Historic places in New Bedford, Massachusetts

New Bedford in Bristol County has 41 properties on the National Register of Historic Places: 19 buildings, 14 districts, 5 sites, 3 structures. The first was listed in 1966 and the most recent in 2025. The most common areas of significance here are architecture, commerce, community planning and development. 6 are National Historic Landmarks: New Bedford Historic District, Rotch, William J., Gothic Cottage, ERNESTINA (schooner), Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties, Rotch, William Jr., House, U.S. Customhouse. Open to visitors: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Featured sites

Landmark

Rotch, William J., Gothic CottageNew Bedford, MA · Building

Landmark

New Bedford Historic DistrictNew Bedford, MA · District

Manomet MillsNew Bedford, MA · District

First Baptist ChurchNew Bedford, MA · Building

Hazelwood ParkNew Bedford, MA · Site

New Bedford Gas and Edison Light ComplexNew Bedford, MA · District

Wamsutta MillsNew Bedford, MA · District

Every National Register listing in New Bedford

1. New Bedford Historic District (also see also: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park)

   Listed November 13, 1966 · District · National Historic Landmark (November 13, 1966) · National significance · Access information not verified

   IndustryCommerce

   The New Bedford Historic District is a National Historic Landmark District in New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States, west of the community's waterfront. [Wikipedia]

   Bounded by Front St. on E, Elm St. on N, Acushnet Ave. on W, and Commercial St. on S · NPS record #66000773

2. Rotch, William J., Gothic Cottage (also See also: County Street Historic District)

   Listed February 17, 2006 · Building · National Historic Landmark (February 17, 2006) · National significance · Access information not verified

   Architecture

   The Gothic Revival cottage was built in 1845 to a design by noted New York City architect Alexander Jackson Davis. [Wikipedia]

   Town-level location only · NPS record #06000236

3. ERNESTINA (schooner) (also Schooner Ernestina; Schooner Effie M. Morrissey)

   Listed January 3, 1985 · Structure · National Historic Landmark (December 14, 1990) · National, State, Local significance · Access information not verified

   Exploration/SettlementTransportationMaritime HistoryCommerceIndustryArchitecture

   Effie M. Morrissey (now Ernestina-Morrissey) is a historic schooner on permanent display in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

   Steamship Wharf · NPS record #85000022

4. Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties

   Listed February 16, 2000 · Building · National Historic Landmark (February 16, 2000) · National significance · Access information not verified

   BlackSocial History

   Originally the building consisted of two structures, one dating to the 1820s and an 1857 house joined with the older one shortly after construction. [Wikipedia]

   Town-level location only · NPS record #00000260

5. Rotch, William Jr., House

   Listed April 5, 2005 · Building · National Historic Landmark (April 5, 2005) · National significance · Access information not verified

   The Rotch–Jones–Duff House and Garden Museum, formerly the William Rotch Jr. [Wikipedia]

   Town-level location only · NPS record #05000456

6. U.S. Customhouse

   Listed December 30, 1970 · Building · National Historic Landmark (December 30, 1970) · National significance · Access information not verified

   Architecture

   The United States Customhouse is a historic and active custom house at 2nd and William Streets in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

   SW corner of 2nd and Williams Sts. · NPS record #70000735

7. First Baptist Church

   Listed April 21, 1975 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

   Architecture

   The First Baptist Church is a historic Baptist church meeting house in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

   149 William St. · NPS record #75000251

8. Hazelwood Park (also John Halliwell Memorial Park)

   Listed June 24, 2010 · Site · Local significance · Access information not verified

   Landscape ArchitectureArchitectureEntertainment/RecreationCommunity Planning And Development

   Hazelwood Park is a public park on Clark's Point in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

   597-603 Brock Ave · NPS record #10000389

9. Manomet Mills (also Manomet Mill No.1 &; No. 2)

   Listed May 24, 2012 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

   ArchitectureCommerceCommunity Planning And DevelopmentIndustry

   The Manomet Mills are a historic textile mill complex on the north side of New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. [Wikipedia]

   194-194R, 200 Riverside Ave. · NPS record #12000304

10. New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Complex

    Listed June 3, 2002 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    EngineeringIndustryArchitecture

    The New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Complex is a historic district at 180 MacArthur Drive in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    180 MacAuthur Dr. · NPS record #02000633

11. Wamsutta Mills

    Listed August 19, 2008 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceCommunity Planning And DevelopmentIndustryInvention

    Wamsutta Mills is a former textile manufacturing company and current brand offering sheets, towels, bedding and other household products. [Wikipedia]

    Acushnet Ave., Logan, Wamsutta and N. Front St. · NPS record #08000794

12. Acushnet Heights Historic District (also See Also:Union Street Carbarn, Repair Shop; Dawson Building)

    Listed December 1, 1989 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    Community Planning And DevelopmentCommerceEuropeanArchitecture

