Calendar

Book Talk: Hometown with John K. Bullard

Thurs. 10/12 7-8PM Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford)

Join the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and John K. Bullard to hear about his time as Mayor of New Bedford during a tumultuous yet significant period for the commercial fishing industry in a special presentation of his new memoir, Hometown. In this deeply moving and thoughtful memoir, Bullard weaves a tale of family legacy intertwined with the pitfalls and promise of New Bedford. Bullard explores the meaning of public service, greater good, personal responsibility, and the ties that bind people to their hometowns. He grapples with immigration, economics, race, poverty, politics, but also the innermost conflicts and ambitions as we make out way in the world. Available for purchase from Spinner Publications. Learn more on their website: http://www.spinnerpub.com/hometown.html

Dock-u-mentary: The Fish on My Plate

Fri. 10/20 7:00-8:30PM New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford)

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s free Dock-u-mentary series, hosted in partnership with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, has returned! On October 20 at 7:00pm, FHC will be featuring The Fish on My Plate, an insightful film that explores fisherman and author Paul Greenberg’s journey to eat only fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a whole year. Total Runtime: 1:24:46.

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

Register here (please select one free ticket per family or couple): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/728934912947?aff=oddtdtcreator

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

dNB FallFest: Spooky Sea Monster Arts and Crafts

Fri. 10/28 12-5 PM Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford)

Join us on Saturday, October 28 for dNB FallFest and support local businesses in downtown New Bedford! We’ll be offering FREE admission to the Center to kids in costume (and accompanying parent or guardian) from 12:00pm to 5:00pm AND giving away candy at the welcome desk. Take some time to explore our exhibits, including Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined to discover spooky sea creatures that lurk beneath the waves. PLUS, make your own sea monster using recycled plastic bottles.

dNB FallFest is brought to you by Downtown New Bedford Inc., a community-led local nonprofit here to hype our hip, historic downtown in New Bedford, MA. dNB FallFest is sponsored in part by NBcreative & Massachusetts Cultural Council. Check out the dNB FallFest event page below to learn more about the other exciting events happening on the 28th: https://downtownnb.org/dnb-fallfest-2023/

November AHA! Night: Mermaid Drawing Class

Thurs. 11/9 5-7PM Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford)

Join the Fishing Heritage Center and local artist Tina Jacobsen deVilliers to learn how to draw your very own mermaid and enter your name in a raffle for a chance to win a hand-painted scallop shell featuring one of deVilliers’ signature mermaids! While you’re here, be sure to explore our newest gallery exhibit, Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined to discover different merfolk from around the world, including Celtic Selkie, Eastern European Rusalka, and West African Mami Wata. In honor of Made in New Bedford, we will also be offering a 10% discount in our gift shop. 

The daughter and granddaughter of fishermen who emigrated from Norway, Jacobsen deVilliers’ scrimshaw, drawings, and paintings have been featured in several of New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s gallery exhibits. Her mermaids have been featured recently in our exhibit Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined as well as in our 2023 Seafood Soirée and Make Waves Online Auction!

Dock-u-mentary: Mami Wata

Fri. 11/17 7:00-8:30PM New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford)

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s free Dock-u-mentary series, hosted in partnership with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, has returned! On November 17 at 7:00pm, we will be teaming up with the New Bedford Art Museum to screen the Nigerian film Mami Wata, a critically-lauded film that was featured at the Sundance Film Festival and explores the relationship between people and water. Mami Wata is a special tie-in with our newest exhibit, Sea Monsters: Real and Imagined. Total Runtime: 1 hour 47 mins.

Content warning: this film includes depictions of violence, adult language, sexuality, and some nudity. Viewer discretion is advised.

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.

Register here (please select one free ticket per family or couple): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/730367929137?aff=oddtdtcreator

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

*If the National Park is closed due to the uncertainty of the government shutdown, the documentary will be screened at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford). Check out our website (fishingheritagecenter.org/calendar) or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates*

dNB Holiday Stroll: Salty Santa & Story Time

Sat. 12/2 12:00-5:00PM New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford)

December AHA! Night: Scallop Shell Decorating & Hot Chocolate

Thu. 12/14 5:00-7:00PM New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford)

Season’s greetings from the Fishing Heritage Center! Stop by the Center from 5pm to 7pm to decorate scallop shells (perfect for holiday ornaments) and enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee. Then, do some last minute holiday shopping in our gift shop. We’re offering a 10% discount in the shop which features wonderful items including clothing, books, jewelry, and more. Perfect for all ages.

Dock-u-mentary: Artifishal: The Fight to Save Wild Salmon

Fri. 12/15 7:00-9:00PM New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William Street, New Bedford)

Join us on Friday, December 15 at 7:00pm for a free screening of Artifishal: The Fight to Save Wild Salmon. This 2019 documentary explores people, rivers, and the fight to save wild salmon and the environments that support them. Artifishal also explores wild salmon’s slide towards extinction, threats posed by fish hatcheries and fish farms, and our continued loss of faith in the environment. Total Runtime: 1 hour 23 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. Doors open at 6:30pm. One ticket per family or couple.

Register here (please select one free ticket per family or couple): https://bit.ly/45RG3QV

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

Casting A Wider Net: A Community Oral History Project