New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center | New Bedford

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is a premier cultural and educational institution dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and interpreting the rich history and contemporary significance of New Bedford’s commercial fishing industry. Located at 38 Bethel Street in the heart of New Bedford’s historic Seaport Cultural District, the Center offers a deeply immersive experience that connects visitors with the maritime traditions, labor, and diverse communities that have shaped the city’s waterfront for centuries.

Historical and Cultural Context

New Bedford has long been recognized as one of the most important fishing ports in the United States, particularly famous for its global dominance in the 19th-century whaling industry and later for its robust groundfish and scallop fisheries. The Fishing Heritage Center focuses on the people behind this legacy-the fishermen, women, dockworkers, processors, and families-whose stories of resilience, innovation, and community remain vital to the city’s identity.

The Center was founded with the mission to document and honor the working waterfront's cultural, social, and economic impact, while also addressing issues facing the industry today, such as sustainability, changing labor practices, and the integration of immigrant communities.

Exhibitions

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center features a range of thoughtfully designed permanent and rotating exhibits that blend artifacts, multimedia, oral histories, and interactive displays. These exhibits provide a multi-dimensional understanding of the fishing industry’s evolution, the daily lives of those who work on the waterfront, and the broader cultural context.

More Than a Job: This cornerstone exhibit simulates the experience of life aboard a scallop fishing vessel. Visitors step into a detailed replica of a working deckhouse complete with authentic equipment like scallop dredges, galley tables, and bunks. Over sixty oral histories play throughout the space, sharing voices from fishermen and their families, capturing the physical demands, dangers, camaraderie, and traditions that define fishing life.

Casting A Wider Net: This exhibit highlights the vital contributions of immigrant communities to New Bedford’s fishing industry. Through personal stories, photographs, and artifacts, it showcases the roles of Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Guatemalan, and Salvadoran fishery workers, celebrating the cultural diversity that sustains the waterfront today.

Stand Clear the Line: Focusing on the region’s swordfishing history, this exhibit features a restored swordfish pulpit-a small platform mounted on the bow of swordfishing boats-and harpoon darts, accompanied by photographs and oral histories from families with multi-generational ties to swordfishing.

Hauling Back: A mini-exhibit series that documents notable fishing families like the Pasquill family of Turk’s Seafood, using photographs, film footage, and recorded memories to trace family legacies tied to the fishing trade.

Each exhibit uses innovative storytelling techniques, combining historic artifacts with modern technology such as audio recordings and interactive displays, allowing visitors to engage actively with the material.

Educational and Community Programs

Education is a core component of the Center’s mission, with a variety of programs tailored to different age groups and interests, aiming to increase awareness about maritime heritage, environmental stewardship, and workforce history:

Hands-on Learning: Programs such as All Hands on Deck introduce students to safety at sea, including demonstrations with survival suits and interactive stories about life aboard fishing vessels.

Cultural Exploration: Sea Monsters Real & Imagined encourages students to connect with maritime folklore, creativity, and storytelling through crafts and imaginative play.

Historical Perspectives: Programs like Change Over Time help students understand labor changes, technological innovation, and sustainability issues affecting fisheries.

Walk the Working Waterfront: Guided tours led by longtime waterfront insiders provide in-depth knowledge of the historic and current fishing industry, including visits to docks, processing facilities, and landmarks, offering a living history experience.

Additionally, the Center hosts monthly events such as AHA! Nights, which extend visiting hours and provide special programming including guest speakers, film screenings, and performances, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange.

Visitor Experience

The Center occupies a waterfront-adjacent building that is designed for accessibility and engagement. Upon arrival, visitors encounter:

Immersive Exhibits: Authentic maritime equipment, recreated vessel interiors, and multimedia installations transport visitors into the world of commercial fishing.

Audio and Video Oral Histories: Personal stories from fishermen, captains, and family members narrate the challenges and triumphs of working life on the sea.

Museum Store: Offering locally made crafts, books on maritime history, and educational materials related to fishing and the coastal environment.

Support Facilities: The Center provides group tour arrangements, educational outreach, and resources for researchers and community members interested in maritime heritage.

Admission is modestly priced, with discounts for seniors, students, military personnel, and free entry for children under 12 and members. There are also combined ticket options to visit other nearby cultural institutions, encouraging visitors to explore New Bedford’s broader historical and artistic landscape.

Location and Context

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is strategically located within the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, near other important attractions such as the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Art Museum. This proximity creates a rich cultural corridor along the waterfront, blending histories of whaling, fishing, immigration, and urban development.

The Center sits steps from the working docks where commercial fishing vessels still unload fresh catch daily, providing visitors with the unique opportunity to witness an active maritime economy alongside historic interpretation.

Impact and Importance

The Center serves not only as a museum but also as a community hub that preserves the voices and experiences of an often-overlooked working class. It bridges past and present by highlighting ongoing issues like sustainable fishing practices, economic challenges facing the industry, and the multicultural fabric of New Bedford’s waterfront.

Its programming supports workforce development, cultural preservation, and tourism, contributing to the economic and social vitality of the city. The Center is a vital resource for researchers, educators, artists, and policy makers interested in maritime industries, labor history, and cultural heritage.

Practical Information

Address: 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Hours: Thursday through Monday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and major holidays)

Admission: Adults $8, Seniors and Students $5, Children under 12 free, with special discounts and membership benefits

Contact: Phone (508) 993-8894

Summary

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center offers a comprehensive, engaging, and authentic window into the lives, struggles, and contributions of those who sustain one of America’s most important fishing communities. Through its rich exhibits, educational programs, and community initiatives, it ensures that the stories and traditions of New Bedford’s fishing industry continue to inform, inspire, and connect generations both locally and beyond.