Mariners’ Home in New Bedford, Massachusetts
The Mariners’ Home was built by William Rotch Jr. in 1787 on the corner of Water and William streets. He and his family lived there until moving to what is now known as the Rotch-Jones-Duff House in 1834 (Rotch built this house as well). He turned his former William Street home into a commercial rental property. After his death in 1850, the house was donated to the New Bedford Port Society, which ran the Seamen’s Bethel, and it was moved to this location on Johnny Cake Hill. In 1851 it reopened as a boarding house for transient sailors and operated as such into the 1960s.
The Mariners’ Home is still owned by the New Bedford Port Society. It was formerly open to the public when the New Bedford Whaling Museum had exhibits on the lower floor, but that lease has expired and now the building is used as office space. The Seamen’s Bethel next door is open to the public.
Limited street parking is available on Johnny Cake Hill, so unless you are disabled, do yourself a favor and park in the public garage on Elm Street and walk the two blocks to the buildings.
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Last updated on November 24, 2025
