Walking Tour: In the Footsteps of Douglass and Melville
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park · Massachusetts
Photo: nps photo
Next time
Friday, Oct 9 · 10:30 AM
Local time at the park
About this program
Explore New Bedford through the experiences of Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville, who both walked the streets of this historic port city in 1841. After escaping slavery, Frederick Douglass settled in New Bedford, where he found employment, community, and opportunities that influenced his future work as an abolitionist, writer, and public speaker. Herman Melville also found inspiration in New Bedford’s maritime culture and whaling industry. His experiences contributed to the setting and themes later reflected in Moby-Dick , where he described New Bedford as a city shaped by maritime commerce and global connections. Their experiences reflect how New Bedford’s industries, waterfront, and community shaped lives while connecting this port city to the wider world.
Follow in their footsteps and learn how New Bedford shaped two influential figures whose writings and experiences continue to connect New Bedford to the world today.
- Where to meet
- Walking Tours begin at the Visitor Center. A ranger or volunteer will meet visitors either inside the Visitor Center or Outside in the Visitor Center Garden before the tour begins. The main entrance is located at the top of the front steps on William Street.
- Good to know
- Walking Tours begin promptly at 10:30 AM. Please arrive a few minutes early to meet your ranger or volunteer before the tour departs. Comfortable walking shoes, water, and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
From the National Park Service.
Upcoming dates
- Friday, Oct 910:30 AM
Schedule from the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, checked daily. Programs can change, so check before you go.
At the park that day
Weather
69° / 51°
scattered clouds · OpenWeather forecast
Sunset
6:14 PM
Friday
No closures or road changes reported within 20 miles in the last week.
More at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Everything in Massachusetts →Fri, Oct 9 · 1:00 PM
Ranger Talk: A New Life In New Bedford
Fri, Oct 9 · 2:30 PM
Walking Tour: Blubber and Bones: The Products of Whaling
Sat, Oct 10 · 10:30 AM
Whaling Walking Tour: A New Life In New Bedford
Sat, Oct 10 · 1:00 PM
Living History: 1850's Ladies in the Garden
Sat, Oct 10 · 2:30 PM
Walking Tour: Underground Railroad in New Bedford
Sun, Oct 11 · 10:30 AM
Walking Tour: The History of New Bedford Harbor
