The Port Society Complex project is gaining steam with Mayor Mitchell’s announcement of a $100,000 CDBG grant for the proposed elevator at the Taste of the Port fundraising event. The event, put on by WHALE, the NB Port Society and the Working Waterfront Festival raised significant funds to support the project and was attended by over 200 guests. The Port Society Complex will restore the Seamen’s Bethel and Mariners’ Home, make both buildings handicap accessible, and create a Fishing Heritage Center to tell the story of New Bedford’s development as the number one fishing port in the country.
A special thank You to the Whaling Museum for providing the venue, the restaurants, chefs and fishing industry businesses that contributed food, the businesses and individuals that donated auction items, the Ladies Branch of the Port Society and City of New Bedford for their financial contributions, and the Event Committee Kirsten Bendiksen, Teri Bernert, Diane Brodeur, Don Cuddy, Armand Fernandes, Peter Haley, Bill King, Kellie Martin, Phil Mello, Laura Orleans, and Fred Toomey, as well as volunteers Marguerite Ronan, Rosemary Medeiros, Sherry McTigue, Triona Cuddy, Anya Krause, Molly McGreavy and Emma York.
