REFURBISHED CUPOLA LIGHTS THE WAY FOR NEW ERA FOR
NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM

NEW BEDFORD, MA (August 2006) – The New Bedford Whaling Museum’s classic bell-shaped cupola is one of the most recognizable landmarks in historic New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Beautifully at home in New Bedford’s charming 19th century historic district with its cobblestone streets, the Whaling Museum recently unveiled a shiny new copper-top on its well-known cupola.

One of the most famous residents of the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world’s foremost museum devoted to the global story of whales and whaling. The Museum, with its unique collections including scrimshaw, maritime art, genuine 18th and 19th century artifacts, rare whale skeletons and the world’s largest ship model, The Lagoda; is one of the key attractions featured in the region’s continuing efforts to expand the South Coast’s tourism industry.  

The Museum’s cupola crowns the Bourne Building, designed by Boston architect Henry Vaughan. The building was built in 1916 as gift of Emily Bourne, in memory of her father, whaling merchant Jonathan Bourne, Jr.  In restoring the building’s cupola, a slightly thicker gauge of copper sheeting was used for greater durability. The old copper cladding on the cupola consisted of 16 oz. copper and the new cladding is 20 oz. copper sheeting.

In addition to a new copper cladding, the Whaling Museum’s cupola is capped by a newly repaired whale-shaped weathervane.  The right whale weathervane was damaged when it was struck by lightning in August of 1994.  Consisting of 500 square feet of copper, the bright new cupola is the focus of new exterior lighting including four spotlights. Until the copper begins to develop a patina, the gleaming copper will be visible at night from some distance, including Interstate Route 195.

The cornerstone of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located in the heart of the city's historic downtown at 18 Johnny Cake Hill. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, admission is free for members and children under the age of 6, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (59+) and students with a valid ID, and $6 for children ages 6-14. For a complete calendar of events, visit the Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org.