New Art Installation at New Bedford's Whaling Museum Is Inspiring

New Bedford’s Whaling Museum welcomed a new art installation over the weekend to shine a light on the plastic debris that is harming endangered whales in our oceans.

The work of art by Elaine Alder is both beautiful and thought-provoking as it illustrates a major issue that our marine life deals with every day.

Here's where to find it.

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New Art on Display at New Bedford Whaling Museum

New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park artist-in-resident Elaine Alder teamed up with NOAA Marine Debris to create “The Water We’re Swimming In”, a steel sculpture woven with recycled fishing line, plastic ropes, and tires.

“The sculptures, made from recycled marine debris, symbolize actual endangered North Atlantic Right Whales who currently swim through an ocean filled with plastic and marine debris,” said the Whaling Museum.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program works with organizations around the country and globally to support efforts to research, prevent, and reduce the impact of marine debris.

The installation in New Bedford is the 11^th NOAA Marine Debris Sculpture featured at National Parks nationwide.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is a gem in New Bedford that fosters art, science, history, and culture. Art installations like Alder's continue the museum's legacy of combining art with important issues that directly impact the SouthCoast and beyond.

“The Water We’re Swimming In” will be displayed at the Whaling Museum’s Captain Paul Cuffe Park through September 2027.

New Bedford Whaling Museum

It's a big piece of New Bedford history is on showcase right downtown at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

Gallery Credit: New Bedford Whaling Museum

Lesser Known Museums of New Bedford

Everyone undoubtedly thinks of the New Bedford Whaling Museum when they look for an indoor day in the city. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. We found a few you might not have explored yet that are definitely worth the trip.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

14 Unique Museums in Massachusetts You May Not Know About

When you think of a museum, what do you think of? Maybe you imagine walls full of art or a giant T-rex skeleton at the entrance. But here in Massachusetts, we do museums a little different. While we do have your typical museums, we are also home to quite a few unique and sometimes a little off-the-wall museums that challenge the way we think about art, science, and what we hold dear. Take a look at 14 of the most unique – and treasured – museums in Massachusetts, and let us know which one you want to visit first!

Gallery Credit: Kari Jakobsen