New Bedford Preservation Society

DID YOU KNOW...
In 1974 a group of private citizens banded together to try to halt a state plan to widen New Bedford’s premier residential avenue (County Street) and destroy the tall old elm trees that had arched over the street for decades. That group became the New Bedford Preservation Society, which now turns its efforts to protect and preserve, through education, properties of historic and architectural significance throughout the city. Continuing programs involve buildings from whaling mansions to triple-deckers and from city parks to shade trees along the most modest city block.
Image: County Street

In celebration of the colors of the season,
this beauty...
498 Cottage Street: The David L Hathaway House
Queen Anne Style (circa 1892)
The house was built in 1892, probably by David L. Hathaway, a
carpenter, who lived there with his wife Emily. He worked as a
carpenter for several firms before commencing his own contracting business, Hathaway and Son. As a lasting monument to him
self, David Hathaway placed a stylized "92", the year of construction, and an "H" for Hathaway in a panel above the doorway.

Upcoming Grant Workshop

ARCHITECTS WALKING TOUR:
We are asking people to make a $10 donation to help fund the tours.

Architects Tour. Saturday August 17 at 1pm. Meet at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House, 396 County Street.

Architects highlighted are: Richard Upjohn (1802-1878), John M. Allen (1842-1912), Solomon Eaton (1806-1871), Nat C. Smith (1866-1943), Alexander Jackson Davis (1803-1892), William Ralph Emerson (1833-1917), Louis E. Destremps (1875-1919), Robert Swain Peabody (1845-1917, Russell Warren (1783-1860), Edgar B. Hammond (1954-1937).

Great way to start the afternoon!!!
Bring a hat, water and a $10 donation😊

GROVE, HAWTHORN and COTTAGE STREET ! SATURDAY JULY 27 AT 1:00PM.
Explore the west end neighborhoods with its lovely residential homes. Meet at the Grinnell Mansion on 379 County Street.
NBPS is asking people for a donation of $10 per person to help fund the to the tour.

Tomorrow’s walking tour: bring hat and water!

We're getting excited for our walking book tour, in which we walk in the footsteps of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalists and discuss how their time in New Bedford inspired them (specifically, how it inspired Emerson's famous essay Self-Reliance)!

We'll meet tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2:00 under the tent behind the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden, 396 County Street, New Bedford. We'll enjoy a leisurely walk around the neighborhood (just under a mile), stopping in a few places to discuss their connection to Emerson, Fuller and Thoreau. We'll end up at the RJD to enjoy a little live music inspired by Margaret Fuller.

The important details: weather, parking and food!
The forecast for tomorrow: hot and humid. We'll be walking slowly -- we'll do our best to hug the shade and hope for some harbor breezes reaching County Street. If you think the heat will be too much, please feel free to stay home (and let us know if you want the notes of the walk so you can do it on your own sometime).

Most importantly, please bring your water bottles!

There is street parking available around the RJD.

As always, we've got a walk-inspired refreshment planned for you. If you signed up and can't attend, please let us know so that we have an accurate headcount!

If you have any questions, just reply to this email.

See you soon!
Marlissa & Corey

396 County Street, New Bedford
Wednesday, July 17, 2 to 4 pm

SUMMER 2024 WALKING TOURS :

NBPS Tours:
COTTAGE STREET AND MORE! SATURDAY JULY 27 AT 1:00PM. Explore the neighborhood of Cottage with its lovely residential homes. Meet at the Grinnell Mansion on 379 County Street. NBPS is asking people for a donation of $10 per person to help fund the tour.

ARCHITECTS TOUR, SATURDAY AUGUST 17 AT 1:00 PM. Learn about the well-known architects that designed some of the City’s most impressive structures. Meet at the Rotch-Jones- Duff House at 396 County Street. NBPS is asking people for a donation of $10 per person to help fund the tour.

