Descendants of Whaling Masters Celebrating 50th Anniversary

An organization connected to New Bedford's whaling history is celebrating its 50th anniversary later this month.

The Descendants of Whaling Masters organization is planning a host of activities during the weekend of September 12-15, and the public is invited to take part.

Associate Member Rich Taber visited Townsquare Sunday to give us the history of the organization and outline the schedule for next weekend.

"The history of New Bedford and whaling is so key to our identity here in this area," Taber said. "Obviously, whaling was a worldwide enterprise, but there was no other port in the world as successful as we were in New Bedford."

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Taber said the organization started in 1974 under the direction of Ellen Howland, grand-daughter of Captain George Lyman Howland. Descendants of Whaling Masters now has 450 members, living in 30 states and surrounding U.S. territories.

"The organization now focuses on whale conservation," Taber said. "We've established a collaboration with the Center for Coastal Studies which helps with entanglements of whales in fishing gear and whale strandings. We are active in genealogy and research projects, and have contributed to the restoration of 12 portraits of whaling captains at the New Bedford Whaling Museum."

The 50th anniversary weekend begins Thursday, September 12 with a welcoming gathering at Merrill's on the Waterfront. Guided tours of the Whaling Museum, Seamen's Bethel and the Rotch-Jones Duff House and Garden Museum will follow throughout the weekend, along with board tours of the harbor and a bus tour of Old Bedford Village.

Another highlight is the dramatic reading of Whaling Letters, a book edited by Genevieve Darden containing letters from whaling captains to their wives, and return letters as well. It's happening Friday, September 13 at 7 p.m. at Gallery X on William Street.

The Descendants of Whaling Masters will hold its annual meeting on Saturday night at the James Arnold Mansion (Wamsutta Club). It includes a presentation by Joe Thomas of Spinner Publications about New Bedford's whaling history

The weekend will conclude with a service Sunday morning at Seamen's Bethel, followed by brunch at the Moby Dick Brewing Company.

The events are open to both members and the general public. Details on all the events and ticket information is available at whalingmasters.org.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.