Most of us are familiar with or have at least seen New Bedford's Whaleman Statue, also referred to as The Harpooner, that stands guard at the northeast corner of the New Bedford Free Public Library on Pleasant Street.

The monument features a harpoon-clad whaler in a whaleboat preparing to spear a breaching whale that will likely take him for a Nantucket sleighride.

Taylor Cormier/Townsquare Media
Taylor Cormier/ TSM Photo
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The statue was a gift of William W. Crapo. It was dedicated on June 20, 1913, to honor those who lost their lives in the whaling industry, laying "the foundation of the prosperity of this community," according to the website Destination New Bedford.

Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Crapo's Whaleman Statue is not the only New Bedford monument dedicated to the brave whalemen, though. Fifteen months after Crapo's statue was unveiled, the Barnard Monument was presented during ceremonies at Buttonwood Park. The monument stands in the center of the roundabout at the center of the park.

Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Chances are pretty good that you've driven by the monument, walked past it, or even rested against it during the Whaling City Festival and never really thought about what it is or why it is there.

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To be perfectly honest with you, I had no idea until I stopped to read the inscription mere days ago.

Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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The Barnard Monument, a gift of New Bedford native George D. Barnard, was dedicated on September 19, 1914. Peggi Medeiros wrote a piece for The Standard-Times in 2014 commemorating the 100th anniversary of the dedication.

Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Barnard moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he founded a free skin and cancer hospital. Barnard died in 1915, a year after the memorial was dedicated.

New Bedford is rich with monuments and memorials, a fitting tribute to those who in one way or another served our community and our nation.

Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Look Inside New Bedford's Abandoned Orpheum Theatre

New Bedford's Orpheum Theatre has been vacant for decades, but artifacts remain in place as an ode to its rich history. Let's go inside.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

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