New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival are teaming up to offer 2 one-week summer camp programs for New Bedford children ages 9-10 (entering grades 4 & 5 in the fall of 2012). Designed to give kids an introduction to the history and culture of the working port from whaling days to the present, camp activities will include: hands-on marine science, arts and crafts, daily fieldtrips, chantey singing and more.
The camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the weeks of July 30th and August 6th and will be based out of the National Park’s Corson Maritime Learning Center (located adjacent to the Visitor Center on William Street). The camp will be offered free of charge.
Interested families must complete and submit an application form by May 31st. Campers will be selected through a lottery process and notified by June 8th. If you are interested in obtaining an application form, please contact the National Park at 508-996-4095 or the Working Waterfront Festival office at 508-993-8894. Applications may also be downloaded from http://www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org or http://www.nps.gov/nebe/index.htm
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Fairhaven (The Movie) Review
by Marilyn Watts
Last winter my brother Doug and I decided to answer an open casting call for extras in a movie filmed in Fairhaven and, for a lark, we ventured down to the Zeiterion Theatre on a cold January night. We were pleasantly surprised when we got called in as extras. Doug was cast in the funeral scene and I was cast as a grocery shopper. Recently, we had the pleasure of attending the Independent Film Festival in Boston to to see the completed film, Fairhaven (the Movie), which had just come from its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. What a beautiful film it is!
The film revolves around three men in their mid-30’s who were childhood friends and reconnect in their hometown of Fairhaven, Massachusetts for the funeral of one of their fathers.
A scene shot at Fairhaven High School.
Tom O’Brien is the multi-talented writer, director and actor in Fairhaven (the movie) and actor Chris Messina, who plays Dave, the dark, dangerous bad boy, collaborated with Tom on the script. Dave fled Fairhaven right after high school, and lost touch with his former friends while running clubs in Vegas. Jon, Tom’s character, is the former college quarterback who has aspirations to be a writer, but has been working on fishing boats while pondering his life’s purpose. Rich Sommer rounds out the threesome as Sam, the sweet, divorced single father who stayed in his hometown and works hard as a realtor to keep it together, while still harboring feelings for his former wife, Kate, played beautifully and soulfully by Sarah Paulsen.
The town of Fairhaven is another character in the movie. From the opening shot of fishing boats in the New Bedford Harbor to “the fort” scenes, Margarets, the Congregational church, town hall, Cap Log and Fairhaven High, O’Brien shined a light on the beauty of our town with his poignant script. Cinematographer, Peter Simonite, who is fromTexas, was impressed with the light here in Buzzards Bay and really showed off the breathtaking beauty of the Southcoast. The unexpected heavy snowfall only added to nature’s beauty. Tom was said to have pictured the film made in the fall season with football and colorful leaves as backdrop, but about two feet of snow dropped on the first day of shooting. He now says that he can’t imagine the film in any other season.
The film explores our search for happiness while revisiting the past and looking to the future. A running theme throughout the movie is a Tom Brady quote that disturbs Jon. After winning three superbowls and marrying a supermodel, Tom was quoted as saying, “Is this all there is?” Sensitive, Jon discusses this with each of his friends, while searching for his next step in life. Each character carries his own baggage, and over the course of the weekend these friends reconnect and try to sort out their own lives and friendships. Although the dialog is excellent, these characters portray so much emotion and passion with their expressions and body language than any dialog could portray.
Scene shot at Lincoln Park.
There is a scene toward the end of the movie where Dave is walking in the snow and sits on a rock in front of the old roller coaster at Lincoln Park, now abandoned and in ruins. Those of us who grew up in this area have fond memories of Lincoln Park where we spent endless hours on rides at the amusement park, roller skating at the pavilion, and as teenagers, attending dances in the ballroom. I always feel wistful as I drive past the old abandoned park and this symbolic scene was the perfect metaphor. Three aging men are looking back on their youth, dealing with the death of a parent and wondering where their future will take them.
The audience at the film festival was enthralled with the movie and broke into applause at the end. I recently read that Fairhaven won the Audience Appreciation Award. At a question and answer session at the end of the film, I thanked Tom for his beautiful movie and mentioned that Fairhaven celebrates 200 years this year, and would be a perfect time to share his film with the locals. He mentioned that he was working on a possible showing at the Zeiterion Theatre this summer. This is a film you do not want to miss! And even though my scene was cut in the movie and my name was mis-spelled in the credits, all is forgiven as I have fallen in love with this movie. And if you get the opportunity, I know you will too!
