"Of all Sailors, they (whalemen) are by all odds the most directly brought into contact with whatever is appalling astonishing in the sea; face to face they not only eye its greatest marvels, but hand to jaw, give battle to them." Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, (1851)

In 1991, Congress directed the National Park Service to prepare a Special Resources Study of New Bedford's historic central and waterfront areas. The North Atlantic Regional Office of the National Park Service was charged with preparing the study.

The following contents provides links to the full text of the study:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Conclusions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Background

Study Purpose and Process

SITE DESCRIPTION

Locational Context

Study Area

Major Characteristics and Features

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Introduction

Historical Significance and Themes

Resources

Conclusions

SUITABILITY

Introduction

Adequacy of Representation of the Theme

Interpretive Potential

Conclusion

FEASIBILITY

Introduction

Potential National Park Location

Feasibility Criteria

Conclusion

MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES

Introduction

Alternative A: New Bedford Whaling National Park

Alternative B: Planning and Interpretive Technical Assistance

Alternative C: Local Action Option

MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES COMPARED

Alternative A: New Bedford Whaling National Park

Alternative B: Planning and Interpretive Technical Assistance

Alternative C: Local Action Option

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Study Team and Contributors

Appendix B: Massachusetts Coastway

Appendix C: National Register Nomination

Appendix D: Environmental Assessment

MAPS

Map I: Regional Setting

Map II: Study Area Context

Map III: Existing New Bedford National Register Districts

Map IV: Proposed Park Boundary