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The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
November 12, 1996. President William J. Clinton today signed into law the omnibus parks bill, making The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park official.
October 3, 1996. The 104th Congress passed an omnibus parks bill which includes a provision to designate a 13 block, 20 acre area of the city of New Bedford as The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Hats off to the many officials, organizations, businesses, and individuals who worked long and hard to make this a reality!
A partial text (full text) of the bill (S. 608, Calendar 599) follows:
FINDINGS- The Congress finds that--
(1) the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District and
associated historic sites as described in section 3(b) of this
Act, including the Schooner Ernestina, are National Historic
Landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic
Places as historic sites associated with the history of whaling
in the United States;
(2) the city of New Bedford was the 19th century capital of
the world's whaling industry and retains significant
architectural features, archival materials, and museum
collections illustrative of this period;
(3) New Bedford's historic resources provide unique
opportunities for illustrating and interpreting the whaling
industry's contribution to the economic, social, and
environmental history of the United States and provide
opportunities for public use and enjoyment; and
(4) the National Park System presently contains no sites
commemorating whaling and its contribution to American history.
(4) 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 activities; and
(5) the National Park System presently contains no sites
commemorating whaling and its contribution to American history.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) The term `park' means the New Bedford Whaling National
Historical Park established by section 3.
(2) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.
SEC. 3. NEW BEDFORD WHALING NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT- In order to preserve for the benefit and
inspiration of the people of the United States as a national
historical park certain districts structures, and relics located in
New Bedford, Massachusetts, and associated with the history of
whaling and related social and economic themes in America, there is
established the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
(b) BOUNDARIES- (1) The boundaries of the park shall be those
generally depicted on the map numbered NAR-P49-80000-4 and dated
June 1994. Such map shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
In case of any conflict between the descriptions set forth in
subparagraphs (A) through (D) and such map, such map shall govern.
The park shall include the following:
(A) The area included within the New Bedford National
Historic Landmark District, known as the Bedford Landing
Waterfront Historic District, as listed within the National
Register of Historic Places and in the Massachusetts State
Register of Historic Places.
(B) The National Historic Landmark Schooner Ernestina, with
its home port in New Bedford.
(C) The land along the eastern boundary of the New Bedford
National Historic Landmark District over to the east side of
MacArthur Drive from the Route 6 overpass on the north to an
extension of School Street on the south.
(D) The land north of Elm Street in New Bedford, bounded by
Acushnet Avenue on the west, Route 6 (ramps) on the north,
MacArthur Drive on the east, and Elm Street on the south.
(2) In addition to the sites, areas and relics referred to in
paragraph (1) , the Secretary may assist in the interpretation and
preservation of each of the following:
(A) The southwest corner of the State Pier.
(B) Waterfront Park, immediately south of land adjacent to
the State Pier.
(C) The Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, located at
396 County Street.
(D) The Wharfinger Building, located on Piers 3 and 4.
(E) The Bourne Counting House, located on Merrill's Wharf.
(c) RELATED FACILITIES- To ensure that the contribution of Alaska
Natives to the history of whaling in the United States is fully
recognized, the Secretary shall provide--(1) financial and other
assistance to establish links between the New Bedford Whaling
National Historical Park and the North Slope Borough Cultural
Center, located in Barrow, Alaska; and (2) to provide other
appropriate assistance and funding for the North Slope Borough
Cultural Center.
More Information about Barrow, Alaska
CITY OF BARROW
Box 629, Barrow, AK 99723
(907) 852-5211
Alaska Department of Community & Regional Affairs Community Database
Blake's Barrow Alaska Page
Barrow High School
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