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Jul
13
Thu
Ongoing Exhibit: Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined @ New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Jul 13 2023 @ 4:00 pm – Mar 31 2024 @ 4:00 pm

Ongoing Gallery Exhibit: Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined

July 2023 – March 2024; New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford); Included with price of admission

We are excited to announce that we have extended Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined through March 2024! Now’s your chance to discover real-life deep sea creatures as well as sea monsters from myth and legend from around the world. This exhibit also showcases the talents of local artists including Brian Tillett (aka BB the Gun), Christina Jacobsen deVilliers, Erik Durant, Nina Mach, and Wendy and Tony Pires. Keep an eye on our online events calendar and social media pages for related programming including film screenings, presentations, and the return of Unusual Catch Day.
Dec
18
Mon
Casting A Wider Net Oral History Project
Dec 18 @ 4:36 pm – Dec 31 @ 11:45 pm

Casting A Wider Net: A Community Oral History Project

Are you interested in being paid to…

  • learn how to interview people from your community with a connection to the fishing industry
  • record never-before-told stories
  • contribute to an exhibit that will share Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Central American, Mexican, and Puerto Rican people’s contribution to the fishing industry with the broader community
  • network with and learn from local humanities professionals interested in amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups

Apply to participate in Casting A Wider Net, a new community oral history project. Cohort participants will meet in-person for 3 training sessions, 2 interviews, and 1 exhibit opening in 2024 and will work independently to transcribe their interviews. Click here to apply

Deadline to apply: December 31. Applicants must identify as Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Honduran, Mexican, or Puerto Rican. Questions? Email Project Manager Emma York at stories@fishingheritagecenter.org.

Casting A Wider Net is funded in part by Mass Humanities, which received support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  

Dec
24
Sun
FHC Holiday Hours
Dec 24 2023 – Jan 3 2024 all-day

FHC Holiday Hours

Happy Holidays from FHC! A reminder that the Fishing Heritage Center will be closed to the Sunday, December 24 to Wednesday, January 3 to allow staff and volunteers to enjoy the holidays with their families. We hope you will do the same. The Center will reopen to the public in the new year!

Jan
19
Fri
Dock-u-mentaries: Kirby Paint Co.: 4:00pm Presentation @ New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Jan 19 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Dock-u-mentary: Kirby Paint Co: An Illustrated Talk

Fri. 1/19/24 | 4:00PM | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford)

We had such a great response for our January Dock-u-mentary on the history of Kirby Paint Co. that we have decided to add an additional presentation on the 19th! For our first Dock-u-mentary of 2024, join local photographers Phil Mello and Markham Starr along with George Kirby, Jr. on Friday, January 19, at 4:00pm (the 7:00pm presentation is sold out) for an exploration of one of New Bedford’s oldest maritime paint suppliers, the George Kirby, Jr. Paint Company, originally established in 1846. The illustrated presentation will feature historical and contemporary photographs. One hour presentation followed by Q&A with presenters.

Dock-u-mentaries are free and are hosted in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park auditorium at 33 William Street in Downtown New Bedford.

Register here (please select one free ticket per family or couple): https://bit.ly/47x3mAj

Questions? Contact programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894

January Dock-u-mentary: Kirby Paint Co: 7:00pm Presentation @ New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Jan 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dock-u-mentary: Kirby Paint Co: An Illustrated Talk

Fri. 1/19/24 | 7:00PM | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford)

Update: This presentation is SOLD OUT. Please register for the 4:00pm presentation instead: https://bit.ly/47x3mAj

For our first Dock-u-mentary of 2024, join local photographers Phil Mello and Markham Starr along with George Kirby, Jr. on Friday, January 19, at 7:00pm for an exploration of one of New Bedford’s oldest maritime paint suppliers, the George Kirby, Jr. Paint Company, originally established in 1846. The illustrated presentation will feature historical and contemporary photographs. One hour presentation followed by Q&A with presenters.

Dock-u-mentaries are free and are hosted in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park auditorium at 33 William Street in Downtown New Bedford. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Questions? Contact programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894

Jan
24
Wed
Little Mermaid Musical Medley @ New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Jan 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Little Mermaid: A Musical Medley

Wed. 1/24/24 6:00PM New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) FREE

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and Global Learning Charter Public School proudly present The Little Mermaid: A Musical Medley! Join GLCPS students at the Center on Wednesday, January 24, at 6:00pm for rousing renditions of all of your favorite songs from The Little Mermaid and see timeless characters brought to life. Be sure to stop by the Center early to explore our exhibit: Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined and discover merfolk from around the world! FREE admission.

Feb
8
Thu
February AHA! Night: Draw A Fish Boat with Bob Bowers @ New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Feb 8 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Draw A Fish Boat with Bob Bowers

Thursday, February 8 | 5:00pm | FHC (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) | FREE

New Bedford loves local art and artists! This AHA! Night, learn how to draw a fish boat with local artist Bob Bowers. Entirely self-taught, Bowers has an eye for detail and a near perfect recall for boats and their rigs. The son of a local fisherman, Bowers grew up on the New Bedford waterfront and worked as a fisherman. Today, he works for Bay Fuels running a fuel barge.

Feb
16
Fri
February Dock-u-mentaries: Sustaining Sea Scallops @ New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Feb 16 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

February Dock-u-mentaries: Sustaining Sea Scallops

Friday, February 16 | 7:00PM | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford) | FREE

Join us for our February Dock-u-mentary, Sustaining Sea Scallops! This 2016 documentary produced by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) explores how fishermen and scientists along the East Coast – from New Bedford, MA to Seaford, VA – work together to ensure the survival of Atlantic sea scallops. 35 minute film followed by Q&A with CFF staff.

Dock-u-mentaries are free and are hosted in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park auditorium at 33 William Street in Downtown New Bedford.

Register here (please select one free ticket per family or couple): https://bit.ly/3vGbSjp

Questions? Contact programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894

Feb
22
Thu
Lobster Days 2024 @ New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Feb 22 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Lobster Days 2024

Thursday, February 22 | 11:00am – 3:00pm | FHC (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) | FREE

You’re invited to Lobster Days 2024! Explore one of New England’s favorite crustaceans at New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Thursday, February 22 and Friday, February 23 from 11am until 3:00pm! Local lobstermen Dave Casoni and Steve Holler will be on hand to answer questions about commercial lobstering and lead lobster biology demos. Lobsterman and tugboat captain Bruce Gifford will also be showcasing some  of his authentic lobster boat models.

PLUS, try your hand at making a lobster hat or a lobster hand puppet and enjoy lobster-themed story time throughout both days. All Lobster Day programming is FREE and open to the public!

Lobster Days 2024 is made possible through the generous support of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association as well as Mass Cultural Council.

Feb
23
Fri
Lobster Days 2024 @ New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Feb 23 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Lobster Days 2024

Friday, February 23 | 11:00am – 3:00pm | FHC (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) | FREE

You’re invited to Lobster Days 2024! Explore one of New England’s favorite crustaceans at New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Thursday, February 22 and Friday, February 23 from 11am until 3:00pm! Local lobstermen Dave Casoni and Steve Holler will be on hand to answer questions about commercial lobstering and lead lobster biology demos. Lobsterman and tugboat captain Bruce Gifford will also be showcasing some  of his authentic lobster boat models.

PLUS, try your hand at making a lobster hat or a lobster hand puppet and enjoy lobster-themed story time throughout both days. All Lobster Day programming is FREE and open to the public!

Lobster Days 2024 is made possible through the generous support of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association as well as Mass Cultural Council.

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