Vision

Anchored in the story of New Bedford’s whaling industry, the New Bedford Whaling Museum documents and shares the diverse stories of this vibrant maritime region and its people, both bygone and current. Through our partnerships and our Collection, the Museum stands as an institution for learning from, teaching about, and reflecting on humans’ collective impact in our community. Our expanding reach as a cultural and scientific leader can be seen in our growing scholarship, research, and increased presentations of fine art. As a compelling destination that anchors a national park and vibrant urban seaport, we encourage exploration of our region’s cultural, artistic, historic, and scientific contributions. A keeper of the region’s collective memory, the Museum preserves a communal story of the many who settled in the “city that lit the world” and of those who keep the light shining brightly today.

Goals

1. 1.Visits to the museum are engaging, rewarding, accessible, comfortable and fun for all.
2. 2.Stimulate audiences, mobilize community conversations and create meaningful connections to the museum and its content.
3. 3.Collections are expertly cared for, safeguarded for future and shared widely with audiences to inspire deeper learning. The museum has the resources and visibility to grow and implement this plan.