Collections Show & Tell

We steward a Collection of more than 750,000 objects and only a small percentage is on display at any given time. Each object has a story of its own and, in this video series, Museum experts take you behind-the-scenes to show you some of their favorites. 

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three items from the collection

 

Collections Show & Tell – Episode 1: A Ship’s Wreck

This ship relic was retrieved in the water off the coast of Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts in the mid-1980’s.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 2: Waifs & Whales

An artifact with a purpose, used by whalemen during their time out at sea.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 3: Artifact Array

This video introduces us to a variety of artifacts in the Museum’s off-site storage facility, related to whaling and whales.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 4: Behind the Scenes

Curatorial staff is bringing you to work with them. See what they do behind the scenes in Collections storage.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 5: Sewed Up

A sewing machine station with a story, from the mid-20th century, typical of those used in the New Bedford mills.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 6: Sea Sailing Desk

A Winthrop style secretary desk that is unique in its own right.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 7: Draft Away

This is a rather sad artifact from New Bedford’s history.
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 8: Take a Seat

Why does the Museum have so many chairs in the collection?
Collections Show & Tell – Episode 9: Music in the Air

Learn more about this mid-1850’s melodeon, made in New Bedford, and how it works.