Ongoing Gallery Exhibit: Stand Clear the Line: Swordfishing on the SouthCoast
April 2024 – September 2024 | New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) | Included with price of admission
Our newest gallery exhibit explores the fascinating world of commercial swordfishing. Swordfish have been an important fishery for New England for over 200 years, and this majestic fish continues to capture the imagination of fishermen from coast to coast. Explore the history of commercial swordfishing from the age of tall ships to modern times and discover the people who sailed in search of swordfish. This exhibit features a restored swordfish pulpit, harpoons and darts, models and decorated swordfish bills, photographs and video footage, and oral histories from some of Massachusetts’ swordfishing families. On display until September 29, 2024.
This exhibit and related programming are supported by grants from the Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, and Westport Cultural Councils, as well as the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Eversource and the Westport Cultural Council Community Grants, A local agency supported by the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by the Bank of America and the Westport Community Gift Fund.
The Evolution of the Fishing Schooner with Justin Demetri
Thursday, June 20 | 6:00-7:00 PM | FHC (38 Bethel Street) | $5/general admission
Join historian Justin Demetri of Maritime Gloucester for a presentation on the evolution of the fishing schooner at FHC. The story of New England’s most iconic vessel covers over two centuries of fishing innovation. From the colonial Chebacco boats to the famous “Racing Fishermen” of the 1920’s. Included within the larger story are the schooners of New Bedford’s final whaling days and how local schooners began the transition to the Eastern-rig dragger. General Admission: $5/person; FHC Member Admission: Free
Click here to purchase tickets
Justin Demetri grew up in Gloucester’s Italian Fishing Fleet among the fishermen, the boats and the wharves. Today, he is the Historian for Maritime Gloucester as well as an author. Justin also operates buyingseafood.com, a seafood information website for consumers.
Sea Glass Jewelry Class with Melonie Massa
Tuesday, June 25 | 6:00-8:00 PM | FHC (38 Bethel Street) | Pre-registration REQUIRED (see ticketing info below)
Do you have sea glass just sitting around in a jar? Take this 2 hour workshop and learn how you can transform it into wearable, beautiful jewelry! Melonie of Mermaids Baubles will be your instructor and she will bring everything you need to go home with at least 1 (if not 2!) wire-wrapped sea glass pendants.
Sterling Silver-plated wire, optional accent beads, jewelry bag, and tool use is included with your registration fee along with friendly hands-on assistance. Beginners, ages 12 & up, are warmly welcomed! Feel free to bring your own sea glass (a nice triangular shape is the easiest for beginners to wrap) to work with and find out which ones are the most sought after in your collection. If you do not have any, basic pieces will be available.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Tickets:
- $45/general public
- $36/FHC member
Maximum of 15 participants. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.
Please note: This workshop is for ages 12+ (wire manipulation & sharp tool use)
Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey June Sunset Sail – SOLD OUT
Saturday, June 29 | 6:00-8:30pm | New Bedford State Pier | Sold Out!
Set sail aboard the historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey this summer with FHC! These public sails are the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the history of the commercial fishing industry. We invite you to join us this summer for sunset sails departing from New Bedford’s State Pier at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Fishing Heritage Center. The Center is open Thursday – Sunday, 10am-4pm. A portion of the ticket sales support the Center. Remember: FHC members receive a 20% discount!
Tickets:
General Admission: $60 adults | $30 kids ages 4-12
FHC Members: $48 adults | $24 kids ages 4-12*
Free for children 3 and under
*Current FHC members for whom we have emails were sent a PROMO code through their email. If you didn’t receive a code it may be because your membership has lapsed. Not sure? Please contact the Center at (508) 993-8894 or renew your membership online at https://fishingheritagecenter.org/get-involved/membership/.
Please note: Coast Guard regulations require that each passenger, regardless of age, is listed on the ship’s manifest. If you are purchasing multiple tickets, be sure to list each passenger’s name, age, email, phone number, and address.
The schooner was built at the James & Tarr shipyard in Essex, MA as the EFFIE M. MORRISSEY. The 156-foot-long schooner carried Gloucester fishermen to the Grand Banks, Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland in search of cod, haddock, and other species. She later served as an arctic explorer and Cape Verdean packet ship before returning to Massachusetts in 1982 as a gift from the Republic of Cape Verde. After a nearly 20 year restoration, she is sailing once again with Captain Tiffany Krihwan at the helm.
Something Fish Camp Session 1
Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19 | 9:00am-3:00pm | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street) | Applications due June 10
Something Fishy Camp is a free, week-long summer camp for New Bedford students currently enrolled in the 3rd grade hosted by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Over the course of a week, campers learn about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry through hands-on art and science activities, field trips, and presentations. Two one-week sessions will be offered this summer, the first session taking place from July 15-19 and the second session from July 22-26. Applications due June 10.
The Application Portal is Now Closed
Please submit applications to: Something Fishy Camp, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Questions? Call (508) 993-8894 or email programs@fishingheritagecenter.org.
Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey July Sunset Sail — SOLD OUT
Friday, July 19 | 6:00-8:30pm | New Bedford State Pier | Sold Out
Set sail aboard the historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey this summer with FHC! These public sails are the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the history of the commercial fishing industry. We invite you to join us this summer for sunset sails departing from New Bedford’s State Pier at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Fishing Heritage Center. The Center is open Thursday – Sunday, 10am-4pm. A portion of the ticket sales support the Center. Remember: FHC members receive a 20% discount!
Tickets:
General Admission: $60 adults | $30 kids ages 4-12
FHC Members: $48 adults | $24 kids ages 4-12*
Free for children 3 and under
*Current FHC members for whom we have emails were sent a PROMO code through their email. If you didn’t receive a code it may be because your membership has lapsed. Not sure? Please contact the Center at (508) 993-8894 or renew your membership online at https://fishingheritagecenter.org/get-involved/membership/.
Please note: Coast Guard regulations require that each passenger, regardless of age, is listed on the ship’s manifest. If you are purchasing multiple tickets, be sure to list each passenger’s name, age, email, phone number, and address.
The schooner was built at the James & Tarr shipyard in Essex, MA as the EFFIE M. MORRISSEY. The 156-foot-long schooner carried Gloucester fishermen to the Grand Banks, Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland in search of cod, haddock, and other species. She later served as an arctic explorer and Cape Verdean packet ship before returning to Massachusetts in 1982 as a gift from the Republic of Cape Verde. After a nearly 20 year restoration, she is sailing once again with Captain Tiffany Krihwan at the helm.
Something Fish Camp Session 2
Monday, July 22 – Friday, July 26 | 9:00am-3:00pm | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street) | Applications due June 10
Something Fishy Camp is a free, week-long summer camp for New Bedford students currently enrolled in the 3rd grade hosted by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Over the course of a week, campers learn about the Port of New Bedford from whaling days to the present day fishing industry through hands-on art and science activities, field trips, and presentations. Two one-week sessions will be offered this summer, the first session taking place from July 15-19 and the second session from July 22-26. Applications due June 10.
The Application Portal is Now Closed
Please submit applications to: Something Fishy Camp, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Questions? Call (508) 993-8894 or email programs@fishingheritagecenter.org.
Author Talk: Three Sheets to the Wind with Cynthia Barrett
Wednesday, July 31 | 6:00-7:00 PM | FHC (38 Bethel Street) | $5/general admission
Join FHC and special guest Cynthia Barrett on July 31 for a presentation on her book, Three Sheets to the Wind: The Nautical Origins of Everyday Expressions! If you love the ocean, boating, fishing, or word origins, this is the lecture for you. Cynthia will talk about the nautical roots of our everyday words and phrases, such as “filibuster,” “skyscraper,” and “turning a blind eye.” Cynthia will also discuss her research and how her family’s maritime past inspired the book. General Admission: $5/person; FHC Member Admission: Free
Click here to purchase tickets
Cynthia Barrett is an author and editor. She grew up in Bronxville, NY and has strong ties to Long Island. Her father was from Huntington, and her great grandfather George Washington Barrett, and his two brothers were whalers out of Cold Spring Harbor. Cynthia graduated from Smith College and the University of Virginia School of Law. After a brief stint practicing law, Cynthia became a book editor at Doubleday, HarperCollins, and Sterling Publishing. She is an avid sailor and spends as much of the summer as possible on the water with her family in Orient, NY.
Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey August Sunset Sail — SOLD OUT
Friday, August 16 | 6:00-8:30pm | New Bedford State Pier | Sold Out
Set sail aboard the historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey this summer with FHC! These public sails are the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the history of the commercial fishing industry. We invite you to join us this summer for sunset sails departing from New Bedford’s State Pier at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Fishing Heritage Center. The Center is open Thursday – Sunday, 10am-4pm. A portion of the ticket sales support the Center. Remember: FHC members receive a 20% discount!
Tickets:
General Admission: $60 adults | $30 kids ages 4-12
FHC Members: $48 adults | $24 kids ages 4-12*
Free for children 3 and under
*Current FHC members for whom we have emails were sent a PROMO code through their email. If you didn’t receive a code it may be because your membership has lapsed. Not sure? Please contact the Center at (508) 993-8894 or renew your membership online at https://fishingheritagecenter.org/get-involved/membership/.
Please note: Coast Guard regulations require that each passenger, regardless of age, is listed on the ship’s manifest. If you are purchasing multiple tickets, be sure to list each passenger’s name, age, email, phone number, and address.
The schooner was built at the James & Tarr shipyard in Essex, MA as the EFFIE M. MORRISSEY. The 156-foot-long schooner carried Gloucester fishermen to the Grand Banks, Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland in search of cod, haddock, and other species. She later served as an arctic explorer and Cape Verdean packet ship before returning to Massachusetts in 1982 as a gift from the Republic of Cape Verde. After a nearly 20 year restoration, she is sailing once again with Captain Tiffany Krihwan at the helm.