AND:
SouthCoast Alamanc presents the walking tour:
"Transcendentalists, Ralph Waldo Emerson & New Bedford" on JULY 17 from 2-4PM. Meet at the RJD House and Garden Museum at 396 County Street.
Tour brought to you by SouthCoast Alamanc
Explore the neighborhood around the Rotch-Jones-Duff House with two of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays that had their origins here. Emerson spent time here and his friend Mary Rotch of Spring Street inspired the essays on Self-Reliance and Greatness. We’ve built a walking tour past his friend's home, the Unitarian Church where he sometimes preached, the Spring Street Meeting House and the gardens at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House.

Our partners in preservation, Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE) had a wonderful annual meeting and preservation awards ceremony last light. NBPS tour guide Bruce Barnes received the Carol Ann Juneau Volunteer Award.

If you plan on attending this please RSVP by emailing [email protected] or by calling 508-997-1776.

SUMMER WALKING TOUR UPDATE:
NBPS Tours:
NBPS has also planned two more summer tours one Saturday July 27 at 1pm and the next on Saturday August 17 at 1pm. These tours will be in the city's westend and we are asking people for a donation of $10 per person. More details will be released soon!

Meanwhile....
SouthCoast Alamanc presents the walking tour:

"Transcendentalists, Ralph Waldo Emerson & New Bedford" on July 17 from 2-4pm Meet at the RJD House and Garden Museum at 396 County Street.
Tour brought to you by SouthCoast Alamanc
Explore the neighborhood around the Rotch-Jones-Duff House with two of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays that had their origins here. Emerson spent time here and his friend Mary Rotch of Spring Street inspired the essays on Self-Reliance and Greatness. We’ve built a walking tour past his friend's home, the Unitarian Church where he sometimes preached, the Spring Street Meeting House and the gardens at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House.

New Video Release: Tour Guide Bruce Barnes Favorite 5

Join Bruce Barnes as he shares five of his favorite New Bedford sites with us on this New Bedford Preservation Society walking tour.
https://youtu.be/2XNLS0JAfaw

NBPS is Celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Please consider donating to its 50/50 Champaign, link below:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=U2S5X7VSCR4UW&ssrt=1717685349661

New Bedford Preservation Society- Tour Guide Bruce Barnes Favorite 5 Join Bruce Barnes as he shares five of his favorite New Bedford sites with us on this New Bedford Preservation Society walking tour. First is a fantastic co...

Thank you everyone for the kind remarks in last nights tour. Help us continue with this programming by contributing to our 50/50 Champaign.

Donate - New Bedford Preservation Society CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024! For fifty years the New Bedford Preservation Society (NBPS) has dedicated its mission to heighten awareness,provide education and guidance and promote sensitive restoration and preservation of New Bedford’s fine historic structures and the neighborhoods in...

A stellar walking tour tonight!
NBPS 50

Walking Tour May 9 AHA! Night
REMINDER: Tour will be limited to 60 people due to safety and to ensure everyone can hear the tour guide.

New Bedford Preservation Society (NBPS) will have special events and programs in celebration of our 50th year! Join us May 9 AHA! for a walking tour Bruce Barnes Favorite Five Historic Buildings. Bruce will discuss the exterior architecture and history of the structures. The tour steps off from the James Arnold Mansion 427 County Street at 5:30pm.
After the tour the public is invited to join the NBPS Board of Directors, friends and supporters for cake and refreshments at the Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum Garden tent, 396 County Street.

In-Person Walking Tour May 9 AHA! Night

Tour will be limited to 60 people due to safety and to ensure everyone can hear the tour guide.

New Bedford Preservation Society (NBPS) will have special events and programs in celebration of our 50th year! Join us May 9 AHA! for a walking tour Bruce Barnes Favorite Five Historic Buildings. Bruce will discuss the exterior architecture and history of the structures. The tour steps off from the James Arnold Mansion 427 County Street at 5:30pm.

After the tour the public is invited to join the NBPS Board of Directors, friends and supporters for cake and refreshments at the Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum Garden tent, 396 County Street.

