WHALE Nomination Lands City of New Bedford as a Distinctive Destination in the U.S. Last September, WHALE nominated the City of New Bedford for a national  heritage tourism award presented annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. And, it paid off. On February 15, WHALE, the City of New Bedford and the National Trust announced the exciting news that New Bedford has been named one of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations in the United States in 2011. New Bedford is the only city in New England to be recognized this ... Read More

Structurally unsound. Slated for demolition. Fire-damaged. Exposed to the Elements. Workers from Wayne Construction Reconstruct the original roofline of the Howland House A worker from Wayne Construction stands ready to reconstruct the roof at the Howland House These terms correctly describe the 1834 John Howland Jr. House on 38 South Sixth Street in New Bedford. But, not for long. Thanks to WHALE, our members and supporters, and our partnership with the City of New Bedford, preservation of this endangered but rare, brick whaling merchant’s ... Read More

350 Purchase Street CHANGING THE FACE OF A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD by awarding four mini-grants for the sensitive exterior rehabilitation of owner-occupied historic homes in the historic Washington Square neighborhood just south of downtown New Bedford. There were several important facts that WHALE learned when we surveyed the Washington Square neighborhood and worked with residents to develop a Neighborhood Action Plan but probably the most significant was that the residents of this historic yet challenged neighborhood have a great deal of ... Read More

Four Condos to be built at One Washington Square By Lauren Daley The local Pella Windows distributor has donated $25,638 (sales tax included) to the historic house that the Waterfront Historic Area League is reconstructing at One Washington Square. Thanks to Pella Windows and Doors, located at 1325 Airport Road in Fall River— the City of New Bedford and the Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE), residents of the Washington Square neighborhood in the South End of New Bedford will be getting back an iconic property they lost to arson nearly ... Read More

In April 2010 WHALE, in partnership with the City of New Bedford and Mayor Scott Lang, saved the 1834 John Howland Jr. house from demolition and neglect by purchasing the structurally unsound building from its previous owners for $237,000. The rare, brick mansion has strong ties to the Howland family, a prominent New Bedford family, and our whaling history. Today, WHALE is working hard to raise the funds necessary to stabilize the property and put it on a path to becoming new again. Howland House Contributors (click link to see ... Read More

Local Bank Rockland Trust finances deal to save endangered historic property from demolition The Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE) yesterday officially purchased the John Howland Jr. House located at 38 South Sixth Street in New Bedford saving the property from demolition. The nonprofit historic preservation organization closed on the property Thursday afternoon, purchasing it from F & S Enterprises Inc. of Rhode Island. “Today is a great day for WHALE, the City of New Bedford, and historic preservation” said Lisa Bergson, ... Read More

The John Howland Jr. House 38 South Sixth Street, New Bedford SLATED FOR DEMILITION & STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND Historic Photo of J. Howland Jr. House courtesy of Spinner Publications ALL HANDS ON DECK! Together, we will save the 1834 John Howland Jr. House from demolition and neglect! This rare, brick mansion reminiscent of the magnificent architecture built during the whaling era was ravaged by fire in 2005 and has been exposed to the elements for more than five years causing severe deterioration. Making matters worse, its owners improperly ... Read More

In January 2008, days before WHALE’s Board was set to take a vote to acquire and rehabilitate the magnificent Queen Anne located at One Washington Square, the abandoned historic property was lost to arson. An icon of the historic Washington Square neighborhood, WHALE heard neighbors’ pleas to “bring back our house”. Since WHALE had sufficient documentation of the house, WHALE began plans to reconstruct One Washington Square. Washington Square residents have chartered their own course and, as a result, are going to get what they want ... Read More