WHALE’s annual preservation awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on individuals and organizations who demonstrate dedication to community, history, culture and preservation through in their own ways. Be it through the loving and ongoing rehabilitation of their home, to the creation of a new park, to the sparking curiosity through educational walking tours of the city’s neighborhoods, all our award recipients not only embody the values and mission of WHALE, they embody the spirit of New Bedford.
We are pleased to share the 2026 Preservation Award Recipients, who will be honored at our Annual Meeting on June 23 at the Zeiterion Theatre.
The Zeiterion Theatre – Sarah Delano Award:
The recipient of this year’s Sarah R. Delano Preservation Award, the Zeiterion Theatre, is a remarkable example of the power of historic preservation and the lasting impact of investing in our community’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Awarded annually to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the rehabilitation, restoration, and interpretation of the historic character and environment of Greater New Bedford, the Sarah R. Delano Preservation Award recognizes projects that preserve the past while strengthening the future. Few recent projects embody that mission more fully than the extraordinary restoration and renovation of The Zeiterion Theatre.
Built in 1923 by the Zeitz brothers during the golden age of vaudeville and movie palaces, The Zeiterion was envisioned as the “biggest and best theater in New Bedford” — a true “palace for the people.” Featuring marble walls, gold leaf details, silk tapestries, and a magnificent crystal chandelier imported from Czechoslovakia, the theater quickly became one of downtown New Bedford’s grandest entertainment venues. Over the decades, it evolved from a vaudeville house into a beloved cultural institution, surviving while many historic theaters across the country disappeared.
The theater’s survival is deeply connected to WHALE’s own preservation history. In the 1980s, when the future of the building was uncertain, WHALE played an important role in helping save and rehabilitate the theater, ensuring that this cultural landmark remained part of downtown New Bedford. The current restoration marks the second major rehabilitation in the theater’s modern history — not only preserving the building once again but reimagining it for a new generation.
One could easily learn about a $37 million price tag attached to a historic restoration project and reasonably respond with: “Well, that’s simply impossible.”
Not The Zeiterion.
At no point during the planning and restoration process did The Z’s team accept the idea that such an ambitious project was beyond reach for a small nonprofit organization. Through rising costs, unexpected ledge, delays, funding uncertainties, and even COVID-19, the team persevered.
The result is a beautifully restored historic theater that New Bedford and the region can proudly celebrate. The marquee was inspired by the original historic awning that welcomed audiences more than a century ago. Leaded glass windows have been restored, the historic lobby shines once again with preserved marble, tilework, and its iconic box office façade, and historic paint analysis guided the return of the auditorium’s original color palette. Above it all, the theater’s original crystal chandelier glows once more as it did on opening day in 1923.
Beyond restoring the theater’s historic spaces, the project transformed underutilized areas into vibrant new programming, educational, and community spaces, strengthening The Zeiterion’s role as a true home for the performing arts in Greater New Bedford.
Through vision, perseverance, and an extraordinary commitment to preserving one of New Bedford’s most treasured landmarks, The Zeiterion Theatre exemplifies the very spirit of the Sarah R. Delano Preservation Award.
LaFrance Hospitality – Catherine Crapo Bullard Award for the 18 & Union project.
The recipient of this year’s Catherine Crapo Bullard Award is LaFrance Hospitality for their, a transformative adaptive reuse project at 18 & Union, at the entrance to New Bedford’s historic downtown core.
This award is given to extraordinary individuals or organizations who have followed their hearts in pursuing nearly impossible preservation projects. Named for Catherine Crapo Bullard—one of WHALE’s earliest supporters and a key figure in the preservation of the Benjamin Rodman Mansion—the award honors the kind of vision and determination that sees potential where others see obstacles, and lasting value where others see uncertainty.
18 & Union embodies that spirit.
The project represents the substantial rehabilitation of two historic building sites, the former National Club and the C.E. Beckman Co. Inc. buildings, long-standing elements of the downtown streetscape that had fallen into disuse. Positioned at a prominent gateway to the historic district, these structures have now been fully restored and adaptively reused as part of a revitalized urban edge.
The C.E. Beckman Co. buildings occupy a site with deep roots in New Bedford’s maritime history. The property was once associated with Isaac Howland, Jr. & Co., one of the city’s prominent Quaker whaling merchant firms, and the existing buildings were constructed in phases during the 1840s and 1850s to support offices, storage, and maritime-related businesses. In the early twentieth century, the buildings became home to the C.E. Beckman Company, a marine supply business operated by the Beckman family for more than a century.
The National Club building, constructed in 1927 originally as a wholesale grocer, later became home to the National Club social organization beginning in the 1960s. Though the club dissolved in 1972, the National Club name lived on through the restaurant and bar that became closely tied to New Bedford’s fishing community and colorful local history.
