Collections Overview

The New Bedford Whaling Museum has been collecting historic artifacts, documents, books, and photographs for over 110 years, it is not surprising that our collections today are large and diverse, comprised of approximately ¾ million items. While owning the world’s most comprehensive collection of art, artifacts and original documents of whaling history the Museum also collects broadly in maritime and local history.

Collections include objects across a broad range of categories:  fine and decorative art; folk art; photography; domestic artifacts; artifacts that represent the history of technology and industry; books, manuscripts, maps and charts, ethnographic materials, clothing and textiles, and  extensive personal, business, and financial records. This is a very diverse and rich social history collection.

Best of Collections

Since 1916 visitors have been invited to climb aboard the Lagoda, the world’s largest ship model, a ½ scale bark. 

We also own what is purported to be the world’s longest painting.  At 1,275 feet, the 1848 painting of a Whaling Voyage Around the World is currently off exhibit and for which conservation treatments are being developed.  Another group of material worthy of note is an extensive collection of paintings by artist William Bradford.