Fairhaven (The Movie) Trailer
24th Annual “FORE…the Children” Golf Tournament
The Schwartz Center for Children and McDonald’s of New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Wareham, MA are proud to announce the upcoming 24th Annual “Fore the Children” Golf Tournament on Monday, June 11th at Allendale Country Club in Dartmouth, MA.
Friends and supporters of the Schwartz Center are participating in the tournament to raise money for agency programs; all proceeds will be used to provide education, therapy, and medical care to children with disabilities and special health care needs in Southeastern Massachusetts.
In this event, which is sponsored by McDonald’s of New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, and Wareham, single golfers as well as teams of four will tee off at the Allendale Country Club in North Dartmouth at 1:00pm on Monday, June 11, 2012.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, as well as for those individuals coming “closest to the pin” and hitting the longest drive in the fairway. A dinner will be served at Allendale Country Club immediately following the tournament. Businesses also have the opportunity to sponsor a hole on the course, complete with 18×24 inch signage. To register or to inquire about sponsorship, please contact the Schwartz Center at (508) 996-3391.
The Schwartz Center for Children is a nonprofit organization with offices at 1 Posa Place in Dartmouth, MA. It has been serving children with a variety of special medical and developmental needs from birth to age 21 in Southeastern Massachusetts since 1947. Services include a Day School, Early Intervention Program, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Regional Consultation Program, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, and a variety of other programs.
10 Reasons to Visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum
1. Take a Guided or Audio Tour
The museum offers a few ways to explore and discover your way around, regardless whether you have come alone or in a group. Group tours of ten or more are offered at a discount rate and school group tours are encouraged.
Each piece you come across in the museum will evoke many questions, and you may not want to wander around on your own. For this reason docent led tours are offered. The trained docent tours are subject to availability, are 60-90 minutes long and can include one or more topics of your choice. If you would prefer to go at your own pace, but still want your questions answered, 3 audio tours are available.
The Lagoda/Bourne Building tour includes the world’s largest ship model, The Lagoda. Interact with the ship model as you learn about its important role in New Bedford’s history and whaling.
The Azorean Whaleman Gallery tour will fill you in on New Bedford’s connection with the Azores as a port for whaling ships. Browse the artwork, letters and documents.
The Jacobs Family Gallery tour will tell you all about the famous whale skeletons and Herman Melville’s description of them through commentary by the members of the Melville Society.
These tours are free (included with admission) and are currently only available in English. Other languages are planned for the future.
2. Rental: Wedding Receptions, Meetings and Events
With eight locations to choose from, the Museum offers quite the selection for wedding receptions, corporate or business meetings, fundraisers, dinner events or other function. Outdoor and indoor locations, intimate or large, scenic and panoramic – whatever you are looking for, the museum offers it. Have your function complemented by 18th century homes, cobblestone streets, historic works of art, or local history in one of America’s national historic parks. For more info go to Whaling Museum Rentals.
3. Go Shopping!
After you enjoy a tour through the various museum exhibitions, you’ll want to grab a memento of your visit or a gift for that special someone. There are hundreds of items to choose from. Jewelry, puzzles, dolls, shirts, games, office desk items, holiday ornaments, and educational items for teachers. Also available are CDs, DVD, and books covering sailing, New Bedford’s history, Lincoln Park, whaling, Herman Melville and more. There are even edibles like American Heritage chocolate and maple syrup!
If you fall in love with the artwork you discover, take a reproduction home as they are available through “Prints on Demand.” These are very high quality reproductions of the museum’s exclusive collection are surprisingly inexpensive and come in fours sizes and prices. They can also be purchased online at 1000 Museums New Bedford Whaling Museum Prints.
4. Scrimshaw Weekend On May 11-13 the Whaling Museum, the scrimshaw capital of the world, will host its 23rd Annual Scrimshaw Weekend – “the world’s only regular forum where collectors, dealers, curators, folk art and whaling history buffs share their interests in the indigenous art of whalers.”
On Friday, will be the Nautical Antiques Show from noon-5:00 p.m. Browse and purchase scrimshaw, logbooks, ship models, nautical instruments, photos and more for $5 or free with the purchase of admission. From 6-8:00 p.m. will be a special VIP cocktail reception where you can get a sneak peek at the Scrimshaw Exhibition and book launch for “Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved: Scrimshaw in the New Bedford Whaling Museum” by Stuart M. Frank.
