Saving Seafood

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center presents Safety at Sea in collaboration with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Every Kid in a Park Program

May 4, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

During the month of May, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will present programs for more than 1,000 fourth graders from the New Bedford Public Schools as part of the National Park’s Every Kid in a Park program.  These programs will provide students with an introduction to the Center with a focus on Safety at Sea. 

Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the nation. During their visit to the Center, students will learn how fishermen train to keep themselves safe while at sea.  A few lucky students will try on a survival suit to experience what it is like to wear one.  Center staff and volunteers from the fishing industry will present this program, sharing their knowledge with the students.

The Center is grateful to BankFive for providing a grant to support the Center’s educational programs. Educators who are interested in learning about program options are encouraged to contact the Center.  Programs can be tailored to the particular interests and grade level of students.

The Center is open free of charge, Thursday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m,. and is located at 38 Bethel Street, in the heart of the National Park. The Center is wheelchair accessible and has free off-street parking.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information, please contact the Center at programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center hosting Scanning Day

May 3, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will host Scanning Day on May 13, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Scanning Day is an opportunity for the public to share and preserve a digital image of their fishing industry photographs, documents, and other records for future generations.

The Center invites the public to bring their fishing industry related photographs, both historic and contemporary, as well as documents such as settlement sheets, union books, or news clippings to be scanned. Staff will scan the materials and record any information the owner shares about each piece.  The owner will leave with their originals along with a digital copy  of the scans on a flash drive. The Center is working to create a digital archive of these materials which will be made available to researchers and the public. These documents will help us to tell the story of the fishing industry.  This event is free and open to the public.

If you have a collection you would like to contribute to the Center’s digital archive and you are not able to attend Scanning Day, please call (508)993-8894 or email Center staff at info@fishingheritagecenter.org to make an appointment to have your collection scanned.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information, please contact the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at info@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

MASSACHUSETTS: Author Talk with Rachel Rowley Spaulding

May 2, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center presents Author Talk with Rachel Rowley Spaulding on Thursday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m. during AHA Night.  Ms. Spaulding will share how Arthur Moniz’s painting of the F/VEllen Marie inspired her to learn more about the vessel which led to her book, In Search of Ellen Marie.  This free presentation will be followed by a Q & A and book signing. 

In Search of Ellen Marie is the true story of a painting-inspired, passionate pursuit to locate a fishing vessel.  It’s really about life, a boat’s life, but also about lives of people and their power to affect others: the fisherman in South Bristol, Maine who put his work on hold to chat and share an important phone number; Ellen Marie’s Captain of the 1960s and ‘70s in New Bedford, Massachusetts who challenged her stereotypical thinking about fishermen and took her on an imaginary trip to Georges Bank; and the nose-ringed bartender in Newport, Rhode Island who gladly put up her poster and gave her a drink on the house. Spaulding says,”It’s about being human and experiencing the psychological defense of denial when I didn’t want to believe something, and experiencing compassion when I heard the grief of loved ones left behind when fishermen lost their lives at sea.  It’s about the awe-inspiring realization that I had been injected into the historic era soon to be lost forever of wooden commercial fishing boats manned by a unique breed of courageous fishermen.”

Born on Cape Cod, Rachel Rowley Spaulding holds a business degree from Boston University, and has worked primarily in the financial field.  She gained her writing education from UMass Dartmouth. Rachel now lives in Wareham, her childhood home, close to New Bedford, the historic fishing port she has come to love. 

The Center is open Thursday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 38 Bethel Street in the heart of the National Park, the Center is wheelchair accessible with free off-street parking.  The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information please contact the Center at programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

MASSACHUSETTTS: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park to Offer Free Summer Camp Program

May 1, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and the Whaling History Alliance are teaming up to offer two one-week summer camp programs for New Bedford children entering grade 4 in the fall of 2017.  Something Fishy Summer Camp is designed to give kids an introduction to the history and culture of the working port from whaling days to present day commercial fishing. Camp activities will include hands-on marine science, arts and crafts, daily field trips, a fishing vessel tour, and more. 

The camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the weeks of July 10th and July 17th. It will be based out of the National Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center on William Street.  The camp will be offered free of charge to all campers. 

Interested families must complete and submit an application form by May 23, 2017.  Campers will be selected through a lottery process and will be notified by June 5, 2017.  If you are interested in obtaining an application, please visit the Center’s website at http://fishingheritagecenter.org/programs/something-fishy-camp/.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information, please email programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call the Center at (508) 993-8894.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-4 PM. The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge. For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, or go to www.nps.gov/nebe. Everyone finds their park in a different way. Discover yours at FindYourPark.com

MASSACHUSETTS: Working Waterfront festival returning this fall

April 6, 2017 — The Working Waterfront Festival returns to the working piers of New Bedford, the nation’s most valuable fishing port, on Saturday, Sept. 23. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the history and culture of New England’s commercial fishing industry in a way that is authentic, hands-on and educational.

The flagship event is back with a new co-producer, a new format, and a new festival director, organizers announced this week in a press release.

This year, the festival is partnering with the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. Located in the heart of the City’s historic downtown, the Fishing Heritage Center opened its’ doors last June. Its mission is to tell the story of the fishing industry past, present, and future, through exhibits, programs, and archives. This partnership is a natural fit for two organizations dedicated to celebrating the commercial fishing industry.

The 2017 festival will be presented in two locations: on Steamship Pier and at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. These two sites will be linked by a free shuttle bus, allowing visitors to enjoy all the festival has to offer.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Call for Photos for Fishing Heritage Center Exhibit: Taken Out to Sea

April 5, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

New Bedford, MA – The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center invites commercial fishermen to submit their original photos for a new exhibit, Taken Out to Sea, opening June 8, 2017.  This exhibit provides fishermen with an opportunity to share their world with those on-shore.

Commercial fishermen have a unique view of our world.  They can describe the beauty of a sunrise at sea, the assortment of sea life they encounter, or explain the work they do but words do not always have the same power as an image.  For many years, fishermen could not truly share their world with their loved ones at home. With the advance of camera technology, fishermen can capture and share images, opening up their world to us all.

To be considered for the exhibit, fishermen may submit one to three original, at-sea photos by May 15, 2017 to programs@fishingheritagecenter.org.  Please include name, phone number, vessel name, type of vessel, and a caption for the photo.  Fishermen and their families will be invited to the exhibit opening on June 8th.

The Center is open Thursday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Located at 38 Bethel Street in the heart of the National Park, the Center is wheelchair accessible with free off-street parking.  The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information please contact the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at info@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Hosts Scanning Day

March 28, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center: 

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will host Scanning Day on April 8, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Scanning Day is an opportunity for the public to share and preserve a digital image of their fishing industry photographs, documents, and other records for future generations.

The Center invites the public to bring their fishing industry related photographs, both historic and contemporary, as well as documents such as settlement sheets, union books, or news clippings to be scanned. Staff will scan the materials and record any information the owner shares about each piece.  The owner will leave with their originals along with a digital copy  of the scans on a flash drive. The Center is working to create a digital archive of these materials which will be made available to researchers and the public. These documents will help us to tell the story of the fishing industry.  This event is free and open to the public.

If you have a collection you would like to contribute to the Center’s digital archive and you are not able to attend the April Scanning Day, please call (508)993-8894 or email Center staff at info@fishingheritagecenter.org to make an appointment to have your collection scanned.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information please contact the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at info@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

MASSACHUSETTS: Fishing Heritage Center presents “A Day in the Life” featuring Kevin Rose

March 21, 2017 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

New Bedford, MA – The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s A Day in the Life speaker series continues on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. with Kevin Rose, longshoreman and President/Business Agent of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1413.

Many see the cargo ships in the Port of New Bedford but few know about those who work to unload the cargo.  For generations, longshoremen have been a part of New Bedford’s working waterfront. Mr. Rose will provide a glimpse into the life of a longshoreman.

Raised in New Bedford, Mr. Rose is a third-generation longshoreman, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. For over 25 years, he has worked on New Bedford’s waterfront. He will discuss his life as a longshoreman, his hopes for the future of the Port of New Bedford, and his work as union President and Business Agent.

Admission to A Day in the Life is free to members; $5 for non-members.  The Center is handicap accessible through the parking lot entrance. Free off-street parking available. The Center is located at 38 Bethel Street in New Bedford’s historic downtown. 

For more information please contact the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at info@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center seeks volunteers

March 8, 2017 — The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is looking for volunteers to help with day-to-day operations, walking tours, educational programs and maintaining the center’s growing archive. The center, which opened to the public last June, is dedicated to telling the story of the fishing industry past, present and future through exhibits, programs and archives.

Volunteer opportunities include: welcoming visitors, staffing the reception area and gift shop, engaging visitors with the exhibits, assisting with educational programs, and helping with special events. During the summer months, the center will provide weekly walking tours for cruise-ship passengers and seeks volunteer tour guides to “learn the ropes” and become tour leaders. Additionally, the center is developing a digital archive of scanned photographs and documents and needs volunteers interested in assisting with this project. Training will be provided for all volunteers, according to a news release.

The center also is looking for people with fishing industry connections to talk with school groups and the general public about their work and lives.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Hosts Scanning Day

March 2, 2017 — The following has been released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

New Bedford, MA – The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will host Scanning Day on March 11, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Scanning Day is an opportunity for the public to share and preserve a digital image of their fishing industry photographs, documents and other records for future generations.

The Center invites the public to bring their fishing industry related photographs, both historic and contemporary, as well as documents such as settlement sheets, union books, or news clippings to be scanned. Staff will scan the materials and record any information the owner shares about each piece.  The owner will leave with their originals along with a digital copy  of the scans on a flash drive. The Center is working to create a digital archive of these materials which will be made available to researchers and the public. These documents will help us to tell the story of the fishing industry.  Scanning Day will take place the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to noon. This event is free and open to the public.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information please contact the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center at info@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.