The City That Lit the World
"The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England..nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses, parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford…all these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. One and all, they were harpooned and dragged up hither from the bottom of the sea."
H. Melville, "Moby-Dick"
Features
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Calendar of Events
There's always something to do in the City that Lit the World. Check out the park's calendar of events for a listing of upcoming programs and events.
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The Soundscape Underfoot
A walk through New Bedford has all the sounds of a city-but Belgian block paved streets have a distinct sound. Hear more via this imaginative article.
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Whales, Tails, and Sails!
Free childrens' activities with songs, books, music crafts and free play! Especially designed for ages 0-5 every Friday at 10:00 a.m.
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Communities of Whaling
Discover the stories of five ethnic groups in New Bedford whose roots trace back to whaling in this interactive online exhibit.
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Fun For Kids!
Search for hidden pictures, go on a whaling voyage around the world, or learn about whales by exploring the park's online kids' activities.
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History and Culture
The whaling industry amassed enormous wealth and caused tens of thousands of men to risk their lives in far flung seas.
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Did You Know?
![Fishing vessels in New Bedford harbor. Fishing vessels in New Bedford harbor.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017045921im_/http://www.nps.gov/ner/images/NEBE_harbor.jpg)
Today, New Bedford is home to the number one fishing port in the United States in terms of the dollar value of its catch.