Saturday, will be filled with Presentation Programs with various speakers interspersed with coffee breaks and a lunch buffet. Guest speakers will include President James Russell, Chicago native John Miklos, Donald C. Boger, M.D., Captain Thomas Conley, Scrimshaw artist Ryan Cooper, James Vaccarino, and Andrew Jacobson. An evening banquet will follow, and the night’s events brought to a close with keynote speaker Jack H.T. Chang, M.D.
The entire event will conclude on Sunday with the Scrimshaw Gallery opening, a field trip through the “Seven Continents, Seven Seas” exhibition led by Stuart M. Frank before the public launch of his book “Ingenious Contrivances, Curiously Carved: Scrimshaw in the New Bedford Whaling Museum.”
5. AHA Celebrations
Every second Thursday the city of New Bedford celebrates AHA, a showcase for New Bedford’s Architecture, History and Art. The Whaling Museum participates by staying open an extra four hours until 8 p.m. on AHA nights and often has live entertainment in the plaza. This is a very popular, family-oriented event that takes over the entire downtown. Not to be missed!
The museum has America's largest collection of banking records, and the world's largest collection of whaling logbooks
6. Visit the Library & Archives
One of the best kept “secrets” about the Whaling Museum is their Research Library and Archives. It is America’s largest collection of banking records, and the world’s largest collection of whaling logbooks. 18,000 titles in ten languages of colonial era documents, whaling history and voyages as well as historical documents of the surrounding cities and towns of Westport, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Acushnet. The library is comprised of property deeds, newspapers, government documents, banking and business papers, logbooks, pilot charts, rare books, art references and more.
You will encounter many surnames that are familiar to you today, but go back to the foundations of the region. You may even see your own! Names like Hathaway, Howland, Bennett, Gifford, Bourne, Nye, Cummings, and Sherman.
7. Volunteer
If you love the local history and museum, you can volunteer, meet new people and promote New Bedford’s rich history by becoming a docent and leading tours. The museum will provide you with a professional orientation and training program. You can apply online, and download their suggested reading list. Check out the museum’s volunteer page for full details.
8. Join the Apprenticeship, Internship or Scholar Programs
The Apprentice Program is open to New Bedford residents.
New Bedford residents who are a junior or senior at New Bedford High School and receive free or reduced lunch can apply for paid apprenticeship. Those who excel academically, and are interested in their local culture, and arts and science will get hands on experience, write articles for the museum blog site, develop problem solving, organization and team-building skills, and learn to interact publicly.
If you are a college student that has an interest in a specific field of museum work, you may find an opportunity to get theoretical, methodological and practical training through the museum’s College Internship Course. Departments, which are dependent upon availability include Accounting/Financing, Archives & Library, Museum Development & Management, Education and Public Programs, Photography and Digital Archives, Exhibition and Registrar.
If you are an upper level college student or post graduate there are opportunities in one of the three museum programs. The “L. Byrne Waterman Scholarship Program” and the “Conservation Scholarship Program” will give you valuable work experience in the field of research and museum work, furthering your career objectives. There is also a “Visiting Scholar in Residence” program for those who can contribute their expertise from one day to a few weeks. The program is open to those who plan to conduct research in the old Dartmouth region or whaling industry “including academic scholars, public sector professionals in marine science or history-related disciplines, independent scholars, graduate students, writers, filmmakers, and educators.”
9. Moby Dick Marathon
Each year the Whaling Museum celebrates their Annual Moby-Dick Marathon with a 25-hour, nonstop reading of the book by over 150 readers. The marathon takes place each January, and is complemented by special exhibits, artwork, slideshows, ticketed buffet dinner, cash bar, lectures, a Q&A and other events and activities. Prizes are given away and the event is accompanied by a live video feed via livestream.
You can read about the 16th Annual Moby-Dick Marathon’s fun filled activities, photos, and video at 16th Annual Moby-Dick Marathon.
10. Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
Last, but not least are the fantastic exhibitions the museum currently has and has coming. Currently there are 17 exhibitions and you can fill an hour or an entire day exploring. Discover the connection between New Bedford and the Azores and the Cape Verdean culture, stroll out on the observation deck to amazing harbor views, climb aboard the world’s largest ship model “The Lagoda”, gaze in awe at the 4 whale skeletons suspended from the Jacob’s Gallery ceiling, and see the amazing Scrimshaw, paintings, and other museum pieces. There is no such thing as a dull day at the whaling museum!
