It’s National Preservation Month, so you’re invited to join AHA! New Bedford for AHA! Night: Preservation Celebration on Thursday, May 14th, across downtown New Bedford.
Featured in this month’s AHA! Night will be the unique opportunity to join tours of the Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson House, covering the house history and its inhabitants, courtesy of the New Bedford Historical Society. The house stands as a quiet but powerful reminder that preservation is not just about saving a building—it’s about safeguarding the stories that shaped our nation. As the first free home of Frederick Douglass and his wife Anna and the home of Black abolitionists Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson, the house holds deep meaning as a place of refuge, courage, and new beginnings. (6-7:30 pm)
Over at the New Bedford Public Library, the library’s art curator will perform the first annual wash and wax treatment of the historic whaleman statue. Last year, the Whaleman by Bela Pratt was fully restored to its original finish, as it would have looked when it was first unveiled in 1913. To preserve this finish, the statue must be carefully washed every year and a thin layer of wax applied to protect it. The public is invited to join the process by asking questions. A lucky few patrons may be invited to help. (3-6 pm)
The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will open its newest exhibit, In History’s Wake, exploring the complicated history and legacy of the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and its impact on the commercial fishing industry. More than a mere examination of the MSA’s legislative history, this exhibit examines the evolution of the industry and the often-challenging relationships among commercial fishermen, the state and federal governments, environmentalists, and scientists. (5-7:30 pm)
The New Bedford Whaling Museum will host an Old Time Fiddle Session and Community Gathering from 6-8 pm. Presented by EPIC Southcoast, it will be a lively gathering of fiddlers, banjo players, and string band musicians. All skill levels are invited—come play, listen, or simply enjoy.
Note: The Whaling Museum will be free for AHA! Night, beginning at 4 pm, with a family-friendly whale scavenger hunt from 4-5:00 pm. Enjoy limited free museum access from 5-8:00 pm.
KICK OFF YOUR AHA! NIGHT: DOCENT-LED TOUR
Not sure where to go on AHA! Night? The AHA! team will be handing out schedules and answering questions at the AHA! table at the Star Store. This is also where you can take a tour with an AHA! Docent. New Bedford Food Tours’ Pam and Victoria will highlight many of the night’s activities as well as hidden gems, history, and food tips. The tours begin at 5:00 and 5:30 pm at the AHA! table and will last approximately 45-60 minutes. Attendees can “hop off” at any time to further enjoy their AHA! Night experiences. No registration required.
ADDITIONAL AHA! NIGHT ACTIVITIES
Here are some of the activities also happening this AHA! Night:
- Stop, watch, and join in for window karaoke with Abstrakt Lab. (2-5:00 pm)
- Take part in a hands-on conservation adventure with the Trustees’ Mobile Adventure Team at the National Park Visitors Center. From busy pollinators to coastal critters, discover how small actions can make a big difference for local wildlife. (4-7:00 pm)
- Explore the South Coast Artists’ 10th annual Spring Members’ Invitational at Gallery X. (4-8:00 pm) While there, join abstract artist Iria DeValles-Vieira from 5-8:00 pm as she presents a solo exhibition of her artwork in the Frederick Douglass Gallery, and see the pop-up poster exhibit featuring vintage Gallery X fine art reproduction prints. (6:30-8:00 pm)
- Celebrate and preserve memories by creating your own personalized memory jar with New Bedford Community Health. (4:30-8:00 pm)
- See thousands of pieces of art from students Grades K-12 during the New Bedford Public Schools Art Show. (4:30-7:30 pm)
- Explore New Bedford Research & Robotics this AHA! Night. Meet the team, tour the lab, watch industrial robots in action. See how the site has evolved from a shelter, to Glaser Glass, to today. (4:30-6:30 pm)
- Visit the Star Store for Curious Figure 3, a national juried exhibition highlighting contemporary figurative artists. There will be music from Mistah Dante, bringing bright, high-energy sound to the space. The evening is also a celebration of the release of the official Curious Figure 3 catalog. (5-8:00 pm)
- Sacred Birthing Center presents “Stone Soup: Preservation as Practice” at Bento’s. Bring a dish to share, a resource or skill, a tangible item, a connection, or a clear need. (5-7:00 pm)
- Stop by 3rd EyE Youth Empowerment’s radically inclusive community incubator for their monthly Open House (5-8:00 pm). Anomaly Poetry’s open mic night also pops up at 3rd EyE from 7-9:00 pm. Open mic sign-ups will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis and will continue until the poems run out.
