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“A SINGULARLY MARINE & FABULOUS PRODUCE”: THE CULTURES OF SEAWEED

This major exhibition probes humankind’s fascination with seaweed across the nineteenth century and into today, tracking changing aesthetics and modes of representation.

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All Hands

New Bedford Whaling Museum Curator of Maritime History, Michael P. Dyer will explore the deep cultural connections between American whaling and the U.S. Navy in the 19th century up to the First World War.

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The logo for Common Ground. A mosaic of different peoples faces throughout the ages.

What's Your Story?

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is collecting stories that help paint the picture of Greater New Bedford. By lending your voice, you will help create the collective story of the community.

Share Your Story

A photograph of a highly saturated coral reef with schools of fish swimming in the foreground and background. There is text in the middle that reads "Big blue pictures."

New 3D Theater Experience

Big Blue Pictures, a new immersive 3D theater experience at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, is the first and only 3D theater on the SouthCoast of Massachusetts.

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What's Happening

2023 MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Thursday, September 28, 6:00pm

The Whaling Museum is excited to bring the 26th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival to New Bedford again. Join more than 100,000 film lovers across 400 venues and six continents to simultaneously screen and vote on The Final Ten to select the Best Film and Best Actor awards.

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CINEMAR | PORTUGUESE CINEMA IN RELATION TO THE SEA

Friday, September 29 & Saturday, September 30th

Join us for CineMar - a series of Portuguese (with English subtitles), conversations and workshops - on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at the Whaling Museum. CineMar is organized by the Cooperative Break The Anchor, a non-profit organization USA/Portugal and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. – Portuguese Communities. Admission is free, advance registration is required.

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SEAWEED ROUNDTABLE: ARTS AND CULTURE

Thursday, October 5, 6:00-8:00pm

Roundtable discussion with experts in the culture and aesthetics of seaweed – including in painting, decorative arts, literature, and visual and material culture – moderated by Naomi Slipp, Chief Curator, NBWM.

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THE LOCAL HISTORY GUILD

Tuesday, October 10, 6:00 PM

Join informal conversations with experts, aficionados, librarians, archivists, curators, historic preservation specialists, historians, and collectors. Topics run the gamut from commercial fishing to historic houses, to the latest acquisitions, collections, or publications.

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Exhibitions

Seaweed Banner

Rotating Exhibitions

Check out what's on view right now at the Museum.

Lagoda

Permanent Exhibitons

Spend an hour or spend a day at the Museum. There is always something to discover.

Jeffery C. Becton (American; b. 1947), Blue Calm, 2014. Photomontage on aluminum, 42 x 75 inches, image courtesy of the artist.

Upcoming Exhibitons

The Museum is always working on the next big exhibit to bring to our guests. Get a sneak peek at what we're creating for you.

photograph of crewmen at work aboard the bark Sunbeam in 1904

Traveling Exhibitions

Extended beyond the New Bedford Whaling Museum walls.

Online ticketing is now our primary method of selling admission. We have maximum capacity caps in effect at the Museum and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

Adventures at sea, science, history, art, cookbooks, kids' books, and more — the Museum store has something for all the book lovers on your list.

Choose from prints available at 1000 Museums, or request prints of artworks in our collection.

Shop all of our gifts. The Museum store has hundreds of items available, you're sure to find the perfect gift for that special someone on your list!