Current Exhibitions
Unlike other photographs of colonial Africa from this era, Sowle’s images beautifully depict individuals engaging in daily life and interactions, with no hint of ethnocentrism or stereotyping.
While the Museum exhibits America’s longest painting at the Kilburn Mill, visitors can stand on the bow of the world’s largest model whaleship, the Lagoda, and watch the Panorama scroll by in a life-sized digital format projected in a full theatrical setting.
Set amidst an historic textile mill in New Bedford, this is the first time in generations that the entire Panorama can be seen by the public.
Explore a local South Coast artist working in oil paint, pen and ink and watercolor to create works autobiographical in nature.
A selection of Nicholas Whitman’s recent photographic work adjacent to the Whaling Museum’s Albert Pinkham Ryder painting, Landscape, c. 1870.
Featuring local painters R. Swain Gifford, William Bradford, Lemuel Eldred, Clement Nye Swift, and Charles Henry Gifford.
An exploration of the remarkable life of Manjiro Nakahama (1827-1898), the first Japanese person to live in and learn English in the U.S.
This companion exhibition to Enlightened Encounters focuses on the broader connections between the eastern seaboard of America and Asia.
The first installation of a major expansion of Whales Today, the Museum’s whale ecology, ocean health, and marine mammal conservation exhibition.
An exhibition accompanying Michael Dyer’s new book O’er the Wide and Tractless Sea: Original Art of the Yankee Whale Hunt.
The Museum celebrates the work of the master knot tyer, maritime artist, historian, and author Clifford W. Ashley.
An exhibition accompanying Stan Grayson’s new biography of Joshua Slocum – the first person to circumnavigate the globe singlehandedly.
Four new exhibitions in the Mariners’ Home explore a theme pertaining to the historic home.
Selected World War I posters from the collections of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Featuring Punch and Judy puppets, books, games, and circus memorabilia. The star attraction is an abstract painting by two of New Bedford’s most beloved residents, elephants Ruth and Emily.
Featuring New England Fine and Decorative Arts, including the Museum’s Pairpoint and Mount Washington Glass Collections.
Focusing on the people, products, and infrastructures behind the rhythmic rises and falls of an industrial city.
This exhibition contextualizes the story of yankee whaling within the larger scope of Old Dartmouth history and the evolution of the port city of New Bedford.
This exhibition highlights the men, materials and activities aboard a whaling vessel.
Grab your passport and experience the diversity of cultures encountered by whalers as they travel the world.
A sumptuous exhibition of the best, most representative, and most compelling curiosities of our vast scrimshaw holdings.
A multi-media experience about prominent merchant, philanthropist, community leader, civil rights advocate and abolitionist Captain Paul Cuffe (1759 – 1817).
Connections between New Bedford and Cape Verde, the unique characteristics of Cape Verdean culture, and the special legacy of that culture and history here in New Bedford.
Chronicling Azorean/American cultural exchange in the 19th century.
Climb aboard an 89-foot, half-scale model of the Bark Lagoda, built inside the Bourne Building in 1916.
Come learn about the four whale skeletons at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Explores the human fascination with whales and the history of whaling.
The full spectrum of whaling weaponry devised in the 19th century, from classic harpoons to massive guns, providing new insight into the greatest big-game hunt ever pursued by man.
View outdoor installations on the Museum Plaza, along Water Street and from the Davis Observation Deck.
A replica of a ship's forecastle in the Casa dos Botes Discovery Center.
Figureheads, shipwright's tools, sternboard carvings and more can be found on display in the Cook Memorial Theater.