Its spring! Explore the historic neighborhoods of New Bedford Simply download the PocketSights app to your smart phone (QR code below) and search for zip code 02740 and scroll down until you reach “New Bedford Pathways".

Tonight! The venerable Joe Thomas form Spinner Publications

TONIGHT Thursday, April 11, at 5:30pm
BEHIND THE SCENES: The Spinner Photo Archives
Get a glimpse of Spinner's photo collections and archives from an insider’s perspective. The Spinner Archive consists of more than one million historical and contemporary photographs, depicting 150 years of life in the southeastern Massachusetts region. It is also an important community resource. Hear about the formation of the archive from Spinner Publications co-founder, Joe Thomas as he presents slide show of archival photographs. A Q & A will follow. The presentation will be at The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum , 396 County St. New Bedford. Admission is FREE as a part of AHA! New Bedford night.

Whitin Machine Works at the Nashawena Weave Shed/Joseph Abboud Mfg Building
By Bruce Barnes

Full Roller Card
This textile machine, manufactured by the Whitin Machine Works, is a Carding Machine. It was used in the early stages of turning a bale of raw cotton into spun thread. A version of this machine appears in the 1919 catalog of the companies wares although this particular example may be from later production. This machine currently sits in the Nashawena Weave Shed/Joseph Abboud Mfg building on Bellville Avenue. Story goes that a former executive at Joseph Abboud collected this item and a few others for possible exhibition.

The Whitin Machine Works was established in Northbridge Massachusetts in the early 1800s. The little village, now Whitinsville, would become an important manufacturer of machine tools for the textile industry nationwide. The Whitin company specialized in creating machines to support the myriad of textile production processes other than spinning and weaving such as picking, carding and combing to name just a few. George Whitin who led the company in the late 19th and early 20th Century was on the Board of Directors of a number of the New Bedford Textile Mills in operation during those years.
Bruce Barnes, 2024.

SAVE THE DATE
New Bedford Preservation Society 50th Anniversary Celebration
May 9 AHA! 5:30pm
Walking Tour: "Bruce Barnes Favorite Five"
followed by cake and refreshments at the RJD Garden

For 50 years the New Bedford Preservation Society has dedicated its mission to heighten awareness, provide education and guidance and promote sensitive restoration and preservation of New Bedford’s fine historic structures and the neighborhoods in which they are located.

Upcoming Event at Fort Tabor Military Museum.

New Video Release!
Abolition Row Walking Tour
This tour examines the structures and people in connection to the story of abolitionism in New Bedford. The tour guide is Jan Da Silva, member of the Board of Directors of the New Bedford Preservation Society. Ms. Da Silva is the Program Manager, Visitor Experience and Resource Stewardship for New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Free.

New Bedford Preservation Society Abolition Row Walking Tour Abolition Row Walking TourThis tour examines the structures and people in connection to the story of abolitionism in New Bedford. The tour guide is Jan Da Si...

Our history, watch tonight!

Monday, March 4: Happening Hoods: Mill Towns Massachusetts has dozens of “mill towns” and tonight we’re exploring how some of these industrial-era buildings are serving a new generation – offering everything from freshly-roasted coffee to fine art.

Celebrating 50 years in 2024!
During the years of Covid the New Bedford Preservation Society started the program "Historic Property of the Week". Below is one of the Society's favorites.

3 Decker Multifamily, 1915
476 Orchard Street
by Bruce Barnes

The New Bedford textile industry brought tremendous growth to the city, particularly in the years from 1890 to 1929. Prior to 1890 the mill owners built much of the housing for their employees in large tenement developments adjacent to the mills. They were generally not well built, maintained or equipped with modern conveniences. They provided the bare necessities. The outstanding example of mill housing in New Bedford was at the Howland Mill but it was the exception. It was also the last corporate sponsored mill housing in the city.

