2013 Walking Tours Announced

Park volunteers and rangers lead walking tours for all.

NPS

News Release Date: May 23, 2013

Contact: Emily Prigot, 508-996-4095 x6105

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park offers free walking tours 

Weekends Memorial Day weekend through June 

New Bedford, MA-New Bedford has a long and fascinating history, filled with stories of whalemen going to sea for years a time, wives left to run businesses, escaped slaves seeking freedom, and a connection to the sea that spans centuries. The public is invited to explore this history through free guided tours, offered seven days a week in July and August, at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. Tours leave from New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park's visitor center, located in downtown New Bedford. Daily tours start on Monday, July 8. The park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.

Tours will include Risks and Rewards of Whaling, Unknown Heroes and Their Secrets: New Bedford's Underground Railroad; New Bedford's Working Waterfront: Then and Now, and In Ishmael's Footsteps: Herman Melville's New Bedford. 

Jen Nersesian, superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, said, "Our national park is proud to offer these tours to our public. The stories of whaling are connected to so many people around the world---they are everyone's stories. Our walking tours are just one way we connect visitors to this amazing history. We especially look forward to seeing folks from New Bedford and surrounding towns drop by." 

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America's nineteenth century whaling industry. 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. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-3 PM. The visitor center is accessible to all. Admission is free. For additional information and schedules, go to the park website at www.nps.gov/nebe, call 508-996-4095, and visit the park's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP -NPS