New Bedford Historic District
Visitor Information Center
33 William St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-996-4095
The National Park encompases a 13 block, 20 acre area in the historic district of the city of New Bedford. The park includes the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District, the National Historic Landmark Schooner Ernestina, the southwest corner of the State Pier, Waterfront Park, the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, the Wharfinger Building, and the Bourne Counting House.
Also within the National Park are several fine examples of Greek Revival
architecture, restored
buildings, restaurants, shops, businesses, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Seamen's
Bethel, the Double Bank Building, the Rodman Candleworks, and the U. S. Custom
House.
The Park also has an affiliated area in Barrow, Alaska. During the nineteenth century, over two thousand whaling voyages sailed out of New Bedford for the Arctic region of Alaska, and joined Alaska Natives from Barrow, Alaska and other areas in the Arctic region in subsistence whaling. One of the Park's directives is to ensure that the contribution of Alaska Natives to the history of whaling in the United States is fully recognized and establish links between the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the The Iñupiat Hertiage Center, in Barrow, Alaska.
The Park was created in October of 1996 when the 104th Congress passed the omnibus parks bill. President Clinton signed the parks bill into law in November of 1996.
The city of New Bedford was the 19th century capital of the world's whaling industry. The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park's mission is to preserve, protect, and interpret certain districts, structures, and artifacts that are associated with the history of whaling and related social, economic, and environmental themes. The National Park Service works with its partners to preserve and interpret the nationally significant resources within the park.
The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is the result of the perseverance of many officials, organizations, businesses, and individuals who worked long and hard to get this designation for the City of New Bedford.
