UMass Dartmouth offering Creative Economy Lecture Series

UMass Dartmouth’s College of Visual and Performing Arts is presenting an intriguing lecture series that may interest WHALE supporters. Titled “Urban Renewal and Creative Economy in Massachusetts Gateway Cities,” the talks will include topics such as: exploring the re-use of abandoned buildings and land, motivating the private sector into energy retrofits and smart growth with […]

First Half-Century in pictures

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]They say a picture is worth a thousand words. We invite you to experience WHALE’s first half-century in pictures. Enjoy this ‘slide show’ produced by WHALE Board member Jay Avila, of Spinner Publications. You’ll be astonished to see what New Bedford looked like 50+ years ago, before WHALE was born. You’ll mourn the loss of […]

Help for older churches and synagogues is on its way

As part of its continuing mission to help save valuable historic buildings, WHALE, in conjunction with the Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford and the City, is planning a Historic Religious Properties Workshop for congregations and parishes in New Bedford that own historic buildings. There are at least 56 such properties in the city. Historic […]

Attorney Michael Murray named WHALE President

WHALE’s new Board President, Michael J. Murray, is an attorney in private practice in New Bedford, specializing in labor law. In June, he assumed a new position in Boston on the staff of Senator Mark Montigny, as Bureau Chief and Counsel to the Massachusetts’ Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight. Murray is well-known in […]

Wendy Nicholas to be Interim Director

WHALE has hired Wendy Nicholas as Interim Executive Director, following the departure of longtime director, Lisa Bergson. Nicholas was for many years Director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Northeast Regional Office in Boston. There, she worked with many of the region’s preservation nonprofits – including WHALE – to build their strength, improve their […]

Leadership Changes at WHALE

WHALE recently announced that it has new leadership, both of its Board of Directors and the staff. At WHALE’s annual meeting in May, members elected attorney Michael J. Murray as President, replacing Lyn Keith, who will continue to serve on the Board. In June, the Board appointed Wendy Nicholas as Interim Executive Director, following Lisa […]

One Washington Square Reconstruction Begins

Phase One of the reconstruction of One Washington Square has begun. This phase, which is overseen by general contractor Wayne Construction, involves excavating the site, pourng the foundation, and building the first floor kneewall then capping it. Wayne Construction also built the new roof on the Howland House and is an experienced preservation contractor. Yesterday, at […]

One Washington Square Reconstruction

In January 2008, days before WHALE’s Board was set to take a vote to acquire and rehabilitate the magnificent Queen Anne located at One Washington Square, the abandoned historic property was lost to arson. An icon of the historic Washington Square neighborhood, WHALE heard neighbors’ pleas to “bring back our house”. Since WHALE had sufficient […]

Groundbreaking News!

Join WHALE and the CITY OF NEW BEDFORD at the Groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of One Washington Square at the site of the iconic Queen Anne home once located at the junction of County and South Sixth Streets in New Bedford on Thursday, November 10 at 10AM. Residents of the Washington Square neighborhood in […]

Abandoned, Historic Allen Street Building SAVED

And, on a Path to Rehabilitation. For nearly two decades, the historic Second Empire mixed use building located at 24 Allen Street has been abandoned and forlorn.  But, not for long. Today, the building is on a path to rehabilitation and reuse – once again becoming a catalyst for revitalization and change at a key […]