    The Acushnet Heights Historic District is a predominantly residential historic district in central New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Roughly bounded by Summer, Weld, Purchase, Pope, County, and Robeson · NPS record #89002035

13. Butler Flats Light Station

    Listed June 15, 1987 · Structure · National, State, Local significance · Access information not verified

    EngineeringTransportationArchitectureMaritime History

    Butler Flats Light is a sparkplug lighthouse located in the outer harbor of New Bedford, Massachusetts, at the mouth of the Acushnet River. [Wikipedia]

    New Bedford Channel · NPS record #87001530

14. Buttonwood Park Historic District

    Listed August 24, 2000 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureCommunity Planning And DevelopmentEntertainment/RecreationLandscape Architecture

    Buttonwood Park Historic District is a historic district on Kempton Street, Rockdale Avenue, Hawthorne Street and Brownell Avenue in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Kempton St., Rockdale Ave., Hawthorne St. and Brownell Ave. · NPS record #00000915

15. Carney, Sgt. William H., House (also Martha Briggs Educational Club)

    Listed April 21, 1975 · Building · National significance · Access information not verified

    Military

    The Sgt. [Wikipedia]

    Town-level location only · NPS record #75000243

16. Central New Bedford Historic District

    Listed April 24, 1980 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    CommercePolitics/GovernmentArchitecture

    The Central New Bedford Historic District is one of nine historic districts in New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. [Wikipedia]

    Roughly bounded by Acushnet Ave., School, Middle and 6th Sts. · NPS record #80000430

17. County Street Historic District (also See Also: Willia J. Rotch Gothic Cottage NHL)

    Listed August 11, 1976 · District · State, Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureCommerceCommunity Planning And DevelopmentMaritime HistoryConservation

    The County Street Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by Acushnet, Page, Middle, and Bedford streets (both sides) in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA. The district was a fashionable residential area populated by the city's elite from 1780 to about 1890, and includes the city's major civic buildings, including City Hall, the public library, post office, and registry of deeds. [Wikipedia]

    Roughly bounded by Acushnet, Page, Middle, and Bedford Sts. (both sides) · NPS record #76000229

18. Dawson Building (also The Dawson Block-Eagles House)

    Listed September 30, 1982 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceArchitectureSocial History

    The Dawson Building (also known as the Eagles Home) is a historic commercial building located at 1851 Purchase Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    1851 Purchase St. · NPS record #82001900

19. Donaghy, Thomas, School

    Listed March 2, 1989 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    Community Planning And DevelopmentEducationArchitecture

    The Thomas Donaghy School is a historic school building at 68 South Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    68 South St. · NPS record #89000041

20. Fire Station No. 4

    Listed July 24, 1975 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    TransportationPolitics/GovernmentSocial History

    The New Bedford Fire Museum is a local history museum at 51 Bedford Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. [Wikipedia]

    79 S. 6th St. · NPS record #75000250

21. Fort Taber District (also Fort at Clark's Point; See also Lighthouses of Massachusetts)

    Listed February 8, 1973 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    IndustryCommerce

    Fort Taber District or the Fort at Clark's Point is a historic American Civil War-era military fort on Wharf Road within the former Fort Rodman Military Reservation in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Wharf Rd. within Fort Rodman Military Reservation · NPS record #73001954

22. Griffin Street Cemetery (also Old South Burying Ground; Common Burying Ground)

    Listed March 19, 2014 · Site · Local significance · Access information not verified

    Landscape ArchitectureSocial HistoryCommunity Planning And DevelopmentArt

    The Griffin Street Cemetery is a historic cemetery in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    S. 2nd & Griffin Sts. · NPS record #14000062

23. Head of the River Historic District

    Listed December 2, 2009 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureCommunity Planning And Development

    The Head of the River Historic District is a historic district encompassing a village area at the head of navigation of the Acushnet River, which separates Acushnet and New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    2-28 Main St., Acushnet; 2-28 Mill Rd., 2-13 Tarkiln Hill Rd. · NPS record #09000965

24. Hotel Waverly (also Touraine Hotel)

    Listed January 26, 1990 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    Community Planning And DevelopmentCommerceEntertainment/RecreationEuropeanArchitecture

    The Hotel Waverly is a historic hotel at 1162-1166 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    1162--1166 Acushnet Ave. · NPS record #89002326

25. Howland Mill Village Historic District

    Listed May 30, 1996 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureSocial HistoryCommunity Planning And Development

    The Howland Mill Village Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by Bolton, Winsper, Hemlock Sts., and Rockdale Avenue in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Roughly bounded by Bolton, Winsper, Hemlock Sts., and Rockdale Ave. · NPS record #96000609

26. Ingraham, Robert C., School (also Ingraham Integrated Preschool)

    Listed March 2, 2010 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureCommunity Planning And DevelopmentEducation