The New Bedford Whaling Museum's Lagoda is the largest ship model in existence.
Learn more about the current exhibitions as well as past, upcoming and online exhibitions.
New Bedford Whaling Museum is on 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740. Hours for May – September are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and open until 8 p.m. every second Thursday of the month for AHA. October – April hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and also open until 8 p.m. every second Thursday of the month for AHA. Open holiday Mondays, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Regular adult admission is $14. Seniors are $12, Students $9 and Children are $6. Children under 6 are free. Buy a membership and admission is FREE.
New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library is located on 791 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 – 4 p.m. First Saturday of every month 10 – 4 p.m. Admission for members is always free, non-members $10 however, the library is free for all on the first Saturday of every month. For directions, travel info and parking.
The Avengers Movie Review
By Shonna McGrail
Up front I want to say that I have been a DC over Marvel comics sort of nerd since I was a kid. Still, a nerd is a nerd and you can’t really be a nerd without wanting to check out The Avengers movie. However, as much as I may think Batman and Green Lantern are the coolest (where’s a Justice League movie already?), I have seen pretty much every Marvel movie in the theatres since they became a craze with Spiderman in 2002. I have waited until the end of the trailer each time for that wonderful little blip that inevitably came at the end of many of them, suggesting that an Avengers film was on its way. So was it worth the hype? I’m surprised to say that in my opinion, it actually was.
So, for those of you who didn’t grow up collecting stacks of comic books, let me fill you in on The Avengers. The Avengers were a comic series started in 1963 and featured a group of Marvel comics’ superheroes coming together to form a team of “Earths’ Mightiest Heroes.” Fortunately, the movie adaptation took some liberties with the original story line and we were spared some not-so-cool heroes like Ant-Man. The movie version features Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans) and of course, the dynamic Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). They are all brought together by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who began to appear after the credits in many of the Marvel films to recruit these super awesome heroes. Fury brings this team of more-than-human soldiers together to fight a force that threatens the entire Earth. Unfortunately, their egos are often also super-sized, and learning to work together becomes a problem in the race to save humanity.
I was excited to see this movie, but I was also skeptical. Besides my aforementioned bias for DC comics, I had seen this premise played out before with typically not so great results. Take for example, League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Granted, it was a weird plot bringing together random literary characters to fight evil, but it made for a really weird movie. Also there was the Fantastic Four which was a classic comic book crime fighting quad, but really kinda corny on the silver screen. Bring a bunch of quirky personalities with cheesy powers together and you’re bound to get a poor plot with a lot of bad one-liners.
I would say The Avengers was no exception to the weak plot/cheesy one-liners rule. The plot sort of dwindled at points and there was a bit that left you almost laughing upon reflection afterwards. So what made this not a flop? The all out, heart stopping action. And it didn’t hurt that the cheesy one-liners were actually quite hilarious. I was so thoroughly entertained for the full two hours and twenty-two minutes that I really didn’t care about how unfeasible most of the scenes were, or the bratty quality of the main villain.
Now this may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but would it help if I say that it was really, really cool? Now, I’m a well educated person who is well read and in my own mind I like to consider myself an intellectual. But I have no shame in saying I love a movie with awesome special effects and incredibly well choreographed action sequences and this movie had both. There were numerous laugh-out-loud scenes where the entire audience (may I add the place was jam packed) participated, and quite a few wowed gasps at some of the amazing visuals they pulled out in this film. I truly never tired of seeing the Hulk smash things to bits while Iron Man whizzed around at blurring speeds. This is what I dreamed of seeing as I read comics as a kid, and this was what made me really love the movie. They pulled out all the stops to bring comic books to life for the audience.
On top of all that, I would be amiss not to mention that the movie did dabble in some of the personal conflicts of the characters. There was Tony Stark’s cocky attitude, Captain America’s enduring code of ethics, Thor’s ongoing sibling rivalry and naturally Bruce Banner’s anger problems. With so many characters they could hardly delve deep into the hearts of each, but they were careful to touch on the human side of these super humans.
There were a lot of kids at the movie, and it seemed like a great family experience. Comic books are an American pastime, but keep in mind the movie is rated PG-13, really just for violence and some language. As we grow increasingly closer to summer I think this is a great film to kick off the start as it appeals not just to comic book nerds but to kids of all ages and to the kids within ourselves. Seeing good triumph over evil and loners learn to work together for the greater good is a theme that may be overused, but never loses its importance.
The Avengers Official Movie Trailer
Five Cinco de Mayo Events
by Nicholas Walecka
If only every holiday were on the weekend.
Holidays give us an excuse to drink, especially the drinker’s holidays. In 2012, we were blessed with St. Patrick’s Day arriving on a Friday for the first time in what felt like forever, and now we have Cinco de Mayo showing up shortly after on a Saturday night, aka Friday’s equally evil twin.
Most nine-to-fivers with a taste for booze were probably happy to hear this news. As we get older and attempt to be more responsible, we must also attempt to manage our potential hangovers. Weekend holidays allow us to celebrate to our full potential.
That being said, I’ve assembled a list of five things to do on the fifth of May in the New Bedford area that will hopefully help fill your appetite for entertainment, adult beverages, and Mexican fare, and though some aren’t necessarily Mexican themed, they should still satisfy your need for a fiesta.
5) Buster’s Sports Bar and Grill (227 State Rd., North Dartmouth) features a Cinco de Mayo party which includes drink specials such as $3 Dos Equis and Margaritas all day, as well as $3 Buster Burritos until 5pm. There will also be live music in the afternoon, and they will broadcast the highly anticipated Mayweather vs. Cotto boxing match that takes place that evening.
4) No Problemo (813 Purchase St.) presents “A Night of Reggae” featuring Adowa Sound Star Boy and Omega Sound Sista Laura, as well as their regular menu of delicious Mexican themed dishes. No Probs always seems to pack in a crowd on Cinco de Mayo, so don’t expect this Saturday to be any different.
3) Pizan’s (29 Union St.) will host local act Weld Square for “Weld Square Rocks While You Get Rocked” from 12-2am. There will be $5 sangria and $3 Coronas, as well as a number of other beers on draft and in cans. Pizan’s isn’t a big venue, so you can imagine an intense scene for one of New Bedford’s hardest rocking bands. “We’re anticipating there to be at least two broken windows,” said their animated bassist Kevin Nunes. Weld Square’s debut CD “Femme de Maison” will also be available for cinco dolares ($5).
2) The Tree at Kirby’s Irish Pub (818 Kempton St.): The Tree is a genre-melding band with a focus on fun and positivity. I like to consider them a jam-band with a duo of rappers (HiLoe and B-Ez) and a sweet sounding female vocalist (Michelle Oliveri), but they’re much more than that. You’ll have to check them out to understand what I mean, because trying to describe them with words does no justice to the smooth yet powerful sound they put out. Show starts at 10.
1) Mi Antojo Mexican Restaurant (95 Rivet St.) is probably the closest representation of authentic Mexican that this area has to offer. The wait staff isn’t exactly fluent in English, so you might want to brush up on your Spanish, and the food isn’t representative of what many of us are used to, so I see Mi Antojo as the perfect place to step outside your regular routine and into something a bit more Mexican for Cinco de Mayo. There will be a mariachi band to serenade you while you enjoy the various types of Mexican fare—I recommend you try the tacos with avocado or the pupasas with pork—and various other authentic Mexican traditions will be honored in the celebration. Oh, and they serve of cerveza and tequila and are open from 11am-11pm.
Massachusetts State Senate Approves “The Valor Act”
The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday unanimously passed “The Valor Act” – new legislation that will expand benefits and increase access to a range of services for veterans, active-duty military and their families, Senator Mark C. Montigny (D. New Bedford) announced.
“Today, the Massachusetts Senate recognized the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active-duty members by engrossing the VALOR Act,” Senator Montigny stated. “We must honor our veterans and members of the armed service with action, not just words. This legislation provides additional benefits and services not only to those who served our great Nation and the Commonwealth, but also ensures support for their families and loved ones.”
“I am proud to support this bill and proud of the bill’s sponsor, Senator (Michael) Rush, who not only serves this Commonwealth but has put his own life on the line to protect the citizens of our nation,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “Massachusetts does more than any other state to support its veterans. Even during recent fiscal challenges, we increased funding for outreach centers, homelessness services and mental health training to provide for the rising demand of returning veterans. The Valor Act will continue our strong tradition of supporting veterans and military families.”
Senator Rush (D-West Roxbury), a lieutenant in the United States Navy, returned in December from a 10-month deployment to Iraq as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve.
