Upcoming Events
Places that Matter: New Bedford Public Launch, May 9, 2024
Join WHALE and our partners, the Trust for Public Land, as we celebrate the culmination of 2 years of work, outreach and collaboration with the public launch of our Places that Matter: New Bedford project. Join us at one of two events planned for May 9 to learn more about this “greenprint” mapping tool and its potential for the community.
12 – 1:00 pm: Live Demonstration and Training at the Co+Creative Center, 137 Union Street, New Bedford – This event is open to all who want a focused training by TPL and requires a registration. Click here to RSVP, space is limited.
5:30 – 8:00 pm: AHA! Night at the National Park Visitor Center, 33 William Street, New Bedford
WHALE returns to AHA! Night with a broad public demonstration of the mapping tool, opportunity for Q&A with WHALE and TPL staff and the chance to “test run” the map for yourself on available laptops. Open to all and free as part of AHA! Night.
2024 Annual Meeting and Awards: June 26
The Steeple Playhouse, 159 William Street, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Join WHALE for our annual meeting recapping a transformative year and the introduction of our upcoming strategic plan. Our preservation awards also return this year. Additional details to be provided soon!
Past WHALE Events
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