Now complete, 18 & Union brings new life to the site with housing and the new National Club Cantina restaurant, reactivating once-underutilized buildings and reestablishing daily energy and purpose at a key entrance to downtown New Bedford. The project preserves the historic character of the structures while ensuring their continued relevance in the city’s evolving urban fabric.
More than a restoration, 18 & Union stands as a successful reinvention—demonstrating how thoughtful preservation can strengthen the identity of a place while supporting its future growth. At a visible threshold to the historic district, it now serves as both a gateway and a signal of continued investment in downtown’s vitality.
In honoring 18 & Union with the Catherine Crapo Bullard Award, we recognize a completed project that reflects courage in preservation, belief in long-term value, and the power of historic buildings to be fully renewed as active, meaningful parts of the city once again.
South Coast Artist Index – George S. Perkins President’s Award
The recipient of this year’s George C. Perkins President’s Award is the South Coast Artists Index, founded by Ron Fortier and Jeff Wootton.
This award is presented to an individual or organization whose contributions have made a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater New Bedford. Named for George C. Perkins—one of WHALE’s founders and its first president—the award recognizes those whose work strengthens the cultural, civic, and community life of the region, carrying forward a mission rooted in stewardship, engagement, and service to the public good.
For well over a decade, the South Coast Artists Index has been a vital force in supporting the creative community of the South Coast. Created to promote the cultural sustainability of the region’s artists, the Index works to protect artistic and cultural heritage from the passage of time while preserving its richness and diversity for future generations.
What began as a platform to highlight local artists has grown into a broader resource for the region’s creative ecosystem. Today, the Index not only documents and shares the work of South Coast artists, but also provides workshops and programming that help artists build essential business skills—supporting both creative expression and professional sustainability.
By connecting artists, amplifying local talent, and fostering education within the creative community, the South Coast Artists Index has become an important cultural resource for the region—strengthening both visibility and viability for artists across disciplines.
In honoring the South Coast Artists Index with the George C. Perkins President’s Award, we recognize a sustained commitment to cultural preservation, creative empowerment, and the enrichment of Greater New Bedford’s quality of life through the arts.
Bristol County Superior Court House Restoration – Christopher “Chip” Gillespie Award
The recipient of a 2026 Christopher “Chip” Gillespie Revitalization Award is the Bristol County Superior Court House, recognized for its thoughtful restoration and continued stewardship as an essential civic landmark in the heart of New Bedford.
Established in 2017 in memory of Chip Gillespie—WHALE board member for 15 years, past president, and a passionate advocate for the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings—this award honors projects that reflect his belief that historic structures should not only be preserved, but actively maintained and returned to meaningful use within the community.
The Bristol County Superior Court House has long stood as an important symbol of civic life and justice in the region. Its recent restoration ensures that this historic role continues, while preserving the architectural dignity that defines the building’s presence within the downtown streetscape.
A central focus of the project was the restoration of the building’s historic cupola, a defining feature of its architectural identity. Carefully rehabilitated and returned to prominence, the cupola once again crowns the structure, restoring both its visual prominence on the skyline and an essential element of its historic design.
Beyond this signature feature, the broader restoration work strengthens the building for continued use while respecting its original craftsmanship and historic character. The result is a revitalized civic landmark that honors its past while remaining fully active in the present.
In honoring the Bristol County Superior Court House with the Christopher “Chip” Gillespie Revitalization Award, we recognize a project that reflects Chip’s enduring legacy: a deep commitment to preserving historic buildings not as static monuments, but as living, working parts of the community.
476 Orchard Street, New Bedford – Christopher “Chip” Gillespie Award
The recipient of a 2026 Christopher “Chip” Gillespie Revitalization Award is the historic triple-decker at 476 Orchard Street, New Bedford, recognizing the stewardship of one of the city’s most iconic residential building types.
Established in 2017 in memory of Chip Gillespie—WHALE board member for 15 years, past president, and a strong advocate for the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings—this award honors projects that reflect his belief that even the most everyday historic structures are worthy of investment, care, and continued use.
Triple-deckers are a defining feature of New Bedford’s residential history, representing generations of working-class housing that shaped the city’s neighborhoods and community life. The restoration of 476 Orchard Street preserves that legacy, maintaining the building’s historic character while ensuring it remains a viable and livable home for the present day.
Through thoughtful stewardship, 476 Orchard Street represents the importance of caring for the historic buildings that shape everyday neighborhood life, preserving one of New Bedford’s classic triple-deckers as a lasting piece of the city’s residential character and history.
In honoring 476 Orchard Street with the Christopher “Chip” Gillespie Revitalization Award, we celebrate a building that echoes Chip’s enduring belief that preservation is not limited to landmark buildings, but extends to the everyday structures that give our communities their character, continuity, and sense of place
More information on past award recipients coming soon.