New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Maritime heritage site in New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park spans 34 acres across thirteen city blocks, with historic buildings, museums, and maritime artifacts documenting the region's whaling past. The site preserves homes, warehouses, and commercial structures that together show how a major trading port looked and functioned.
New Bedford became the leading whaling port in the 19th century, with thousands of ships departing for extended journeys to the Western Arctic to hunt whales. The city's economic power rested on this trade, but the industry's decline toward the century's end gradually weakened the port's position.
The park acknowledges the relationship between New Bedford's whaling fleet and Arctic Indigenous communities, particularly the Iñupiat people whose resources and labor were essential to the industry. This connection shapes how the site tells its story, moving beyond celebrating the whalers to include the voices of those directly affected by their expeditions.
Start your visit at the Visitor Center inside the Third District Courthouse, where staff can guide you to walking tours and answer questions about the sites. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring the thirteen blocks on foot takes several hours and involves walking through historic neighborhoods.
The park preserves Federal, Greek Revival, and Italianate buildings built between 1790 and 1855, reflecting the wealth that whale hunting brought to the city. This architectural diversity shows how rapidly and dramatically the city transformed during its prosperous whaling years.
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