March Dock-u-mentaries: Saving New England Fisheries
Friday, March 15 | 7:00PM | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford) | FREE
Join us for the final Dock-u-mentary film screening of the Fall/Winter series! Saving New England Fisheries is a 2016 documentary film that explores the rise and fall of the Atlantic Cod fishery in the Gulf of Maine, and follows the fishermen, scientists, environmentalists, and local restaurateurs who are fighting to save this famous New England species. Duration: 56 minutes.
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: https://bit.ly/3SI5PT0
Questions? Contact programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894
Swordfishing on the SouthCoast
Thursday, April 11 | 5:00-8:00pm | FHC (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) | FREE
FHC invites you to the opening of our newest exhibit, Stand Clear the Line: Swordfishing on the SouthCoast, on Thursday, April 11. Explore the fascinating world of commercial swordfishing and discover the stories of the people who sailed in search of swordfish. The exhibit will open to the public at 5:00pm. Then at 6:00pm, members of the public will be invited to hear first-hand from local New Bedford fishermen about their experiences catching swordfish on New England’s SouthCoast. The exhibit will be on display until September 30, 2024.
Stand Clear the Line: Swordfishing on the SouthCoast and related programming are supported by Eversource, 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, grants from the Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, and Westport Cultural Councils, as well as the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
April Vacation Camp: Go Fish Camp
April 15 – April 18 | 9:00am – 3:00pm | New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford) | Application period now CLOSED
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center are pleased to announce Go Fish Camp, a FREE camp opportunity during April school vacation week for New Bedford Public School students currently enrolled in the 4th grade. Campers will spend a week learning about four of New Bedford’s fisheries: groundfish, lobsters, scallops, and oysters through hands-on science demos, art activities, and field trips to FHC and the New Bedford waterfront. Camp will primarily take place at the National Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center (33 William Street).
The 2024 application portal is now closed.
Into the Archives
Thursday, May 9 | 5:00-7:00pm | FHC (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford) | FREE
This AHA! Night, explore rarely-seen objects and photographs from our archival collection. FHC’s archivist will also be on-hand to answer questions and discuss the Center’s new online collection database.
Then at 7pm, enjoy Irish Traditional music with the New Bedford Catalpa Ceilidh Band, led by Colin Everett (Golden Lane) on Uilleann pipes in our parking lot! This event will move inside the Fishing Heritage Center if the weather deems necessary.
Please Note: FHC’s parking lot will be CLOSED for the duration of the evening.
Maritime Knot Class with Erika Hamer — CANCELED
June AHA! Night: An Evening of Oysters
Thursday, June 13 | 7:00-8:00 PM | FHC (38 Bethel Street) | Free Admission
Join FHC and special guest Dr. Dale Leavitt of Blue Stream Shellfish/West Island Oysters for an evening of oysters! The oyster has been a staple in local consumer’s diets for eons. Come learn about the oyster’s history followed by a discussion of modern ways of growing oysters in our region. While you’re here, be sure to pick up your tickets for New Bedford’s first Oysterfest, happening on Saturday, June 15th at Cisco Brewers New Bedford. We promise you’ll have a shuckin’ good time!
From developing diets for lobsters in Maine during the 70s and leading the Sea Grant Extension program at Woods Hole to developing the Shellfish Program at Roger Williams University, Dr. Dale Leavitt is known for his knowledge of bivalves aka oysters. For over four decades, Dr. Leavitt has been immersed in aquaculture. His expertise in the science behind the shuck allows West Island Oysters and Blue Stream Shellfish to raise a superior oyster.
New Bedford Oysterfest 2024
Saturday, June 15 | 12:00-3:00pm | Cisco Brewers New Bedford (1482 E Rodney French Blvd) | Purchase tickets here!
Join us at Cisco Brewers New Bedford for the very first New Bedford Oysterfest: a showcase of the local aquaculture scene, brought to you by Cisco Brewers and New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. Indulge in fresh oysters, shucked for you by the growers of some of the region’s best! Sip on craft beers or small batch cocktails as you enjoy live music right on the water.
Tickets
$35 Advance
$40 Last-minute! (Starts June 14)
Your ticket includes:
- Sampling of a half-dozen oysters from local growers shucking and telling their story PLUS discount on additional oysters ($2/oyster)
- One complimentary craft beverage (beer or cocktail can)
- Souvenir shucking knife to bring the oyster experience home
- Live music and a fantastic view
- Proceeds support the Fishing Heritage Center
Whether you’re an oyster aficionado or just aquaculture-curious, you’re not gonna want to miss this epic shellebration!
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.