“This omnibus veterans legislation encompasses some of the very best ideas presented by my colleagues in the legislature and the veterans of the Commonwealth to assist veterans and their families with employment, education and services at a time when we are seeing an increase of military men and women returning from deployment overseas,” said Senator Rush, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “We want to ensure that Massachusetts remains number one in the nation in providing for our veterans, men and women in uniform, and their families. This legislation goes a long way in bringing this goal to fruition.”
The bill works on many fronts to help veterans and active military members improve business, educational and housing opportunities. For example, through the formation of public/private partnerships, it facilitates seed money for the start-up and expansion of veteran-owned businesses. It also promotes the participation of disabled-veteran business owners in public construction and design projects.
The legislation also removes certain educational obstacles by requiring the state’s public institutions of higher learning to adopt new policies and procedures for awarding proper academic credit for a student’s prior military training, coursework and experience.
The bill also makes it easier for the children of military personnel to transfer between school districts and states, joining 42 other states in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
To help ease the costs of housing, utilities, medical services and food for Gold Star Families, the bill expands eligibility for the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund. It also eliminates the $2,500 Property Tax Exemption Cap for Gold Star Spouses.
The bill also helps the courts better recognize veterans issues by making sure veterans and service members facing criminal complaints have a properly recorded military history and are considered for diversion and treatment options if eligible.
The Valor Act also does the following:
Prohibits local hiring authorities from requesting military medical records that are not requested by the Human Resources Department;
Requires the Department of Veterans’ Services commissioner to be a veteran;
Allows for at least a 90-day license renewal extension for service members returning from active duty for certain Department of Public Safety licenses, such as engineering and firefighter licenses;
Creates a local option property tax exemption for veterans who volunteer in their community, with a maximum credit rate equal to the minimum wage and a total exemption not exceeding $750; and
Directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, Department of Veterans’ Services, and the soldiers’ homes to study the fiscal impact of designating a non-profit entity as a state soldiers’ home.
The Valor Act, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, is the legislature’s latest effort to support veterans, military members and their families.
In past years the legislature has passed the Welcome Home Bill so that hundreds-of-thousands of Massachusetts veterans and military families receive better pay, war bonuses, more affordable life insurance, state college tuition waivers and increased annuity payments.
The legislature has also supported the MERIT Plan, providing new property tax and excise tax exemptions for active-duty military and veterans and their families, and has passed additional legislation allowing for increased cash bonuses for those returning from multiple tours of duty and work preferences for disabled veterans.
New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana: William Street
A neglected piece of nostalgia and Americana is the origin of street names. We give directions, our home address, or mention events that happened on particular streets with no afterthought. However, many street names have deep history and/or interesting stories behind them. How did they come about? Are they randomly assigned names? What exactly is a “Coggeshall”? Purchase Street is called so because that’s where people bought merchandise, right? William Street is named after some famous historical personage named William or is it a last name? Union Street? Is it named after an actual Workers Union or did it come about because of the Civil War?
Each week I hope to shine some light on the origins and history of street names. Some will be dull, others exciting, but all will be a light hearted journey through the history of the region. If you read these installments, learn a bit about local history and historical figures and maybe walk down these streets with a slightly different outlook, our mission will have been accomplished. Many of the streets are named after families that are still extant in the area, and hopefully you come away with a greater appreciation for the last names of friends or even your own family.
Since the history of the area is so vast, I would encourage our readers to share any tidbits of information they may have, even if only anecdotal. Let’s discover and explore together. We could build a local resource that contributes to the community.
William Street
This week we’ll take a journey down William street. Our inaugural street turned out to be an incredibly daunting task. Most street names that are named after a person borrow the surname. In this case, a person’s first name was used. There is an obvious difficulty associated with researching a street named after a person’s first name.
The history of William street goes back before the history of New Bedford as a city or even a town. It also begins, as is often the case with the origins of New Bedford with the Russell, Kempton and Allen families. We’ll get to them in a moment. Let’s set up our series.
1602-Gosnold at Smoking Rocks
New Bedford’s Earliest European Arrival
The first instance of a European setting foot on soil that would eventually be called New Bedford, was an Englishman named Bartholemew Gosnold in May of 1602. Gosnold is known for giving Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard their names. Cape Cod for its abundance of the fish, and Martha’s Vineyard named after his beloved daughter. The spot where Gosnold first landed in the local area is what is called Round Hill in Dartmouth. Eventually he made it to that harbor where New Bedford is today, before heading back to England in June of 1602. However, he had paved the way for the many Europeans to follow that came to the region.
