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 which they are located. NBPS will have special events and programs in celebration of our 50th year!
NEW BEDFORD PRESERVATION SOCIETY 50 YEARS OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
PROGRAMS
1. Historic Marker Program / Elm Awards – since 1976 NBPS has been awarded over 500 historic markers and Elm Awards that acknowledge people for their continued efforts to preserve the city’s architectural heritage.
2. The Re-leaf Program Urban Landscaping Program started in 1999 with over 280 trees planted.
3. NBPS YouTube Channel – the NBPS channel has 37 educational videos illuminating the history of the city. The videos have been watched over 19,800 times.
4. Self-Guided Walking Tours
- Brochures -Self Guided Walking Tour Brochures
- New Bedford Pathways – Digital Walking Tours Over 2000 virtual tours taken.
5. Monument Preservation
- The Whaleman’s Statue Restoration in 1987.
- Drayton Monument – Drayton Monument Unveiling & Re-Dedication Ceremony 2019.
EVENTS
Center Street Festival – NBPS created the inaugural event in the summer of 1975. This event morphed into Summerfest and then the New Bedford Folk Festival.
In Person Walking Tours:
- Historic Holiday Tours- Inaugural in 1991 / 2024 will be the 30th year for the tour. Each tour attracted over 300 people or over 8700 attendees.
- House and Garden Tours – Inaugural in 1982 – 25 Tours. Each tour attracts 125 people or 3000 attendees.
- Cemetery Tours – 1999 – 2019
- Summer Walking Tours – 2019 -2024 each tour attracted over 35 people or 875 attendees in the past five years.
- Houses of Worship Tour – June 27, 2008. This included a Wedding Gown Exhibit- 100 years of wedding gown styles owned by NBPS members, exhibited for the entire month of June 2008 at Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum
Historical Hauntings
- Historical Hauntings Inaugural 2003
- Historical Hauntings “Faces from the Past” Dinner Theatre 2002
- Historical Hauntings “The Naughty and Notorious” Dinner Theatre 2010
Charles Morgan Celebrations June 2014
NBPS presented “Charles Morgan and his Contemporaries” a cemetery tour the weekend before the ship’s arrival with portrayers at all cemetery locations. NBPS Members also did character portrayals on the Charles Morgan ship.
Or send a checks payable to:
New Bedford Preservation Society
P.O. Box 1618,
New Bedford MA 02740
15 Johnny Cake Hill,
New Bedford, MA 02740.
50/50 Campaign
The New Bedford Preservation Society Turns 50 in 2024!
The 50/50 Campaign is in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. We ask our supporters to donate $50 dollars with the goal of $5000.
In 1974 a group of private citizens banded together to try to halt plan by the state to widen County Street, a plan that would destroy the mature elm trees that had arched over the street. That group of local citizens became the New Bedford Preservation Society. NBPS is a mostly volunteer effort as it continues its efforts to protect and preserve properties and landscapes of historic and architectural significance throughout the city.
Membership
The New Bedford Preservation Society relies strongly upon membership dues to help offset its small operating costs and allow for the delivery of programs that support our mission.
For fifty years now the Preservation Society has been dedicated to 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. Members will receive e-news, advance notice and discounts on events and volunteer opportunities.
Individual Levels
- Senior*/Student – $25
- Individual – $30
- Family/Dual – $40
- Associate – $50
- Contributing – $75
- Patron – $100
Corporate Preservation Supporters
Be part of the effort to preserve the city architecture and history!
New Bedford Preservation Society endeavors to preserve the history of the people who built New Bedford for present and future generations. Donations support NBPS educational programs and historical research.
Corporate Levels
- Greek Revival – $100
- Italianate – $250
- Georgian Revival – $500
- Queen Anne – $1,000
- Octagon – $2,500
- Gothic – $5,000
