2010 Event Calendar

Thursday March 11th
AHA! Night: All Sewn Up
The New Bedford Preservation Society will collaborate with RJD to present an illustrated talk about the city's historic textile mills. Historian Bruce Barnes will chart the legacy of this long and eventful history which began in the city in 1846 and lasted until the 1980s. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the RJD parlors. It will present an ideal opportunity to learn more about the buildings, people and events that shaped the development of New Bedford during this important era in the city's history.

Thursday May 13th
AHA! Night: Community Places & Sacred Spaces
The New Bedford Preservation Society will hold its Elm Award Ceremony on AHA! night, Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 7 p.m. at the Downtown New Bedford Library, Third Floor Meeting Room.  Society President Mark Fuller will present an illustrated talk featuring the recipients of this year’s Elm Award, sharing many “before and after” photographs of the twelve historic properties being honored.   The society’s Elm Awards recognize individuals or organizations that have done an outstanding job in either the ongoing maintenance, restoration, preservation or adaptive reuse of historic New Bedford properties. The society will also present its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Arthur and Jean Bennett for their many years of significant involvement in the city’s preservation community. The public is cordially invited to attend this program and the reception which follows.  As May is National Preservation Month, this ceremony is a fitting tribute to those who have accomplished much in preserving the heritage of the city for the future.

Saturday May 22nd
New Bedford Preservation Coalition Invites Homeowners to Wooden Window Restoration Workshop
of National Preservation Month, the New Bedford Preservation Coalition is sponsoring a free, hands-on workshop on restoring wooden windows at the Corson Maritime Learning Center (adjacent to the Visitor Center) on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 9AM-12Noon. The workshop will be presented by Jade Mortimer of the New England Window Restoration Alliance (NWRA). The NWRA website (www.windowrestorationne.org) offers a tip sheet that features the top ten reasons to restore your wooden windows. Read More!

Saturday June 5th
1-4pm
Join the Society for a fun, family friendly, & FREE afternoon of Lawn Bowling!
Part of the Hazelwood Park Festival in New Bedford’s beautiful South End.
*Rain Date: Sunday June 6

Thursday June 10th
Walking Tours AHA! Night
Take a walking tour of the West of County Street Neighborhood led by Bruce Barnes of the New Bedford Preservation Society. Tour departs from the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum (396 County Street) at 6:30pm.

Saturday June 26
Historical Oak Grove Cemetery Tour
On Saturday, June 26, the New Bedford Preservation Society will present its 7th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour. The tour will feature Oak Grove Cemetery in New Bedford, where historic portrayals in period costume will take place at the gravesites of New Bedford notables along the tour route.
Read More!

July and August - Summer Walking Tours of historic New Bedford 19th century neighborhoods. By reservation only for groups of five or more ($7/person)

Thursday July 29
Trolley Tour to Highlight Historic South End
Mill Sites
Part of City Celebrates! Summer Thursdays!
The New Bedford Preservation Society will sponsor a trolley tour of many of New Bedford’s historic south end textile mill sites on “City Celebrates” Night, Thursday, July 29, at 6pm. The trolley will leave from Custom House Square. New Bedford was one of the most important centers of textile production in the world at its peak in the early 1900s. The industry began in the city in 1846 and lasted until the 1980s. The legacy of this long and eventful history continues to affect the city today in profound ways. Please join the Society to learn more about the buildings, people and events that shaped the development of New Bedford during this important era in the city’s history. The tour will last approximately one hour and will be led by Society member Bruce Barnes. This event is free; seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, non-handicap accessible.

December 4th & 5th
19th Annual Holiday House Tour

Saturday the 4th, 4-8pm Candlelight Tour
Sunday the 5th, 1-5pm Afternoon Tour

Come visit beautifully restored historic 19th Century homes, all decked out for the holidays.

Start at the Wamsutta Club, 427 County Street, NB
Pre-tour brunch ($15) on Sunday from 11:30am-1pm(reservations recommended, call 508.997.7431)
Holiday Raffle will be held at the club during tour hours. Advance tickets: $19; $17 Society Members
At the door, ALL tickets: $23

Tickets go on sale mid-November at the following locations: Elaine's at the Black Whale, New York Shoe Repair, The Surrey Shoppe, Periwinkles, Baker Books, Davoll's General Store, The Ultimate Touch, The Woodhouse Shop, Roseland Nursery and the Marion General Store.