Moby-Dick Marathon 2025
Embark on an Unforgettable Literary Voyage with Us!
From January 3 to 5, 2025, the New Bedford Whaling Museum invites you to join one of the world’s most renowned readings of Herman Melville’s iconic American novel, Moby-Dick. The Moby-Dick Marathon features a 25-hour read-a-thon from Saturday to Sunday, interspersed with exciting Melville-inspired activities. Enjoy engaging conversations with scholars from the Melville Society Cultural Project (MSCP), live performances, hands-on activities, and more.
Since 1997, the New Bedford Whaling Museum has celebrated the anniversary of Melville’s 1841 departure from the Port of New Bedford and Fairhaven aboard the whaleship Acushnet with this beloved mid-winter tradition.
Start planning your journey now and prepare to join us in 2025 as we hunt for the elusive white whale! Admission to the Museum is free from Saturday, January 4 to Sunday, January 5, for the Moby-Dick Marathon.
THE MARATHON EXPERIENCE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3
5:00 pm - 8:00pm
Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
MOBY-DICK MARATHON KICK-OFF DINNER
The Melville Society and the New Bedford Whaling Museum Present: Authors Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Habel, co-authors of Dayswork.
Described by the Wall Street Journal as “a supremely literate achievement,” Dayswork is an inventive and introspective novel that explores the intersection of art, marriage, and personal identity. During the pandemic, a woman’s fascination with Herman Melville’s life, his creative process, and his turbulent relationships drives her into a deep exploration of the cost and meaning of dedication. Through her examination of Melville’s impulsive decisions, personal relationships, and creative legacy, she finds herself facing her own reflections on ambition and marriage.
With humor, insight, and poetic precision, Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Habel craft a narrative that seamlessly blends life and literature, history and self-discovery. Join us for a conversation with the authors as they share the inspirations and questions behind this remarkable novel, adding a unique dimension to the Moby-Dick Marathon weekend.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4
9:30 am Stump the Scholars
Cook Memorial Theater (Lobby)
Put your knowledge to the test and ask a burning question to the Melville Scholars in this fun and lively program for the chance to earn a “I stumped the Scholars!” pin. Have you ever puzzled over Queequeg’s actual island home? Was it Melville or Ishmael who compared whales to books? Have a similar question? We want to hear from you!
This program is a playful give and take between the questioner and two teams of Melville experts. Questions from Melville’s novels, art, poetry, and short stories are welcomed and up for exploration.
10:00 am The Little Whalers’ Story Time, Craft-making & Scavenger Hunt
Classroom 1 / Science Classroom (Main Level)
Calling all kiddos! Join us for an hour of story time and craft activities then go on your own exciting whale scavenger hunt! Prizes available upon completion.
11:25 am Extracts
A Whaling Voyage Around the World / Bourne Building (Main Level)
Read by members of the Melville Society Cultural Project.
12 Noon "Call me Ishmael", the Main Attraction
A Whaling Voyage Around the World / Bourne Building (Main Level)
With the strike of eight bells, the Moby-Dick Marathon begins with those three famous opening words..."Call Me Ishmael."
1:30 pm Father Mapple’s Sermon
Seamen’s Bethel (Reserved seating at Bethel. Livestream at the museum in the Harbor View Gallery). This portion of the reading has limited seating and seats will be assigned by lottery (sign-up coming soon!).
1:30 pm Portuguese Mini-Marathon (PMDM)
Cook Memorial Theater (Lobby)
Dozens of participants at the museum join together with readers in mainland Portugal, the Azores, Madeira Islands, and Cape Verde Islands to read the shortened adaptation of Moby-Dick created by Tiago Patricio in Portuguese. Doors open at 1:30pm, remarks at 1:45pm, reading runs 2:00-6:00pm.
2:10 pm Main Marathon Continues
Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
2:30 pm Chat with Melville Scholars
Research Library (Main Level)
Exclusive access to Melville Scholars to ask them anything and everything Melville!
3:00 pm Make Your Mark
Classroom 2 (ML)
Take a creative pause and craft a personalized bookmark to help keep your place throughout the Marathon.
6:30 pm Cousin Hosea’s Chowder Hall and the Decanter Taproom
Jacobs Family Gallery (Lower Level)
Recharge and warm up with complimentary chowder or purchase other offerings from one of the food and beverage vendors on site.
7:30 pm Midnight on the Forecastle (chapter 40)
Cook Memorial Theater (Lobby)
Performed by Culture*Park.
8:00 pm Main Marathon Continues
Cook Memorial Theater (Lobby)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5
8:00 am The 20th-Hour Treat
Jacobs Family Gallery (Lower Level)
Get fueled up for the home stretch.
9:30 am Chat with Melville scholars
Research Library (Main Level)
Exclusive access to Melville Scholars to ask them anything and everything Melville!
1:00 pm Epilogue
Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
Prizes for the hearty souls that make it through the entire night.
*Times are approximate and are dependent on the reading pace of the Marathon.
WATCH THE 2024 EDITION:
The Moby-Dick Marathon is made possible with the support of the following sponsors:
Thank you to our Ishmael Sponsor
Melville SPONSOR
Whalers Crew
