New Bedford Whaling Museum

About

The New Bedford Whaling Museum, located in the heart of New Bedford's Whaling National Historical Park, tells the extraordinary story of how a small New England seaport shaped global trade, culture, and science in the 18th and 19th centuries. At its peak, New Bedford was the whaling capital of the world — its ships supplied lamp oil that lit homes across the globe, and its population reflected a remarkable diversity of peoples drawn together by the industry. The centerpiece of the museum's permanent collection is the Lagoda, the largest ship model ever built — a half-scale replica of an actual 1826 bark that visitors can board and explore. The museum's natural history collection includes whale skeletons of extraordinary size, including a 66-foot blue whale skeleton suspended in the entrance gallery. Scrimshaw, logbooks, navigational instruments, whaling tools, and fine art round out a collection of more than 750,000 objects. The museum's exhibitions reach beyond whaling history to explore themes of global migration, environmental change, labor history, and the diverse cultures — including Indigenous Pacific Islanders, Cape Verdeans, African Americans, and Azoreans — who populated New Bedford's waterfront community. The museum's Vistas lecture and publication series connects its collections to contemporary topics in art, science, and culture. A 3D theater experience brings ocean and maritime history to life on screen. Education programs serve schools and homeschool families through field trips, classroom resources, apprenticeship programs, and professional development for educators. The museum is open seven days a week.

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