Upcoming Events
Historic Homeowner Workshop Series: Workshop #1
Thursday, November 7 at 5:30 PM
NPS Visitor Center Auditorium, Enter through the Gallery at 26 William Street, New Bedford
Did you know that around 80% of New Bedford’s housing stock is considered historic? Join WHALE and our partners from the City Planning Office and the NB Whaling National Historical Park on November 7 for our first Historic Homeowner Workshop! Hear from the owners of two historic properties (148 Hawthorn Street and 149 Allen Street) as they share their stories and experiences, learn about some best practices and get a chance to ask questions. We will also feature a feedback portion so we can design more educational opportunities or resources that are helpful to owners of older and historic homes.
This is a chance to connect, share and learn. The event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact our office at 508-997-1776.
Living the Old House Dream: January 28, February 25 and March 28, 2025
Our winter speaker series in collaboration with our partners at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum and Gardens returns for a second year. We have three more amazing speakers lined up, from an author recounting his preservation journey, to making an energy upgrades to an iconic mansion to a local “Whalehouse”‘s road to restoration. Check back for more details on the speakers, tickets and more.
Past WHALE Events
2024 Annual Meeting & Preservation Awards: June 26 at Steeple Playhouse. View the award video here.
Ask the Experts: For Lovers and Owners of Historic Houses: January – March, 2024
in partnership with the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum and Gardens
To download a copy of the Historic Homeowner Resources, click here.
To view WHALE’s Local Contractor List, click here.
To view a PDF of our February presentation, click here. credit: Jeff Gonyeau
“Hometown” Author’s Talk & Book Signing with John K. Bullard
Co-Sponsored by WHALE and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum in September, 2023
- 2023 Annual Meeting, June 28th, Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum
- All Lit Up – Celebration of The Steeple Playhouse Restoration, December 2022
- 2022 Annual Meeting, June 16 at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum & Gardens
- Community Conversation – WHALE hosted a community conversation via Zoom on our Neighborhood Revitalization Program for community stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of our organization and have a voice in future WHALE projects. This specific program restores vacant and deteriorated historic properties to preserve the character of New Bedford’s historic neighborhoods and create affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. At this meeting, WHALE board and staff shared the history of WHALE, our current projects, and information on the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Abandoned Housing Initiative.
Hillman Firehouse Community Meeting – A meeting was held via Zoom to discuss WHALE’s plans for the Hillman Firehouse located at 109 Hillman Street.
Community Conversation – Location: Seamen’s Bethel 1st Floor, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA. Come meet WHALE’s new Outreach Coordinator, Eldric Abreu, and learn about WHALE’s current projects. Exchange information and give input on community preservation work in New Bedford’s historic neighborhoods. Join in collaborating with fellow residents in our city for future WHALE projects. Refreshments served!
Virtual Historic Hooplah with WHALE – Cultivating Colors – WHALE’s first ever virtual event brought together an awesome group of speakers, including WHALE staff, Sherwin-Williams, and Anne Louro the Preservation Planner for the City of New Bedford, to share their expertise on historic colors, important tips, and services available.
Masquerade Beaux Arts Ball- Celebrating the successful restoration of the beautiful and historic 148 Hawthorn Street with a festive and fun masquerade ball.
Legacy Dinner- Elegant sit-down cocktail hour and dinner to honor WHALE’s contributors over the years and raise funds for its future.
Annual Meeting- A night where guests can learn about WHALE’s previous and current projects as well as distinguished, nominated individuals and organizations who are awarded our preservation awards.
Nostalgia Nights – View WHALE’s photo collection and listen to historic era music.
Architectural Bingo – Win prizes, learn and test your architectural lingo.
“Historic Paints and Finishes” – Lectures in honor of Historic Preservation Month.
Kid’s Rule Scavenger Hunt Search for historic architectural details on downtown New Bedford’s historic buildings. Discover which historic buildings WHALE has saved over the last 50 years. Win a prize!
Build a historic house from the WHALE’s “Towers, Turrets, & Tenements” book- Receive one of these great books illustrated by Arthur Moniz. Children get to choose and put together a particular architectural style seen in and around New Bedford and decorate Christmas style while learning about their city’s cultural heritage.
Site Visits of Current Projects- On select nights WHALE has opened up a restoration in progress for a “peak in” of its plans and development timeline. Current sites include the Co-Creative Center and First Baptist Church.
Open House- On select nights, prior to the open of the lottery process, WHALE has invited community members to view the completed, renovated homes that are part of our first-time homebuyer program