- Local artist, Margo Connolly-Masson, will be popping up at PLAY Arcade with custom New Bedford block printing. Margo will have some t-shirts, tote bags, and postcards to print on, but BYO if you have something special in mind. Note: Black in will be used for printing. (5-7:00 pm) Later, pick up the mic for 21+ karaoke from 8:00 pm to midnight.
- Visit the exhibit RESISTANCE at the New Bedford Art Museum, and while there, use stamping and stencil techniques to make your own print, layering colors and patterns, inspired by the exhibit. (5-8:00 pm) It’s also the last night of the UMass Dartmouth 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition, with ArtTalks at 6:00 pm.
- Join Pilgrim United Church of Christ and Mercy Meals & More to create stained-glass art with tissue paper. (5-7:00 pm)
- Explore the exhibit Ash: Drawings by Elena Peteva and listen to the artist’s talk at the National Park Visitors Center. (5-6:00 pm)
- Hear from homeowner and preservation enthusiast, Laura Parrish, about restoration projects, including her restoration of “The Whale House.” Part of the Living the Old House Dream series from WHALE and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum & Gardens. (6-7:00 pm)
- Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and bars in downtown New Bedford.
- Downtown boutiques and galleries will be open late so you can shop for the perfect gift.
- Enjoy some speakeasy jazz from the Buttonwood Brass Band, on every AHA! Night at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel. (6-8:00 pm)
- Join Emmanuel “Manny” Escobar and Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor for a free, fun Jazz Jam session at the Zeiterion’s Speakeasy from 6-8:00 pm. Grab your instruments and play – or just enjoy the live music. Hosted by Blair Taylor. Followed by Wamptronica’s “Aaahhhh After Dark” from 8-10:00 pm.
- Get ready for a night of unscripted comedy where anything can happen during an improv comedy and open mic show featuring Badger Management at the Workers Arts Center at the Greater Southeastern MA Labor Council. (6:30-8:00 pm)
- Listen to the Buttonwood Brass Band from 6-8:00 pm during their AHA! Night residency at the Harbor Hotel.
- Cork Wine and Tapas hosts the Funky Cat Duo from 6-9:00 pm.
- Enjoy the Neal McCarthy Trio at Pour Farm Tavern from 8-11:30 pm or DJ Anj Kep at the National Club from 8:00 pm to closing.
Find the most up-to-date schedule on the AHA! website.
AHA! NIGHT FAST FACTS
- AHA! Nights are always free and open to the public.
- Look for the yellow flags! Most participating locations will prominently display a yellow AHA! flag to help you find AHA! Night activities.
- Park for free on AHA! Nights at the Elm Street and Zeiterion Garages.
- Museums, galleries, and shops will be open late.
- In the event of rain, some events may be moved indoors or rescheduled.
- The most up-to-date schedule is always available on the AHA! website. (Events are added every day!)
- On AHA! Night, a printed program can be found at the AHA! Welcome Table at the Star Store, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitors Center, the New Bedford Art Museum, and the New Bedford Free Public Library.
ABOUT AHA NEW BEDFORD
AHA! New Bedford provides and promotes free arts and cultural experiences for all across downtown New Bedford. For over 25 years, AHA! has helped build and promote a creative economy that, alongside other arts organizations and supporters, transformed downtown New Bedford into a cultural epicenter of Massachusetts’ South Coast. Programming has expanded to include music, film, storytelling, block parties, art markets, and more. Learn more at ahanewbedford.org.
