Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

Perhaps the best known museum in Sandwich is their Glass Museum. With displays of over 6,000 pieces and glass blowing demonstrations, it is a must see.

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

Everyone has a favorite, and this recent work by Sydney Hutter is mine:

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

After our visit to the museum, we walk historic downtown Sandwich.

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

The first photo is the entrance to a restaurant, and this brick building is the library. It is wonderful and the people there were great.

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

The next photo is a typical Cape Cod house: natural shingles all around except for the front, which is painted sideboard. Of course many of the larger homes were painted, but 90% of what we see have painted fronts only - smart people in Cape Cod!

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

We finish today with a walk out to the beach and the famous boardwalk. It is indeed lovely as I think you'll agree.

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

From Sandwich, MA

For further information: Sandwich Glass Museum 508.888.0251; Sandwich Library Archives and Historical Center 508.888.0625; Sandwich Visitors Services Board

Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

"In this same New Bedford there stands a Whaleman's Chapel, and few are the moody fishermen, shortly bound for the Indian Ocean or Pacific, who fail to make a Sunday visit to the spot."
. . . Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, 1851

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

The people of New Bedford were not exactly enchanted with the arduous and licentious lifestyles of the 5,000 seaman New Bedford employed. In response, the Port Society constructed a Mariners Chapel in 1831 and dedicated the chapel on May 2, 1832.

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

In 1866 fire damaged much of the building, and in July 1867 the Seamen's Bethel reopened with the pulpit replaced and the seating turned to face the West. Today the building is considerably different than Herman Melville first visited in 1840 and described in "Moby Dick."

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

The influence of the Hollywood version of Moby Dick resulted in a pulpit shaped like the bow of a ship. Visitors were so disappointed in the original ordinary pulpit, the New Bedford Port Society changed it to look like the movie version.

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

Pictured above is Nancy Hartzog, who gave us much history of the chapel. Her father, George Hartzog, was influential in the National Park Service and is featured in several episodes of Ken Burns current film.

The cenotaphs lining the walls of the chapel are visible memorials to men who lost their lives at sea.

"It needs scarecly to be told with what feelings, on the eve of a Nantucket voyage, I regard those marble tablets, and by the murky light of that darkened, doleful day read the fate of whalemen who had gone before me."
. . .Herman Melville

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

A couple of pictures of New Bedford streets and buildings.

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

A few blocks away lies Fort Taber. The gates are locked, but I stuck the camera through a crack and got 1 photo.

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

From Seamen's Bethel, New Bedford, MA

Butler Flats Light Station, 1898, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

For further information: Seamen's Bethel

New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

On our way to Rhode Island, we spot the National Park Service sign for New Bedford Whaling. Since we planned a visit anyway, we cancelled Rhode Island today, and make the turnoff for New Bedford.

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

Although the NPS Visitor Center is interesting, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is world class. We spend hours here, watching an excellent movie and then visiting all the displays.

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

According to the NPS, this museum is the largest and most outstanding museum of American whaling and maritime history in the world. Exhibits include the 89 foot Lagoda, a half scale replica of a square-rigged whaling bark and rare whale skeletons.

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

Also displayed are cultural artifacts, rare antiquities, scrimshaw and logbooks, and interspersed are displays of fine and decorative arts.

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

There is so much to see, we need a break to get something to eat, and then return. New Bedford is a charming town with many historical and beautifully preserved homes, cobblestone streets, and amazing history. The last pictures shows a views from the upstairs deck.

From New Bedford, MA Whaling Museum

For further information: New Bedford Whaling Musuem 508.997.0046;
New Bedford Whaling NHP 508.996.4095; Downtown New Bedford 508.990.2777