A Transformational moment

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is poised to create a premier Welcome and Exhibition Center for future generations. By expanding galleries, community spaces, and program areas, we will spark curiosity and connect the community.

The new 20,000-square-foot Welcome and Exhibition Center includes a 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art gallery level that displays the Panorama and other important works from our collection and hosts exhibitions co-curated with major institutions.

Modern museum lobby with curved staircase, reception desk, seating area, and large colorful artwork.

For 120 years, millions have gathered on Johnny Cake Hill for education and inspiration. Now, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is poised to create a premier Welcome and Exhibition Center for future generations that extends our mission to ignite learning through explorations of art, history, science, and culture.

Welcome

Providing a warm and accessible entry point, the new Welcome and Exhibition Center will be a springboard for learning, discovery, and connection.

A dynamic new street-level floor – featuring an expansive welcome area, expanded retail, and ‘community living room’ with a café – will improve the admission experience, invite exploration, and encourage relaxation for visitors and community members.

Exhibitions

Stepping onto the show-stopping second floor, visitors will enter the most sizable and sophisticated special exhibition space south of Boston.

This custom-designed, flexible level of over 6,000 square feet will unleash the power of our curatorial team by tripling our current rotating exhibition space, including custom climate control, lighting and enhanced security.

Connection

A completely redesigned plaza and accessible pedestrian walkway will physically and visually connect our current campus with the shaded groves and terraces of the new Center, activating one of the most visible vacant properties in downtown New Bedford.

Inside and out, the new Center will invite visitors and community members to gather, learn, and reflect.

Architectural rendering of the interior of the New Bedford Whaling Museum store. The space features a modern design with built-in wooden shelves lining the left wall, displaying books, decorative objects, and souvenirs. In the center, wooden display tables showcase various items for sale. A glass wall on the right provides a view of the cobblestone street outside, where pedestrians and cyclists pass by. A man browses near the window, while another visitor walks through the store, adding to the welcoming and open atmosphere.

FAQ and Naming Opportunities

THE NBWM IS THE SOUTHCOAST’S HOME FOR ART, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND CULTURE

$31.5M: Total cost of the new Welcome and Exhibition Center

Groundbreaking: Summer 2025

Completion: Fall 2026

20,000 new square feet: Includes state-of-the-art gallery floor, as well as a welcome center, community living room/café, retail space, loading dock and collections handling area

One new urban plaza will unite new and existing campuses across William Street

$10M - $12M: economic activity generated annually through Museum activities and visitor spending

$24M raised to date (as of April 30, 2025)

$3M: investment by the City of New Bedford through ARPA grant programs

Capital Campaign Committee

Douglas Crocker II, Co-Chair
Hardwick Simmons, Co-Chair
Paulina Arruda
Christina Bascom
Jewelle & Nathaniel Bickford
Betsy Fallon
James S. Hughes
Betts Howes Murray & F. Wisner Murray
Anthony R. Sapienza
Tricia & Chris Schade
Bernadette Souza
Carol M. Taylor, Ph.D.
R. Davis Webb, Ph.D.
Wistar Wood