You are invited to a community open house to learn more about the Whaling Museum’s upcoming Cape Verdean Contemporary Project; two exhibitions opening in summer 2025 that explore the Cape Verdean American and Cape Verdean experience through the lens of contemporary art and community storytelling.

Join members of the curatorial team and the exhibition’s advisory board to learn about how the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s special exhibition The Wider World & Scrimshaw came together. Hear from scholars, artist and curators about their connections to the project, what they learned through this process, and where their work goes from here.

The lecture will focus on the descendants of Portuguese on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, called “Portuguese Burghers” in Sri Lanka, who have lived in mixed communities near forts at Batticaloa and Trincomalee since the early 1600s. We will hear field recordings of performances of music and folk verse in creole Portuguese with illustrations of the community.

Celebrate National Authors’ Day at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A day packed full of literary delights, in appreciation of the authors that spent countless hours writing our favorite books!

Keep Talking (Niugaa Yugaa), directed by Karen Lynn Weinberg, follows four Alaska Native women fighting to save Kodiak Alutiiq, an endangered language now spoken by less than 40 remaining fluent Native Elders.

Learn about art, history, science, and culture with activities designed for homeschool families! General admission includes access to museum exhibits and activities like the Inflatable Whale, Lagoda Below Deck, and other guided stations around the museum.

A silent film screening accompanied by live music! “Down to the Sea in Ships” is a 1922 American romantic drama, directed by Elmer Clifton. In this silent film, whalers go harpooning, leaving a Quaker maiden behind in 19th-century New Bedford, MA. Musical score will be performed live by pianist Jennifer A. Maxwell.

The Spindle Rock River Rats’ repertoire is an eclectic blend of music genres, that includes bluegrass, gospel, sea shanties, old-time fiddle tunes, folk and blues.

SAVE THE DATES! One of the world’s best known live readings of Herman Melville’s iconic American novel Moby-Dick takes place every January at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The Moby-Dick Marathon draws readers and enthusiasts from around the globe to the Museum’s campus and to viewing online.