New Bedford Preservation Society Plans 50th Anniversary

The New Bedford Preservation Society is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

The nonprofit organization formed in 1974 to fight the widening of County Street. The Preservation Society lost that battle, but still has a strong presence in the city, educating all of us about New Bedford's historic homes and its famous people.

Society President Mark Fuller joined Townsquare Sunday this week to review the organization's history and outline projects for its anniversary year.

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"We're still trying to support restoration and preservation of historic properties in New Bedford," Fuller said. "We try to  encourage folks for instance, not to put vinyl siding on their home. Vinyl siding tends to destroy all of the architectural and historical character of these old homes."

Fuller said the role of the Preservation Society is purely advisory. He said the society is ready and willing to offer alternatives to homeowners seeking to preserve rather than alter their historic homes.

At the heart of the Preservation Society programs is its walking tours of historic properties, mills, cemeteries and gardens in the city.

Fuller said the society is trying to revive its Holiday House Tour, usually held in December, but canceled the past three years because of COVID.

"This will be our 29th Holiday House Tour,"Fuller said. "It will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. We're still looking for houses to visit and volunteers to help out."

If you are interested in assisting, or making a donation, visit nbpreservationsociety.org or call its office at (508) 997-6425.

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

The program highlights organizations and individuals seeking to make Greater New Bedford a better place to live and work.

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