New Bedford, MA— New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is pleased to announce that AM 1610-Visitor Information Radio Station is officially on air. On May 22, 2003 highway signs were installed on Interstate 195 and Route 140 informing motorists to tune their automobile radios to AM 1610 for New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park visitor information.

The low frequency AM radio station broadcasts from the Paul Revere Sign site and has an approximately 3-5 mile broadcast radius. The message, which plays on a continuous loop, provides motorists with driving directions to access the park from I-195, basic information on the park and its attractions as well as information on park sponsored programming and events. Traveler’s information radio stations are commonly used to provide traffic information in metropolitan areas, but are also used extensively by national and state parks.

According to park Superintendent John Piltzecker, “this radio station is yet another important piece in the development of the park, presenting us with another opportunity to promote the National Park and the City of New Bedford to the thousands of motorists who travel these highways each day.” According to regional planners, it is estimated that more than 8.3 million people travel along Interstate 195 annually, many of these motorists are traveling to destinations throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands.

Visitor information radio station 1610 AM was funded in part by the National Park Service, the City of New Bedford and through a grant provided by the Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Special thanks are in order for the City of New Bedford’s Office of Tourism and Marketing, Wire Department and Department of Public Works for their assistance with the installation of the equipment.

For more information about the park contact New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park at (508) 996-4095, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/nebe.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s 19th century whaling history. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social and environmental history of the United States.

Prepared June 11, 2003

 

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