The Morgan Whaleship Returns Home to New Bedford
Photo Credits: The Morgan, Charles W. Morgan, Mystic Seaport; Lagado, Whaling Museum; Whaling Museum, Destination New Bedford
Summer is Finally Here and New Bedford Welcomes the Morgan and You!
Summer vacation is a great time to grab the kids and take them to experience all of the incredible history that surrounds us. New Bedford has so much to offer and with the return of the Morgan to its home port, the celebration is in full swing.
The Charles W. Morgan is the second oldest ship still afloat, right after the USS Constitution, and it is returning to the port of New Bedford where it was built.
The Morgan set sail as a whaling ship in 1841, and made its final visit to New Bedford during World War II – after 60 years, the Morgan returns to New Bedford where it will be seen by many of the descendants of the original Morgan crew that still call New Bedford home. You and your family have the opportunity to tour this famous sailing vessel.
The Morgan is a registered National Historic Landmark and the perfect opportunity to add a little history to the kids summer vacation (sshhh, don’t worry we won’t tell)
The Morgan, Photo Courtesy of Mystic Seaport
While in New Bedford, at State Pier, the Morgan will be open to the public where there will be exhibitions, demonstrations and music – in addition to the opportunity to explore the whaling vessel. These wonderful events are taking place all summer in New Bedford and this week is no exception. Plan your family visit today.
Upcoming Events in New Bedford
June 30 – July 3
- Summer Camp for New Bedford Students
- Whaling History Symposium
Friday, July 4
- Fireworks and 4th of July Celebration
July 5
- New Bedford Folk Festival – the two day family oriented festival brings in 70 renowned and emerging performers and 90 juried arts and crafts vendors with continuous folk music from 11am to 9pm on seven sound stages in and around the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
- 42nd Annual Cape Verdean Independence Day Parade: Celebrate and recognize the culture and history of the Cape Verdean people in the United States, particularly in New Bedford, with one of the largest parades in the city, Cape Verdean food, entertainment and a carnival. For more information on the parade, visit the Cape Verdean Recognition Inc. on Facebook.
- Regattas and Whaleboat Races
July 6
- New Bedford Folk Festival
- Official Closing Ceremony
- Bon Voyage Party
For more information on the city of New Bedford please visit: http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/
For more information on the Charles W. Morgan and its voyage, please visit: http://www.mysticseaport.org/visit/explore/morgan/
About New Bedford
With a population of approximately 100,000, the City of New Bedford is the world’s most famous whaling era seaport and the number one fishing port in America. This city is a wonderfully diverse, culturally rich community with a proud present, past and future.
More on the Charles W. Morgan
Charles W. Morgan Whaleship Returns Home to New Bedford for First Time in Decades
New Bedford welcomes oldest commercial ship in the U.S. with citywide celebration
NEW BEDFORD, MA (March 26, 2014) – This summer, the City of New Bedford will welcome the iconic Charles W. Morgan for its 38th voyage. The Morgan is the oldest commercial ship still afloat and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The only older ship afloat in the United States is the USS Constitution. The Charles W. Morgan launched from New Bedford in 1841, made its last visit to New Bedford during World War II, and will return home to the nation’s most iconic whaling city in late June.
To celebrate the Morgan’s return, the City of New Bedford is planning several days of celebrations and activities that will not only honor its rich history, but shine a light on the charming city as it is today with its working waterfront, rising culinary scene, stunning architecture, and thriving arts community.
“The ties between the Morgan and New Bedford are profound,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “We’re proud to host the Morgan, and even more proud to give residents and visitors an opportunity to celebrate New Bedford’s rich history as a thriving seaport.”
The Morgan was designated a National Historic Landmark by order of the Secretary of the Interior in 1966, and she has also been recognized with the prestigious World Ship Trust Award. She has welcomed over 20 million visitors at Mystic Seaport.
The Morgan’s journey will begin in Mystic, CT where the ship currently resides and head north to various ports in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In New Bedford, at State Pier, the ship will be open to the public featuring a dockside exhibition program including demonstrations, music and the opportunity to explore the whaling vessel.
This is a homecoming over 60 years in the making and there are many descendants from the old Charles W. Morgan crews that still live in New Bedford and will celebrate the ship’s return at the ceremony. The Morgan will arrive on June 28 and stay through July 6. During that time, there will be tours of the working waterfront open to the general public, food, music and cultural events. The schedule of events is as follows:
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For more information, contact: Dagny Ashley, Director of Tourism & Marketing, Destination New Bedford/City of New Bedford M: 508-665-3055, O: 508-979-1745 Dagny.ashley@newbedford-ma.gov
or
Molly Kravitz, Public Relations Manager, Connelly Partners, M: 317-919-5252, O: 617-521-5431, mkravitz@connellypartners.com
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