New Bedford experienced unparalleled economic and population growth from 1890-1920. The textile industry in 1920 is estimated as worth 100 million dollars, probably close to 5-8 billion dollars in today’s money. The population of the city rose from 40,000 in 1890 to 120,000 in 1920. If corporate financed housing ended in 1889, where did this booming influx of immigrant families live? As it turns out, the 3 decker was the primary form of residential housing to fill that need.

Historians have identified Worcester as the place where the 3 decker or triple decker was first built, probably in the 1870s. It became the preferred multifamily building in all of the large mill towns like Worcester, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Woonsocket, RI, and New Bedford. Whole blocks would be built with nothing but these 3 family buildings. New Bedford alone had over 2000 of them built from 1890-1925. The city has lost some to urban renewal and neglect but they are still the dominant building form in the cityscape. They were well built and appointed for the space provided and remain primary residential properties for New Bedford citizens.

The legacy of the 3 decker is secure. Worcester has placed a number of 3 deckers on the National Register of Historic Places. There are museums that celebrate the tenement. At the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, they have an exhibit recreating a 3 decker parlor ca1925. It is a nostalgic and a truly memorable space.

NBPS is celebrating 50 years of preservation!
For fifty years the Preservation Society has dedicated its mission to heighten awareness, provide education and guidance and promote sensitive restoration and preservation of New Bedford’s fine historic structures and the neighborhoods in which they are located. Look for special events and programs in celebration of our 50th year.

Please consider donating to the Society’s 50/50 Campaign. Donations are tax deductible. Go to https://nbpreservationsociety.org/donate/
Checks may be mailed to:
NBPS P.O. Box 1618, New Bedford MA, 02741

This looks like fun! Did you know NB Preservation Society uses ancestry.com as one of the sources to trace the history of the people who lived in the city’s historic buildings?

NBPS Board member Chelsea Fernandes joins UMassD Portuguese American Archives! Congratulations Chelsea!

UMass Dartmouth's Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese American Archives welcomes new librarian archivist After being without an archivist for more than a year, the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese American Archives at UMass Dartmouth has hired Chelsea Fernandes.

NEW VIDEO RELEASE!
History of the Textile Industry
Bruce Barnes discuses the mechanics of the textile industry in New Bedford.

Generally thought of as the Whaling City, the textile industry is equally important to the social/economic development of New Bedford. Starting with the Wamsutta Mill, which began operation in 1848, the industry peaked around 1920. At this time New Bedford had numerous mills boasting some 150 mill buildings which employed over 35,000 workers.
History of the Textile Industry Link:

New Bedford Preservation Society The History of Textile Industry in New Bedford Telling the History of New BedfordThrough Its ArchitectureThe History of Textile Industry in New Bedford Generally thought of as the Whaling City, the texti...

The Westport Historical Society presents:
The Civil War in 3D
Date: January 13, 2024
Time: 10am to 11m or 2pm to 3pm
Seating is limited for this event, two sessions are offered, reserve your seat in advance at
https://wpthistory.org/

The Civil War remains very much in the American consciousness, not least because it was extensively photographed. While most people have seen the famous images, few know that they were shot with stereo cameras. Come see the images as they were meant to be seen.

Reminder: Join us for History of the Textile Industry Tour
September 14 at 6pm!! The Rural Cemetery tour will take place October 12 at 3pm.

NEW DATE for History of the Textile Industry Tour
September 14th AHA, 2023 at 6pm
Gather at the Joseph Grinnell Mansion, 379 County Street.
This tour recounts the rise and fall of the Textile Industry and its continuing effect on New Bedford.
This is a free walking tour, however NBPS gratefully accepts donations!

Rural Cemetery Tour will be October 12, 2023. Tour starts at 3pm
Gather at the Rural Cemetery, Dartmouth Street Entrance
The cemetery tour not only features the people interred but also the art and symbolism of their monuments.

NEW BEDFORD PRESERVATION SOCIETY IS TURNING 50!!

In celebration of our upcoming 50th Anniversary in 2024.
We ask our supporters to donate $50 dollars for 50 years with the goal of $5000. Use the link provided below.
https://nbpreservationsociety.org/donate/