In the early 1600s waves of Pilgrims and Puritans began to arrive and settle in the region. By 1628 John Endecott settled at Salem and began the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1630 John Winthrop brought over 900 people to settle the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and by 1640 more than 20,000 colonists came to New England. Settlers headed into the interior of the continent, and made their way to area that would be New Bedford.
Dartmouth Township; First Families
On March 7th, 1652, the region called by the local Wampanoag tribe “Acushnea, Ponagansett, and Coaksett” was sold to elders of what was called Plymouth Colony. Familiar names like William Bradford, Captain Myles Standish, Thomas Southworth, John Winslow, John Cooke, crop up as part of this group. Wampanoag sachem Massasoit and Wamsutta sold this land to the elders for “thirty yards of cloth, eight moose skins, fifteen axes, fifteen hoes, fifteen pairs of shoes, one iron pot, and ten shillings’ worth of assorted goods.” The land was dubbed Dartmouth and comprised of what would eventually become Westport, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and New Bedford. Settlers arrived in droves and the area of Dartmouth would be incorporated in 1664. Families like the Russells, Kemptons, Hathaway, Howlands, Aldens, and others would begin to make their presence known.
Between 1700-1750 the Russells, Kemptons, and Allens, who owned large parcels of land and cattle would start many businesses and begin to develop the area of Bedford Village. The first areas settled and developed were on the western side of the Acushnet river within what is now downtown, and particularly along what is now called County Street. Joseph Russell gave New Bedford its name after the Duke of Bedford-a relative that was involved in Whaling. As there was already (and still is) a Bedford,
Circa 1870-Looking down William Street from Purchase Street
Massachusetts the town was dubbed New Bedford.
The first mention of William Street that I could find went back to 1714 with a description of how the Kempton family and the Russell family would have their estates and properties deeded and bounded. A boundary line that was between Elm and William street split the Kemptons to the North and the Russells to the south. Joseph Russell was born in 1719 and lived at the head of William Street. So by the early 18th century the street has been named already. So which Williams were known in the almost hundred year span from Gosnold to 1714?
William Allen and William Allen
The earliest mention of a William related to the area was the name William Allen, son of George and Katherine. He was born in England in 1629 and departed Weymouth, England with his brother Matthew in 1635. While William Allen himself was not historically associated with Old Dartmouth, his brother Matthew was. It is unlikely, but possible that he named William street after his brother.
There was yet another William Allen, son of Joseph Allen and Sarah Holloway. Joseph Allen was one of the first proprietors of Dartmouth, owning a 1/34th share of the Township. His son William was born in Dartmouth on August, 10 1673.
William Bradford is a famous historical figure with ties to the Dartmouth Township that is familiar to most. He is one of the aforementioned early Dartmouth Proprietors that purchased land in the region in 1652. He is also one of the original Pilgrims that arrived on the Mayflower. His arrival as one of the first Pilgrims, stature, and participation in developing the region make him a good candidate for the naming of William Street.
The next mention of a well-known William is that of King William and King William’s War, which lasted from 1688–1697. King William’s War was the North American theater of the Nine Years War, which was a war between New England and New France, and included the American Indians. We have to recall that at this time in America’s History many settlers were newly arrived from England and still had close ties and loyalty to their sovereign. To name a street, especially one of the original streets would not be that uncommon.
Joseph Russell’s Sales on Prospect Hill
By around the middle of the eighteenth century much of the lands in New Bedford were in the possession of the Russells, to the South, and the Kemptons to the North. We know the boundaries because of confirmatory deeds dated May 25, 1714, that state that the Russells were bounded by a line near Clarke’s Cove on the south, and Kempton by a line near Smith Street; the dividing line was between William and Elm Streets. So there is no doubt by this time that William Street has had its name. The Russells’ land possession included William Street, and there was indeed a William Russell.
The final important William related to the area, is another William Russell. This Russell is responsible for the name of both Bedford and New Bedford and is simply the best candidate for the dubbing of William Street: William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford. Our Joseph Russell who is responsible for suggesting the name [New] Bedford for the city, suggested the name as a tribute to his own family that had status in England. William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford was born in 1613 and served as a politician for the majority of his life until his death in 1700 and purportedly had interests in Whaling.
So which “William” is our culprit and responsible for the name William Street? Which is your candidate? Do you have further information that could shine light on the origin? Please e-mail us at nbgarts@gmail.com or comment on this page.
