Schools Can Come Aboard New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center

Education programs will continue this fall at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and local schools are being invited to join in.

The center is a fun place to visit and learn about the commercial fishing industry, both past and present. It offers programs geared to young and old.

Program Director Joe Ritter joined Townsquare Sunday to outline the Center's schedule for October and November.

The Fishing Heritage Center is opening its doors to area students and their teachers during the 2023-2024 school year, offering several standards-based educational programs for a variety of age groups.

"We are offering a lot of new programming built around our sea monsters exhibit," Ritter said. "For younger students, we are having them learn about sea monsters around the world, and have them create their own sea monster, using recycled plastic bottles."

Standards-based programs are also being offered for middle and high school students.

Teachers interested in working with the Fishing Heritage Center can call (508) 993-8894 or email Ritter at programs@fishingheritagecenter.org.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will again be showing films about fishing. Ritter said these "Dock-u-mentaries" are shown every third Friday, from October to March, at the Whaling National Historical Park Visitors Center on William Street. Admission is free and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

"These films give us the opportunity to explore the wider world of the fishing community, here in New England and internationally," Ritter said.

The first film is scheduled October 20 and is titled The Fish on My Plate, a PBS film exploring the health benefits of eating fish for every meal for one year.

The second film will be shown on November 17. It's a Nigerian film entitled Mami Wata, exploring the relationship between people and water.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is located at 38 Bethel Street.

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly community affairs program heard Sundays on WBSM.

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Take a Photo Tour of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is celebrating five years of providing education and information about the city's most vital industry. While these photos can give you an idea of what it's all about, the exhibits are interactive and hands-on, so check it out for yourself.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg