The Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE, also known as WHALE, is a non-profit historic preservation organization located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Its mission is: "to promote the value and reuse of greater New Bedford's historic structures through preservation, education and advocacy".[1] The organization often promotes its cause with the words of one of its founders, Sarah Delano (President of WHALE, 1966-1982). Delano said, "if you bulldoze your heritage, you become just anywhere".[2]
History edit
The organization was founded by a group of concerned citizens in 1962, at a time when urban renewal threatened much of the city's history and architectural heritage. The original focus was on the city's waterfront district, a dense area of whaling era buildings suffering from severe neglect and disrepair.[2] WHALE took on the preservation/restoration of as many as 20 buildings within the district's boundaries over the years. This became the organization's first neighborhood revitalization project and lead to the establishment of Bedford Landing Waterfront National Register Historic District. With WHALE's leadership, the district would later be designated, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.[1] Over time, WHALE expanded to properties beyond this district, taking on preservation projects throughout the city. WHALE has now completed over 45 preservation and restoration projects in the greater New Bedford area between 1962 and 2009.[1]
In November 2023, WHALE received the Trustees’ Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who commended WHALE for its "tireless commitment to preservation".[3]
Significant projects edit
Since the 1960s, WHALE has completed the following projects:[1]
1960s
- Complete Inventory of National Landmark Historic District
- Benjamin Rodman House
- Reynolds Building
1970s
- Abijah Hathaway House
- Bedford Landing-Waterfront Historic District
- Bourne Warehouse Trust
- Caleb Spooner House
- Eggers Building
- Haile Luther House
- Henry Beetle House
- MacComber-Sylvia Building
- McCullough Warehouse
- Seth Russell House
- Sundial Building
- Rodman Candleworks
- William Tallman Russell House
- William Tallman Warehouse
1980s
- Edward Coffin Jones Carriage House
- Hatch Properties
- Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum
- Schooner Ernestina
- Zeiterion Theater
1990s
- Benjamin Almy House
- Connections Project
- Corson Block
- Custom House Square
- Grinnell Congregate Home
- Harborvisions Charrette
- Nathan and Polly Johnson House
- New Bedford Visitor Center
- New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
- Paul Revere Sign
- Re-Design of Route 18
Current activities edit
Today, WHALE is run by an elected board of directors and hired staff. WHALE staff positions consist of an Executive Director and an Office and Events Manager along with volunteers and occasional consultants.[1] WHALE works closely with other organizations in the area, including the City of New Bedford, New Bedford Historical Commission, the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), the National Park Service and more. Currently, WHALE is working on its Neighborhood Restoration Program, which focuses on the revitalization of the Washington Square Gateway Neighborhood, located in the New Bedford's south end.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f WHALE - Waterfront Historic Area League. 26 May 2009 <http://www.waterfrontleague.org>.
- ^ a b McCabe, Marsha, and Joseph D. Thomas. Not Just Anywhere. New Bedford, MA: Spinner Publications, Inc., 1995.
- ^ Killough, Catherine (8 November 2023). "Celebrating the Best in Preservation for 2023". National Trust for Historic Preservation.