This program is part of general admission to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Movie tickets for Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D can either be purchased with general admission or separately.
Captain Paul Cuffe Week is sponsored in part by:
Captain Paul Cuffe Week
Monday, February 19 - Friday, February 23, 2024
Let your creativity set sail as we celebrate a remarkable figure in American history!
Join us at the New Bedford Whaling Museum during February School Vacation Week for a hands-on exploration of the remarkable life and legacy of Captain Paul Cuffe. Cuffe was a seafarer, entrepreneur, educator, and visionary who became one of the wealthiest men of color in the nation.
Story Time & Craft Activity
February 19 – 23 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Classroom 2 (ML) | Recommended ages 5-10
Join us for a story time each weekday morning and then make your own craft to take home! Stories and crafts will focus on themes relating to Cuffe’s life and legacy.
Create-Your-Own Silhouette
February 19-22 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Classroom 2 (ML) | Recommended ages 5-10
The best known image of Paul Cuffe is a silhouette, a type of paper portraiture that was popular with Quakers in the 18th and 19th centuries. Make your very own paper silhouette and then compare it to Cuffe’s very own in our Captain Paul Cuffe exhibition.
Live Community Painting
February 19 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Whales Today (LL) |Recommended ages 5-93
Join a live community painting with artist Mandy Fraser who will be using the silhouette portrait of Captain Paul Cuffe as well as your words around the topics of activism, identity, and education as inspiration for her graffiti based artwork.
Bloomberg Connects App
February 19-23 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
8+ Museum Exhibitions|Recommended ages 13-93
Explore the New Bedford Whaling Museum's newest offering - our Bloomberg Connects app . This downloadable app includes an interactive map, images, and an audio featuring a Paul Cuffe descendant. (Stop #5 in the Highlights Tour).
Winter Camp Free Day
February 23 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission to the New Bedford Whaling Museum on February 23, 2024 is free all day thanks to Highland Street Foundation. Marvel at five massive whale skeletons, explore the world’s largest ship model, and learn about a key American figure – Captain Paul Cuffe.
Write Your Own Paul Cuffe Story
February 23 from 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Classroom 2 (ML) | Recommended ages 12+
Hear from award-winning author and leading authority on Paul Cuffe, Lamont D. Thomas, about Paul Cuffe's story and then write and draw your own story using our supplies. Come to see and sea!
Paul Cuffe Book Cover Making
February 23 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Classroom 2 (ML) | Recommended ages 7-12
Hear from our staff and volunteers about Captain Paul Cuffe and then use your imagination to make a cover for a book on Cuffe that you can use to remember this fun week!
