New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
How did people find their way around before GPS? Find out on Thursday, June 11, during AHA! night (Art, History, Architecture) at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. That evening, there will be an Underground Railroad of New Bedford walking tour with a National Park Service ranger. Explore the stories of fugitive slaves who made their way to this city to find freedom and opportunities. The tour steps off at 6pm from the National Park
visitor center, and ends at the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, which will be open to the public. In addition, the public may join Ruth and Abby, the 1850s ladies, to create a Hawaiian star compass as taught to them by Keanu (a whaleman from Maui). From 5-6 PM, Ruth and Abby will offer Compass Creation. This will be followed by a discussion and activities from 6-7pm.
For those wanting a self-guided tour, families may pick up a Jr. Ranger Booklet to follow their own discovery tour of the historic district. These events takes place at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s visitor center, 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford. As always, the event is open to all, and admission is free. For more information about AHA! night, go to http://www.ahanewbedford.org/
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-4 PM.
The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge. For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, go to www.nps.gov/nebe or visit the park’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP. Everyone finds their park in a different way. Discover yours at FindYourPark.com
