NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM

Survey submitted by Justin Camarata, Noank, CT

Address: 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740-6398
Contact: MaryJean Blasdale, acting curator; Judith M. Downey, librarian
Tel/fax: 508-997-0046 / 508-997-4350
Internet: http://www.whalingmuseum.org

Hours: Museum 0900-1700 daily, Library 1000-1200, 1300-1600 weekdays
Visitors: 60,000/yr

Mission Statement: To educate and interest the public in the history of American whaling, the Old Dartmouth area, and in regional maritime activities.

Use of the Collection: Archives accessible (no electronic). Appointment advised. Will respond to written inquiries but response time varies with workload. Allow at least 30 days.

Photo prints, b/w, 8x10 $20, 11x14 $30, 16x20 $45, second and successive prints half price, additional $50 if copy negative required. Photo prints, color, 8x10 $40, 11x14 $70, 16x20 $100. Color slides: existing slide $4, original slide $20. Existing 4x5 transparencies may be rented from the collection for three months for $60 plus $15 for insurance. One-time Publication use fee generally $25.

Collection Content:

• General areas - Whaling (significant harpoon and scrimshaw collections) and local maritime history, 1600s to present.
• Library - 15,000 volumes, 500 bound periodicals, 750 vessel technical drawings, 35,000 photos, 1800 reels microfilm. Manuscript collection, 1643 to 1984, includes 1160 logbooks plus local business records, local family letters and diaries. Special collections include the maritime libraries of Edward T. Pierce, Jr.(1970) and Charles Foster Batchelder(1975).
• Paintings - Approximately 1000, number on display varies - vessels, seascapes, portraits. Includes 98 foot Richard Ellis sperm whale mural, two sections Russell-Purrington "Panorama of a Whaling Voyage Round the World" (1848), and the collection of Elizabeth and Barbara Clemons(1950).
• Plans for model makers - by Walter E. Channing.
  Blueprinted sets include spar and sail plans, deck plan, profile and sections, details and color scheme unless otherwise noted. All plans are sold in sets and shipped rolled in tubes. Scale 3/16"=1'.

  • Bark Josephine
  • Bark Lagoda
  • Bark Sunbeam
  • Bark Wanderer
  • Schooner John R. Manta
  • Ship Two Borthers
  • Brig Viola
  • Friendship Sloop
  • Belaying points
  • Hull Detail;s & Whaling Gear (Details of masts & Yards)
  • Beetle Whaleboat - 2 sheets. set includes sail plan, inboard plan, inboard and outboard profile, sections, equipment and details. Scale: 1"=1'

    Above listed sets consist of 2 sheets & are $10.00

  • Ship Charles W. Morgan 3 sheets at $15.00

  Models - 30 displayed, approx. 120 others. Includes 89 foot half scale model of whaling bark LAGODA.

  Full scale historical vessels - whale boats with gear(2)

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