Dec 21st, 2025 @4pm 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 The New Bedford Port Society is excited to be hosting...
Blog
In Honor of Bruce J. Oliveira
Assistant Treasurer, Visionary, and Steward of New Bedford’s Heritage The New Bedford Port Society is deeply saddened...
Thank you for joining us at The Harvest of The Sea
We'd like to thank everyone who showed up to our Harvest of the Sea this weekend! We were so excited to see our...
Harvest of the Sea: A Fishermen’s Thanksgiving Service
Date & Time: Sunday, November 23, 2025 | 3:00 PM Location: Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA...
Rotch Family History
Long before New Bedford became a world whaling capital, the Rotch family was already shaping New England’s maritime...
The Rotch family’s vision and enterprise laid the groundwork for New Bedford’s rise as a great port
Long before New Bedford became a world whaling capital, the Rotch family was already shaping New England’s maritime...
Catalpa Anniversary: The Greatest Escape in Irish History
This October, Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford will host a special commemoration of one of the most daring rescues in...
The Creation of the Herman Melville Statue: An Interview with Stefanie Rocknak
New Bedford Port Society President Phil Oliveira sits down with Sculptor Stephanie Rocknak to discuss the Herman...
Behind the Artifacts: Stories from Seamen’s Bethel
At our recent Event on the Hill, curator Rachel Rossi shared a closer look at some of the remarkable artifacts housed...
The Cenotaphs of Seamen’s Bethel: Stories Etched in Stone
When you step inside the Seamen’s Bethel on Johnny Cake Hill, one of the first things you notice are the marble...









