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Past Projects and Current Progress
February, 2025
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The end of February often comes with a glimmer of renewal – when spring feels closer than farther away. Though in New England we can’t discount winter hanging on tight for the next month or longer, the promise of sunnier (and warmer) days are ahead. We have been busy at WHALE; lots of behind the scenes work on programs, projects and planning for future updates. We look forward to sharing some of the amazing progress our partners have been making with their own projects and digging into our own archives.
I recently asked the board of directors what their favorite WHALE project was. To hear the different responses and projects, personal connections and ties to each, was insightful. We included one in our “From the Archives” section – that includes one of my favorite WHALE images ever. The work that we do creates connections and preserves memories and helps create new ones. This is one of the many reasons why we do what we do here at WHALE, each and every day.
Enjoy this edition of Soundings and thank you for being a part of WHALE!
Erin Miranda - Executive Director
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An Iconic Image
Spoilers - One of my favorite WHALE pictures of all time. This project is featured in our "From the Archives" section.
You probably know what it is, but the story never fails to impress!
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Patricia Miller shared the fascinating installation of geothermal climate control for the historic house museum Cheteau-sur-Mer. Its ability to have specific temperatures and humidity is a game changer for the house and it's important collections. | |
Living the Old House Dream Returns for 2025
The second installment of our “Living the Old House Dream” series took place this past Tuesday. Patricia Miller, Chief Conservator for the Preservation Society of Newport County gave a fascinating and educational presentation about incorporating geothermal climate control systems into some of their iconic “cottages”.
Using Chateau-sur-Mer as a case study, we learned the basics of how geothermal technology works and how it was creatively adapted to fit inside this historic mansion. The need for maintaining a steady temperature and humidity is essential for an historic house museum and its collection, but not without challenges. The Society is certainly an example to follow in adapting this technology to historic buildings and the benefits it can bring.
If you missed out on this series and are interested (fascinated) by the idea of geothermal technology, there is a similar presentation available on the PSNC’s YouTube Channel here. Many thanks to Patty and the PSNC for sharing this project with us!
“Living the Old House Dream” wraps up next month on March 25 when Laura Parrish-Lavin will share her experiences restoring the iconic Whalehouse.
For tickets, click here.
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Virtual Lecture from Patricia Miller about the geothermal installation at the Breakers in Newport. Available on the PSNC YouTube Channel. | |
Upcoming Conversation:
Creating Community with Cheap Old Houses: Thursday, March 13 at 1:00 pm
The National Trust for Historic Preservation will host a webinar featuring Elizabeth Finkelstein of Cheap Old Houses and Cristiana Peña of CIRCA Old Houses. They will share their love bringing these often-neglected properties back to life and the role they play in creating community across the United States.
This virtual conversation will tackle the joys and challenges around living in and owning an historic home, how these places create stronger connections to neighborhoods and communities, and how they bring a sense of wonder and fun to the preservation process.
The webinar is free. Click here to register.
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26,742 - What's in a Number?
That’s how many “hits” Places that Matter: New Bedford has received since it was launched just about 10 months ago. Incredible!
In May 2024 WHALE launched this innovative “mapping tool” for New Bedford, created in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land and funded by the 1772 Foundation and the Island Foundation.
Places that Matter is an online resource that includes a “story map” that outlines the process taken by WHALE and TPL, a “decision support tool” that features an incredible array of data layers and information about places around the city. The fact that the “decision support tool”, essentially the main map, has logged over 26,000 hits shows us that it is being utilized! That’s nearly 90 hits per day… not bad.
If you haven’t explored Places that Matter, click here. We have a video tutorial that explains how to navigate through, along with handy how-to guides. If you are interested in having a presentation or more detailed conversation about Places that Matter and its applicability, contact us!
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A 20 Year Milestone!
This month WHALE is proud to recognize our General Manager, Diane Brodeur and her 20 years with WHALE! If you've ever been to one of our events, called with a question or visited our office, been to an AHA! night or public program, you've probably met Diane. She knows all the ins and outs of WHALE, from our administration to our projects, she keeps us running smoothly.
She knows so many of our members and supporters, creating that personal connection that has made her the heart and soul of WHALE. We are proud to celebrate her on this milestone anniversary. Congratulations Diane and thank you for all that you do for us and our work in New Bedford!
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Partner Project Updates:
Strand Theater:
The Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford was featured on WBSM earlier this week, sharing updates on the Cultural Center Project. The center will be in the historic Strand Theater and is currently undergoing a major renovation. If you’ve driven up Acushnet Avenue in recent months, you can’t miss the change at the Strand. The historic façade is being reconstructed as phase 1. The original façade was removed in the mid 20th century and replaced with plain stucco.
Architects studio2sustain, inc. have done an amazing job of recreating the historic façade details from the original blueprints and very limited photographic evidence. WHALE is proud to be a part of the project team as historic consultant and providing project management support, along with studio2sustain, inc. as architects and AP Whitaker the general contractor for the Phase 1.
To read more and listen, click here.
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Partner Project Updates:
The Zeiterion Theater:
The Z’s restoration project continues to make amazing progress. If you follow the Z on social media or are on their mailing list, they’ve been sharing lots of updates and “behind the scenes” views of the work. The project is on track to wrap up by the end of this year and when completed, this cultural and civic icon will be poised to make an even greater impact on New Bedford and the entire South Coast region.
WHALE is working on the project team as historic preservation consultant for state and federal tax credits. It’s a fitting role, since we undertook the Z’s first restoration back in the 1980’s. The Z’s staff and the rest of the project team, including Wilson Butler Architects, Colantonio Construction and P3 and many more are doing an incredible job ensuring the theatre is prepared for it’s next 100 years.
Click to view recent Z updates.
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A recent New Bedford Light article focused on the Z progress to date, including a tour lead by The Z's CEO Rosemary Gill and Director of Development Molly McCarthy. Source & Credit: New Bedford Light | |
From the Archives:
Each month we will revisit a former WHALE project that shows the impact of our work and just how far we, and the city of New Bedford have come.
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A Building, A Block, A Blizzard: The Andrew Robeson House
(47R North Second Street) 32 William Street, New Bedford
What do these three things have in common? At first glance, not much but digging a little deeper into the WHALE archives and we get the Andrew Robeson House. Built in 1821, the house “dominated its block, showing off its Federal brick façade with marble lintels, French glass and fine detailing." The property took up two city blocks, including a formal garden, reflective of Robeson’s prosperity during the whaling era.
As time passed and the character of the area changed, pieces of the property were sold off. The Bourne Warehouse on North Second Street was constructed essentially in building’s front yard, obscuring it from view. By 1975, WHALE had purchased the Robeson House and the Bourne Warehouse to be the new home for Pairpoint Glass Works. But the need for more room for furnaces meant the Robeson House had to go – literally.
WHALE and the city of New Bedford decided to move the 550-ton brick building to a vacant site on the corner of N. Second and William Street, located about half a block away. (The story behind that site will be a future “From the Archives” feature.)
Moving a house is by no means a simple feat, and the Robeson House was a testament to the complexity involved in such an endeavor.
The building, originally on North Second Street, had to travel down William Street the wide way, and was literally scrapping gutters as it passed by the US Customs House. It was slow going, 4-5 feet of progress was a good day. Then the first contractor defaulted, stopping the building in the middle of William Street… when the Blizzard of ’78 struck. The Robeson House was stuck in the street, blocking the entrance to the adjacent Pequod Bar, which eventually became Freestone’s.
But eventually, the Robeson House finally settled into its new home at 32 William Street, nearly 6 months after it started its journey. The process was certainly one of WHALE’s most dramatic projects at the time and gave us one of our favorite archive images! The property was restored and sold by WHALE to new owners, now being used as office space. Its stately presence continues to contribute to the historic downtown. It’s a tangible reminder of the dedication of WHALE and New Bedford to preservation, revitalization and the potential our historic buildings and spaces embody.
Do you have a favorite WHALE project that you would like to see featured on “From The Archives”? Let us know!
For more past WHALE projects, visit our website.
Source: Not Just Anywhere - Marsha McCabe & Joseph D. Thomas
Photo Credits: WHALE
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Historic view of the Robeson House. | |
The Robeson House in either the late 60's or early 70's. | |
Making its way to William Street. | |
Moving a house is no small feat! | |
The new site waiting for the house. | |
Stranded and stuck on William Street. | | |
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Moving onto its new foundation. | |
Mark Your Calendars
Living the Old House Dream: Series held at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum & Gardens
396 County Street, New Bedford.
March 25 – 5:30 PM
Laura Parrish-Lavin
Laura purchased 100 Madison Street in 2015 and over the next several years, restored the house to its original splendor. The doors, windows, mantels, floors and radiators are all original to the house, which was originally built in the whaling days for Abby Taber Hunt, the daughter of whaling merchant Henry Taber. Later the property became the home of Catherine Melville Hoadley, the sister of Moby Dick author Herman Melville. Laura will share her experiences with not only the Whalehouse but additional projects, including the Crowell Farm, a 18th century property in Sagamore.
Click to purchase tickets.
May 8, AHA! Preservation Month
June 25: WHALE Annual Meeting at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House Museum & Gardens. More details coming soon!
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Make an Impact:
Join WHALE’s Board!
WHALE is seeking nominations and inquiries from those interested in joining our Board of Directors as part of our 2025
class. Directors have the primary responsibility of governing the organization but are very involved and invested in the projects, mission, and work of WHALE.
If you have ever wondered about getting more invested in our work, saving important historic buildings and giving them new life or sharing the impact that preservation makes on our community, now is the time to join!
Click here for more details. Interest forms are due March 30, 2025.
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2025 Preservation Awards!
Do you know someone who is passionate about preservation, restoration, history and place?
Do know someone who is a great advocate, a champion for the histories and cultures of New Bedford and ensuring they remain for future generations?
If so, consider nominating them for a preservation achievement award!
Nominations for WHALE’s 2025 Preservation Awards are now being accepted. A fillable form is available here and can be returned to our office for consideration. Nominations are due by March 14. The awards will be presented as part of our 2025 annual meeting in June.
Questions? Contact us.
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Your Support Means Everything
One of the constants in our 63-year history is the support of our members. We could not do the great work of saving, restoring and revitalizing the city’s amazing historic buildings without you and your support! We hope that you will join (or renew) as a member today and work with us to open doors for great things in New Bedford!
Thank You!
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Did You Know...
Donations of $1,000 or more to WHALE are eligible for a 50% state tax credit? As a CDC, WHALE participates in the Community Investment Tax Credit Program and recently received $300,000 in tax credits to pass along to those who make a signifiant investment in our organization. Learn more about how your donation can make an even bigger impact on WHALE here.
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