New Bedford’s Abolition Row Park to serve as historical attraction; ribbon cutting ceremony planned

Years of planning and after the past few weeks of finishing work, the City of New Bedford will be opening Abolition Row Park on Seventh Street to an anxious public. The park’s name refers to the rich abolitionist history which took place on the street.

The park is located across the street from the Nathan and Polly Johnson House at 21 Seventh St., which is also the headquarters of the host, the New Bedford Historical Society.

Abolition Row Park serve as a destination for tourists visiting New Bedford’s historic locations and the waterfront and a historical attraction for residents and visitors alike.

One of the important finsishing touches was the Frederick Douglass statue which was delivered last week, is now in situ, covered and waiting for the unveiling. The statue was sculpted by the nationally renowned Richard Blake who is known for his artwork of Black historic figures.

The City will hold a ribbon cutting at the officials opening on on Seventh Street, Friday, June 23 at 1:00pm. At the opening, a violin piece played by Joseph Douglass at one of his concerts will be on tap.

All photos by the New Bedford Historical Society: