New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

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New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
National Park Service photo[photo]
Historic photo of sail making at New Bedford
National Park Service photo
Designated by Congress on November 12, 1996, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park commemorates the heritage of the world's preeminent whaling port during the 19th century. It encompasses 34 acres spread over 13 city blocks along the New Bedford waterfront and includes a visitor center, several historic buildings and the Schooner Ernestina. It also includes the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, both of which are private, nonprofit partner institutions. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret how the town's whaling industry contributed to America's economic and political vitality. The park's enabling legislation also established a legislative connection with the Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska, to commemorate the more than 2,000 whaling voyages from New Bedford to the Western Arctic.

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Visitor Center of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Photo by and courtesy of Galen R Frysinger, www.galenfrysinger.com

The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 33 William St. It is owned and operated by the National Park Service and open to the public throughout the year from 9:00am to 5:00pm; closed on New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission to the park is free, but there is a small fee to enter the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. Please call 508-996-4095 or visit the park's website to obtain the most up-to-date tour information. For further information, also visit the websites of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum.

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