Discover, Learn, Enjoy!

The Sailors’ Series illustrated lectures present a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.

Enjoy a night out at the Museum with step-by-step painting instructions and a lot of fun! No experience necessary.

The Museum has partnered with The Second Half: Lifelong Learning Institute to provide a daytime lecture series.

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Pre-conference Symposium at the Museum will be led by artists from the exhibition Of Earth and Sea. March 21 & 22

A three-part series of Wednesday evening lectures by environmentalists presented by the Whaling Museum and Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Focusing on the increasingly important role of marine mammal bioacoustics in various aspects of marine mammal biology and conservation. March 26-29, 2015

The world’s only forum devoted to the indigenous shipboard art of whalers during the “Age of Sail.” May 15 – 17, 2015

Kids 5 and up will create their very own masterpiece painting at the Museum. No experience necessary.

 Includes accommodations at a 4-Star Hotel, visits to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a Douro River cruise and so much more! Sept. 11 – Sept. 20.

Vacation Week activities and other programs such as the Presidents' Day Birthday Celebration.

The Museum creates or partners with community groups and organizations to present a wide variety of public programming.

The Charles W. Morgan and its historic 38th Voyage. Learn more about the nine day visit to New Bedford during the summer of 2014.

Over the Top and the New Year's Eve Bash are some of the anticipated events along with others throughout the year.

Bringing together scholars, writers, artists, museum curators, and local historians to share interests in whaling, Melville, maritime history, nautical lore, and  whaling heritage worldwide.

Established in 1828, the Old Dartmouth Lyceum is the region’s oldest public forum for “the advancement of popular education.”

The world’s best known readathon of Herman Melville's literary masterpiece, commemorating the anniversary of the departure of the ship Acushnet from New Bedford with Melville aboard.

Programs offered at the Museum in past years can be found here.