William Street Timeline 1714-Kempton and Allen families have their lands officially deeded and bounded. Boundary is set between Elm and William Streets. 1719-Joseph Russell is born and lives at the head of William Street. 1765-Salisbury, England born and Nantucket whaling merchant, Joseph Rotch buys 10 acres of “New Bedford” land from Joseph Russell III and builds his first home on the west side of Water street just south of William. 1792-1795 William Street is expanded/lengthened. 1792-The first Congregational meetinghouse in New Bedford is built at William and Purchase Streets. 1828-Social Library is located at the Lyceum on 67 William Street. 1829-First Baptist Church is built at 149 William Street 1833-Perry Russell’s prussian-blue works on the corner of William and Sixth street caught fire and burned down. Sixth Street extended from Elm to Middle street. 1834-1836-U.S. Customs House is built on the corner of William and Second streets. 1837-Liberty Hall utilizes the old meeting house of the Unitarian Society at the corner of Purchase and William Street. 1838-City Hall is built where the Free Public Library stands today. 1851-The Congregational and Unitarian Church on the corner of Purchase and William Streets begins to use its bell to warn runaway slaves that U.S. Marshals were coming. 1853-New Bedford Institute for Savings building is erected at the corner of Second and William streets by Russell Warren. Building is currently the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park. 1863-The corner of William Street and Acushnet Avenue is used to recruit volunteers for the 54th Regiment, which is the first African-American Regiment commissioned in the North. 1877-Citizen’s National Bank is built at 41 William Street. Subsequently becomes the New Bedford Acushnet Cooperative Bank, Haskell’s Bar, the Pequod Lounge, before finally becoming Freestone’s Grill. 1889-The YMCA relocates to 147 William Street. 1893-Liberty Hall is demolished and replaced with the Merchants National Bank. 1897-Lupo’s Restaurant is built on the corner of Acushnet Avenue and William Street. 1906-A fire at the City Hall seated on William Street destroys the building. To continue functioning, City Hall moves across the street to the Free Public Library where it still sits today.
1909-New Bedford High School is built on County Street at the end of William Street. 1910-Former City Hall is finally renovated and opens as the Free Public Library. 1947-Carter’s Clothign and Footwear opens its doors at 55 William Street. 1955-Post Office on Acushnet Avenue and William Street is demolished. 1962-The one ton sea god statue is erected in Tonnessen Park on William Street. It is donated by Ana Hyatt Huntington to serve as a memorial to Whalemen and Fishermen lost at sea. 1971-The New Bedford Institute for Savings Bank at the corner of Second and William streets becomes the Old Third District Courthouse. 1996-The National Historic Park moves into the Old Third District Courthouse on Second and William streets. 2004-Mount Vernon Group razes the Lupo’s Restaurant building site.
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New Bedford Guide Seeking Sponsors for Photo Contest
by Michael Silvia
Unless you’ve been under a Facebook rock, you know that New Bedford Guide launched their first photo contest on April 21st, 2012. The theme was “Old Dartmouth” and within a week dozens of photographers submitted 157 photos of New Bedford, Dartmouth, Acushnet, Fairhaven, and Westport. The amazing photos were uploaded to the contest gallery for people to vote by “liking” their favorites. Combined, the photos received thousands of likes on Facebook. To say the first contest was a success would be a major understatement.
In this first contest (winner to be announced soon), the best photo will be selected and featured as the cover photo on NewBedfordGuide.com’s Facebook page for the month. This translates into the winning photographer getting their photo and name exposed to over 90,000 people in the southcoast region of Massachusetts. This is an outstanding opportunity for any photographer, but I’d like to increase the reward with a monetary payout through sponsorship.
New Bedford Guide is seeking a sponsor (or sponsors) for our May Photo Contest. Our goal is to have $100 -$500 and our New Bedford Guide’s Facebook cover for June as a first place prize. We’d also like to make this a monthly contest with the theme changing each month. This sponsorship will increase our contest reach and the number of photographers that participate. Sponsors would not only be supporting local photographers, but their business name would reach over 90,000 Southcoast, Massachusetts area residents.
As of today, we are accepting sponsorship inquiries on a first come first serve basis. Potential sponsors are asked to e-mail info@newbedfordguide.com with the month they would like to sponsor.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival are teaming up to offer 2 one-week summer camp programs for New Bedford children ages 9-10 (entering grades 4 & 5 in the fall of 2012). Designed to give kids an introduction to the history and culture of the working port from whaling days to the present, camp activities will include: hands-on marine science, arts and crafts, daily fieldtrips, chantey singing and more.
