New Bedford Whaling Museum

The Museum is the largest museum in America devoted to the history of the American whaling industry and its greatest port. Through exhibits, publications, and programs, the Museum brings to life the whaling era and the history of the local area. It houses the most extensive collection of art, artifacts, and manuscripts pertaining to American whaling in the age of sail - late eighteenth century to the early twentieth, when sailing ships dominated merchant trade and whaling.

The mission of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society-New Bedford Whaling Museum is to educate and interest all the public in: The historic interaction of humans with whales worldwide; The history of Old Dartmouth and adjacent communities; and Regional maritime activities.

To accomplish this mission, the Society shall: Collect, preserve, and interpret the artifacts and documentary evidence of these endeavors; Maintain a whaling, maritime, and local history museum; Maintain a research library; Promote and disseminate historical research; and Accept and hold historic sites, where appropriate.