Photographer Phil Mello will present, “Working on the Waterfront: Stories Behind the Images,” an illustrated talk about shore side industries in New Bedford. The images and stories that will be featured are part of a project conducted by the Fishing Heritage Center through an Archie Green Fellowship from the Library of Congress. Phil Mello acted as the project photographer.
This program takes place on AHA! Night and is free and open to the public.
Learn about the history of decorative knots and how to make them yourself with artist Alex Buchanan. Students will practice making basic knots and work their way to more complicated forms before making their own coasters to take home! This is a challenging class, so come prepared to learn this new skill!
Alex Buchanan is an artist and merchant marine who studied fine art at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Alex also served four years active duty and began his journeys at sea in the U.S. Coast Guard. He focuses on his maritime influences and conveys them as a visual language by layering literal and conceptual translations using related symbology.
$25/members, $30/general public. All materials are provided.
Class is for students ages 12+.
Stop by the Fishing Heritage Center on Thursday, February 20th and Friday, February 21st from 10:00am- 4:00pm for some lobster-themed family fun! Join us for lobster story time, lobster crafts, and the chance to learn about lobstering from the pros. All programs are free and open to the public.
11:00am- “Going Lobstering” storytime
1:00pm- “A Day in the Life” presentation by Dave Casoni (Thursday, February 20) and Steve Holler (Friday, February 21) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association
10:00am- 4:00pm- Crafts ongoing
11:00am- 3:00pm- Dave Casoni (Thursday, February 20) and Steve Holler (Friday, February 21) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association will be at the Center to answer questions and talk all about lobstering
This event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association and Liberty Lobster
Stop by the Fishing Heritage Center on Thursday, February 20th and Friday, February 21st from 10:00am- 4:00pm for some lobster-themed family fun! Join us for lobster story time, lobster crafts, and the chance to learn about lobstering from the pros. All programs are free and open to the public.
11:00am- “Going Lobstering” storytime
1:00pm- “A Day in the Life” presentation by Dave Casoni (Thursday, February 20) and Steve Holler (Friday, February 21) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association
10:00am- 4:00pm- Crafts ongoing
11:00am- 3:00pm- Dave Casoni (Thursday, February 20) and Steve Holler (Friday, February 21) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association will be at the Center to answer questions and talk all about lobstering
This event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association and Liberty Lobster
Mark’s first job in the fisheries – unloading the day’s catch from vessels returning to Point Judith, Rhode Island – was just a temporary way to earn some money while visiting friends after college. He simply never intended to become a commercial fisherman, and yet some 40 years later he is still at it, fishing his own boat, the Erica Knight. In this film, Mark discusses his daily life as a lobsterman and some of the challenges he faces on a daily basis. This film is part of a larger series documenting the commercial fishery in Point Judith for the Library of Congress. Filmmaker Markham Starr will speak briefly about the film and answer any audience questions.
Films about the commercial fishing industry and other aspects of the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the theater of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street. Presented by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. The program is free and open to the public.
Interested in volunteering with the Fishing Heritage Center? Join the crew! From 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7th, prospective volunteers are invited to attend an orientation session. The session will include an overview of the mission and activities of the Center as well as an introduction to the commercial fishing industry. Light refreshments will be provided.
In the coming months, volunteers will have opportunities to participate in insider tours to learn first-hand about the commercial fishing industry, along with periodic talks presented by industry experts.
Volunteer opportunities include welcoming visitors, staffing the reception area and gift shop, engaging visitors with the exhibits, assisting with educational programs, and helping with special events. Additionally, volunteers may assist the Center in doing historical research and maintaining a growing archive of photographs and documents. Training is provided.
For those with a fishing industry connection, there are opportunities to share your knowledge with visitors by leading walking tours, speaking to school groups, and demonstrating skills such as net mending, knot tying, or model boat making, etc.
Volunteers are needed during Center operating hours (Thursday-Sunday 10-4) and for occasional evening programs and special events. Volunteer hours are flexible and can be scheduled according to individual availability and particular areas of interest.
For more information please contact the Fishing Heritage Center at: operations@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.
Break out your boards and sign up now for our Cribbage Tournament! This will be a points-based tournament, so those who score the most points will win gift cards to Oxford Creamery and the Fishing Heritage Center gift shop — plus bragging rights! Chowder will be provided by Oxford Creamery.
Reserve your spot for free using the Brown Paper Tickets link or by calling the Center at 508-993-8894.
Matthew Byrne is a traditional singer, storyteller, & guitarist from Newfoundland. Storytelling through song is a fundamental duty of traditional music and Matthew Byrne does this brilliantly. His repertoire has been shaped by his musical upbringing and Byrne supports this tradition with powerful vocals, polished guitar work, and a presence that fills the room.
Tickets are $12/Members, $15/General Public. Buy your tickets at the Brown Paper Tickets link or by calling the Center at 508-993-8894.
Mary Stanley, known as Fish Mary, was a figure on the New Bedford waterfront and the only female lumper in the 1950s and 1960s. Members of Fish Mary’s family and lumpers and fishermen who worked with her will share stories of her life and work.
This program takes place on AHA! Night and is free and open to the public.
Join us (virtually!) on Thursday, April 9th for an illustrated talk by photographer Phil Mello. Phil has worked on the New Bedford waterfront for 40+ years and has been taking photographs of waterfront fellow workers since 1975. As an insider with direct knowledge of the fishing industry, he has access to what is often a closed community. Phil will share photos and stories about the working waterfront.
Join our Zoom webinar to hear and see Phil’s presentation by clicking here.
This program takes place on April’s virtual AHA! Night. Learn more by visiting the AHA! website.