New Bedford Museum’s Veterans Day Tribute

Tuesday, November 11 is a day to honor all U.S. military veterans. Originally named Armistice Day to mark the end of World Ward I, it later became Veterans Day in 1954.

The Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum and Veterans Memorial in New Bedford's far South End (formerly known as the New Bedford Military Museum) will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Veterans Day, and is inviting the public to stop by. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Museum President Bill Niedzwiedz visited Townsquare Sunday to discuss what's happening on Veterans Day and some new exhibits at the museum.

A Bell for Peace Rings Again

"We'll have a brief ceremony at 11 a.m., ringing the Bell for Peace," Niedzwiedz said. "It happened all over the country in churches in 1918 after the armistice was signed."

"After the parades, come down and visit the museum," he said. "We'll have coffee, cookies and donuts. It's an opportunity to take some time to learn about men and women from Greater New Bedford who served their country."

New Exhibits at Fort Taber Museum

Volunteers at the military museum are always updating exhibits. "We recently received some documents relating to the War of 1812," Niedzwiedz said. "We also have a piece of the first atomic bomb, and no, it's not highly radioactive. Recently, stuff has come in from the Grenada invasion, and the fighting in Ukraine."

Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum via Facebook

Honoring Local Veterans Year-Round

The museum has been busy this year, hosting Vietnam veterans groups on the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and holding a ceremony in August to mark the designation of New Bedford as a "Purple Heart City."

Monthly Speakers Keep History Alive

The military museum hosts speakers each month, touching on history and military-related subjects. The next speaking program will happen on November 23 at 2 p.m. Bridgewater State University Professor Dr. Paul Robinson will speak about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, action that prompted the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II.

The Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum and Veterans Memorial is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission.

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The Inaugural Cape Air Flight From New Bedford to Boston (and Back)

We had the chance to experience the very first Cape Air flight from New Bedford Regional Airport to Boston's Logan International Airport. Then we came back home on the first return flight.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg