New Bedford Whaling Museum acquires prized Fortier photography collection

The New Bedford Whaling Museum has acquired the extensive and exciting collection of professional photography created by New Bedford-born Norman Fortier during the period from 1947-2003.

The collection includes more than 100,000 negatives surrounding his interests of yachting, aerial views, coastlines, hurricanes, landscapes, boat building, the fishing fleet, and local scenes. He concentrated on photographing vessels in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound.

"This is a seminal acquisition that speaks directly to our mission to educate and interest the public in local maritime history," said Anne B. Brengle, executive director of the Museum.

"Norman Fortier is one of the region’s most important and gifted maritime photographers," said Museum Director of Curatorial Affairs Michael Jehle. " His work captures an exciting period of yachting and fishing on Buzzards Bay.

Presently a watercolorist with a studio on Elm Street in Dartmouth, Mr. Fortier is known to many for his great work in the 1968 book The Bay and the Sound, which he co-authored with John Parkinson, Jr. The book illustrates the pleasures of sailing as well as presents an extended portrait of the New England coast from Newport to Nantucket.

According to yachting historian Llewellyn Howland III, "more than 10,000 pleasure boats, fishing vessels, and commercial craft have gained a measure of immortality when they came within range of Norman Fortier’s camera and pursuit boat. Fortier’s images are both essential pieces of our region’s maritime history and works of art."

A limited edition folio of photographs will be given to those who make gifts of $2500 or more to help raise funds for the acquisition, cataloging and preservation of the collection. The folio will include 10 rag-matted 11x14 photos representative of the collection. Each folio box also will be numbered and signed by Mr. Fortier. For more information, contact Director of Development Helena Hartnett at 508 997-0046, ext. 112.

A major exhibition is planned for June 2005.