January 4, 2021 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:
While 2020 has been an unexpectedly challenging year, the Fishing Heritage Center is excitedly looking ahead to 2021. This coming June will mark the Center’s five year anniversary! Over these past five years, we have welcomed thousands of visitors, hosted hundreds of local students, recorded dozens of oral history interviews, created numerous exhibits, and hosted a wide variety of educational programs. We look forward to celebrating these past five years with our community this coming summer.
This year the Center will open its new, permanent exhibit, More than a Job: Work and Community in New Bedford’s Commercial Fishing Industry. This exhibit will feature a replica working deck, scallop dredge, galley table, bunks, historic images and footage, and more than sixty audio clips sharing the many voices of the fishing community. The new exhibit will provide visitors with an introduction to the workings of the fishing industry as well as explore themes including labor history, immigration, sustainability, and the changing nature of work and community.
In order to install this new exhibit, the Fishing Heritage Center will be closed to the public in January and February 2021. If you’re interested in scheduling a private visit during these months, please email info@fishingheritagecenter.org. While we are closed to visitors, we will continue offering virtual programs and events. See our online calendar for a regularly updated list of virtual programs. Additionally, you can explore our online digital exhibits by clicking here. We can’t wait to welcome you back in the spring to explore our new, permanent exhibit!
In addition to our new exhibit, many of our programs for this coming year will focus on the various roles women play in the fishing industry. Stay up to date with our online calendar as we announce upcoming lectures, concerts, and documentaries that center the voices of women. You can view our online calendar by clicking here.
If you have any questions about the Center’s closure, upcoming programs, or exhibits, please contact Hannah at programs@fishingheritagecenter.org.