Whale skeleton and whaleboat at the New Bedford Whaling Museum
PARK OVERVIEW
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was established by the U. S. Congress in 1996 to commemorate the history of the whaling industry, the fifth most valuable in America prior to the discovery of petroleum in 1859. It may see odd, or even off-putting, to honor a practice that today is regarded as heinous, but whaling was an important part of American history. Wherever you go in the park, the topic is presented in its historical context. History is not rewritten with the modern pen; no apology is ever made for nearly wiping out a species.
New Bedford was chosen as the home for the National Historical Park because it was the world’s leading whaling town in the 1800s. In the 16- and 1700s, America’s whaling fleet was based on the island of Nantucket. At that time whales were hunted close to shore, but by the 1800s these whales had been largely exterminated and ships had to travel farther and farther out to sea. Such travel required larger ships, and the waters around Nantucket were too shallow to support them. With its deep harbor, New Bedford quickly became the headquarters of the largest whaling fleet in the world, as well as home to many of the wealthiest merchants in America. Whaling peaked in 1860, and as petroleum replaced whale oil as a source of energy, the New Bedford whaling fleet dwindled down to one last ship by 1925.
Prior to petroleum, whale oil was the dominate source of oil for lighting. It was also used to make margarine, soap and other industrial cleaners, and lubricants all the way up until the early 1970s when the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed.
Display of products made from whale oil
Whale bone, teeth, and baleen were also turned into useful products. Baleen was used to make skirt hoops and corsets by the fashion industry—by 1900 corset production made baleen more valuable than whale oil. Bone and teeth were carved or etched for decorative purposes just as elephant ivory. Creating whale bone art, known as scrimshaw, was a popular pastime for whalers as they endured boredom on voyages that lasted two to four years. Eskimos and other native people of the north had been creating such art for centuries.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park consists of a variety of attractions in a thirteen-block area of downtown New Bedford, some owned by the National Park Service and others operated in partnership with the federal government. Attractions include the National Park Service Visitor Center, which includes a small museum that covers the history of New Bedford and the creation of the park; the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the world’s largest American whaling and maritime museum; the Mariner’s House, a boarding house for transient sailors; and the Seamen’s Bethel, a church filled with memorials to sailors who died at sea. The Bethel was made famous after being the setting for a scene in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Melville lived the life of a whaler himself for 18 months, departing out of New Bedford in January 1841 aboard the Acushnet.
Prow-shaped pulpit in the Whaleman’s Chapel of the Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford, Massachusetts
One other attraction, though not in downtown, is the Rotch-Jones-Duff House, a mansion representative of those built with whaling money. The house serves as both a historical home, complete with furnishings, and a museum about the wealthy whaling merchants who once lived in the house.
Rotch-Jones-Duff House in New Bedford, Massachusetts
Visitors to New Bedford are also encouraged to take a self-guided walking tour of the New Bedford Historic District. The tour passes all of the above listed attractions plus many historical homes and businesses.
OPERATING HOURS
Visitor Center
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- May-November: Wednesdays though Sundays
- December-April: Wednesdays through Saturdays
- Closed most major holidays except Independence Day and Veterans Day
Times can always change, so be sure to get the current schedule on the National Park Service’s official Basic Information web page for New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Other Attractions
The New Bedford Whaling Museum, Semen’s Bethel, and Rotch-Jones-Duff House are all privately owned. See the following websites for operating schedules:
FEES
There are no fees associated with entering the park’s Visitor Center. While no fees are required to visit the Seamen’s Bethel, donations are welcomed. There are fees to visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House. See the above mentioned websites for the current costs.
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center
allow 1 to 1.5 hours
Ranger-guided tour of New Bedford Historic District
allow 1 hour
New Bedford Whaling Museum
allow 2+ hours
Seamen’s Bethel
allow 30 minutes
Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum
allow 1 to 1.5 hours
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on November 25, 2025
