Preservation. Celebration. | May 9th
Free Parking
Don’t worry about finding a place to park. During AHA! Night there is free parking at the Elm Street Garage located at 51 Elm Street, New Bedford.
Start Your AHA! Adventure At The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center
The AHA! website will be available for you to look at along with Park staff and volunteers ready to answer any questions you may have. The Visitor Center (33 William St) is
open 10am-8pm on AHA! days.
Follow the Flags
Many of our participating locations will have a yellow AHA! flag prominently displayed to help you find AHA! Night activities.
AHA! Happens Rain Or Shine
Be sure to check the AHA! event page, Facebook page and Instagram Stories as well as website and social for participating event partners for info about location changes, program rescheduling and cancellations.
AHA! Night Schedule | May 9th
12:00 PM
The Art of Amusement
Who says art has to be serious???
Humor, much like art, has the ability to transcend language and cultural barriers, connecting people through laughter and shared ideas and experiences. Stop in to Gallery X to enjoy our newest exhibition, The Art of Amusement, an exhibition of artwork dedicated to art that makes us smile and laugh! Whimsical and lighthearted works by dozens of local artists will be on display. Special thanks to Bryant Davignon of Seaport Realty for sponsoring this exhibition.
New Bedford Food Tour
Walk, eat, and get the inside scoop as NBFT visit restaurants that showcase New Bedford’s rich history and heritage, from Portuguese pastry to Cape Verdean cuisine. Stroll the cobblestone streets with their guide who will help you uncover the fascinating history of this historic area, from whaling days up to the present. You’ll leave with a full belly and the inside scoop on can’t-miss local delicacies and where to find them. Your ticket includes all tastings, restaurant tips, and a fun guide. Tours run rain or shin. This is a walking tour, covering approximately 1.5 miles of walking. Starts at noon.
To purchase tickets, follow your stomach HERE
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
Abstraction in Steel
Join George Bergman, Mya Ferreira, and Fiona Marques, sculpture artists from UMass Dartmouth as they exhibit works in steel at Gallery X during the month of May. The artists will be on hand for a reception during AHA night from 5:00 – 8:00pm, light refreshments will be served.
Make Your Own “Stained Glass” Design with Tissue Paper
Join Pilgrim United Church of Christ and Mercy Meals & More to make your own “Stained Glass” design with tissue paper.
While you’re here, learn more about Booker T. Washington, who gave a speech in our building in 1895 and visit the mural installed on the side of the building in 2023.
5 Pillars of Hip Hop – DJing!
5 Pillars of Hip Hop is a pop up program run in partnership with 3rdEyE Youth Empowerment and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park offering family-friendly and interactive activities. These showcases teach the public about the history of Hip Hop culture through live music and art demonstrations featuring professional and youth artists. Each month focuses on a different “pillar” of Hip Hop including; MCing, DJing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, and Knowledge (of self and community). The Pillar for May’s kick off event is DJing.
Into the Archives
This AHA! Night, explore new and rarely-seen objects and photographs from New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s archival collection! The Center’s archivist will also be on-hand to discuss FHC’s new online collection database.
Pathfinders: Paving the Glass Revolution in the U.S.
This exhibition chronicles the revolutionary impact Dale Chihuly and his peers had in reshaping the view of glass from the realm of craft into a valid artistic medium for sculpture. Runs April 11 – July 14. For more info, visit Pathfinders: Paving the Glass Revolution in the U.S.
Art Credits: KéKé Cribbs – Persephone, 2022
Glass Mosaics, reverse fired vitreous enamels on glass
5:30 PM
Places that Matter: New Bedford
Join the Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) and the Trust for Public Land as we celebrate the release of our Places that Matter: New Bedford project! Over the course of 2 years, New Bedford locals identified the historic and cultural resources, parks and recreation areas, public art and affordable housing opportunities that deserve protection, activation and celebration in the city. Learn more about the online map tool we created and how you can use it to strengthen your work in New Bedford! The event will feature a demonstration of the map tool, opportunities to ask questions of TPL and WHALE staff and for the public to try the map tool for themselves.
For more information on the Places that Matter project, visit WHALE’s website.
Historic New Bedford Map
Free Henna by Mandy
All ages are welcome to get a free henna tattoo by Mandy from Wicked Good Henna! Registration is not required and will be available while supplies last. Hope to see you there!
This program is supported by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Walking Tour and 50th Anniversary Party!
New Bedford Preservation Society (NBPS) will have special events and programs in celebration of their 50th year! Join them on AHA! Night for a walking tour of Bruce Barnes’ Favorite Five Historic Buildings. The tour steps off from the James Arnold Mansion, 427 County Street at 5:30pm. After the tour, the public is invited to join the NBPS Board of Directors, friends, and supporters for cake and refreshments at the Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum Garden tent, 396 County Street. Free and open to the public, no registration necessary.
Behind-The-Scenes: The Carpenter’s Son Restoration
Get a glimpse of museum collections and archives from an insider’s perspective. The Carpenter’s Son, a painting by Edward Simmons would only return to the walls of the RJD Museum after it had been terribly vandalized and restored. Hear the story of its conservation from Jeremy Fogg, Lead Conservator, Northeast Painting Conservation. Donations are accepted in lieu of a fee, as part of AHA! Night.
6:00 PM
Nathan & Polly Johnson House Tours
Nathan and Polly Johnson, prominent African American abolitionists in New Bedford, sheltered escaped slaves in this Underground Railroad ‘station.’ It was here, in September 1838, that Frederick (Augustus Washington Bailey) Douglass found freedom, a new name, and with his wife Anna, his first home in freedom. The house has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. Come tour this important, historical home right in our own backyard. Free and open to the public from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.
Music by Derek Dibbern | Photography by Andrew Kepinski
Join Cork Wine and Tapas from 6:00-9:00pm with live music performed by local singer/song writer Derek Dibbern. Derek is a Nebraska native and you might recognize him as “the guy with the top hat and Santa Claus beard!” Stop by on your AHA! stroll to enjoy live music, amazing tapas great cocktails, and original photography by local artist, Andrew Kepinski. Andrew’s work is hanging in the main dining room and showcases a very detailed history of downtown New Bedford.
Underground Railroad Tour
New Bedford was a port of opportunity and safe-haven for enslaved people seeking freedom and was home to many fugitive slaves before and after National Emancipation. On this compelling tour, lead by National Park Ranger Rufai, you will learn about the most powerful protest in our nation’s history. This tour will end at the Johnson House on Seventh Street which was Frederick Douglass’ first home in freedom. The tour kicks off at the National Park Visitor Center at 33 William Street. Free and open to the public.
“Unchained” Book Signing
New Bedford native Brian Mello will give a presentation and book signing on his book “Unchained “, a guide to breaking the chain of addiction for a new and better way of life.
Jazz Jam!
The Z invites musicians and music lovers to grab your instruments for a jam session led by sax player and music educator Emmanuel “Manny” Escobar! Shed all your cares, enjoy live music, improv and jam out with us. Musicians, vocalists, visual artists, and audience welcome. No prior jam experience or tickets necessary. The free Jazz Jam is from 6:00 – 7:00PM on AHA! Nights; May 9, June 13, July 11 and August 8 at The CO+ Creative Center.
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
Neal McCarthy Band
The Pour Farm will have live music with the Neal McCarthy Band featuring electric blues and rock from 8:00pm – 11:30pm. Be sure to stop by for dinner and drinks too on your AHA! stroll!
