Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE)
Is a tale of “ordinary people who do extraordinary things”

WHALE was established in 1962, when urban renewal threatened entire neighborhoods. Its founders were committed to saving our city’s history and architectural heritage from “death by neglect and the tyranny of the bulldozer”. Perhaps, Sarah Delano, WHALE’s President from 1966-1982, said it best, “if you bulldoze your heritage, you become just anywhere” WHALE was founded to ensure that New Bedford is “Not Just Anywhere”.

Over the past 48 years, WHALE has facilitated the completion of more than 40 restoration and preservation projects in the New Bedford area. Because of its non-profit status, WHALE can enter into a variety of real estate transactions including purchase, rehabilitation, sale, and deed restrictions. With these capabilities, WHALE has been able to save properties which could not be handled by the private sector.

Without WHALE, there would be no:

1960’s
Complete Inventory of National Landmark Historic District
Benjamin Rodman House
Reynolds Building

1970’s
Abijah Hathaway House
Bedford Landing-Waterfront Historic District
Bourne Warehouse Trust
Caleb Spooner House
Eggers Building
Haile Luther House
Henry Beetle House
MacComber-Sylvia Building
McCullough Warehouse
Seth Russell House
Sundial Building
Rodman Candleworks
William Tallman Russell House
William Tallman Warehouse

1980’s
Edward Coffin Jones Carriage House
Hatch Properties
Rotch-Jones-Duff House
Schooner Ernestina
Zeiterion Theater

1990’s
Benjamin Almy House
Connections Project
Corson Block
Custom House Square
Grinnell Congregate Home
Harborvisions Charrette
Nathan and Polly Johnson House
New Bedford Visitor Center
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Paul Revere Sign
Re-Design of Route 18