    The Robert C. Ingraham School is a historic school building at 80 Rivet Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    80 Rivet St. · NPS record #10000056

27. Jewish Cemetery

    Listed April 15, 2014 · Site · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArtOther-EthnicLandscape ArchitectureSocial History

    The Jewish Cemetery of New Bedford, Massachusetts is located in the far north of the city, on Old Plainville Road, just north of New Bedford Regional Airport. [Wikipedia]

    Old Plainville Rd. · NPS record #14000155

28. Lightship No. 114 (also FIRE ISLAND; DIAMOND SHOALS)

    Listed May 30, 1990 · Structure · State significance · Access information not verified

    MilitaryEngineeringMaritime History

    Lightship No. 114, later U.S. Coast Guard WAL 536, that served as lightship Fire Island (NY), Examination Vessel (WW II), Diamond Shoal (NC), 1st District relief vessel, Pollock Rip (MA) and Portland (ME). [Wikipedia]

    State Pier · NPS record #90000777

29. Merrill's Wharf Historic District

    Listed November 11, 1977 · District · State significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceEngineeringTransportationArchitecture

    The Merrill's Wharf Historic District is a historic district encompassing a portion of the waterfront area of New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    MacArthur Dr. · NPS record #77000167

30. Moreland Terrace Historic District

    Listed June 3, 1996 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    Community Planning And DevelopmentArchitecture

    The Moreland Terrace Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by Moreland Terrace, Ash, Bedford, and Page Streets in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Roughly bounded by Moreland Terrace, Ash, Bedford, and Page Sts. · NPS record #96000610

31. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

    Listed September 29, 2025 · Building · Open to visitors

    New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    33 William St. · NPS record #03000283

32. North Bedford Historic District

    Listed September 19, 1979 · District · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureExploration/SettlementIndustry

    The North Bedford Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by Summer, Parker, Pleasant and Kempton Streets in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Roughly bounded by Summer, Park, Pleasant and Kempton Sts. · NPS record #00000899

33. Oak Grove Cemetery

    Listed April 28, 2014 · Site · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArtCommunity Planning And DevelopmentLandscape ArchitectureSocial History

    The Oak Grove Cemetery is a historic cemetery on Parker Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    Parker St. · NPS record #14000176

34. Old Third District Courthouse (also Institution for Savings)

    Listed September 28, 1971 · Building · State significance · Access information not verified

    CommercePolitics/GovernmentArchitecture

    The Old Third District Courthouse in New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States, is located at the corner of Second and William streets. [Wikipedia]

    2nd and William Sts. · NPS record #71000083

35. Palmer Island Light Station

    Listed March 26, 1980 · Building · State significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceTransportationArchitecture

    Palmer Island Light Station is a historic lighthouse in New Bedford Harbor in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA. The lighthouse was built in 1849 out of stone rubble. [Wikipedia]

    New Bedford Harbor · NPS record #80000433

36. Rural Cemetery and Friends Cemetery

    Listed April 28, 2014 · Site · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArtCommunity Planning And DevelopmentLandscape ArchitectureSocial History

    The Rural Cemetery and Friends Cemetery are a pair of connected cemeteries at 149 Dartmouth Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts United States. [Wikipedia]

    149 Dartmouth St. · NPS record #14000177

37. Smith, Bradford, Building (also Bradford Smith Property)

    Listed May 17, 1984 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceArchitectureSocial History

    The Bradford Smith Building was a historic building at 1927–1941 Purchase Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    1927-1941 Purchase St. · NPS record #84002216

38. Thompson Street School (also New Bedford Community Center)

    Listed January 26, 1990 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceEducationArchitectureSocial History

    The Thompson Street School is a historic school building at 58 Crapo Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    58 Crapo St. · NPS record #89002329

39. Times and Olympia Buildings (also Slocum and Olympia Buildings)

    Listed July 7, 1983 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    CommerceArchitecture

    The Times and Olympia Buildings are a pair of historic buildings in central New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    908-912 and 880-898 Purchase St. · NPS record #83000725

40. Union Baptist Church

    Listed June 16, 2008 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    ArchitectureBlackReligion

    Union Baptist Church is a historic church at 109 Court Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA. It was built in 1899 to a design by Nathaniel Cannon Smith in Shingle Style architecture. [Wikipedia]

    109 Court St. · NPS record #08000532

41. Union Street Railway Carbarn, Repair Shop (also Centennial Building)

    Listed October 2, 1978 · Building · Local significance · Access information not verified

    IndustryCommerceTransportation

    The Union Street Railway Carbarn, Repair Shop is a historic transit maintenance facility of the Union Street Railway Company at 1959 Purchase Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. [Wikipedia]

    1959 Purchase St. · NPS record #78000431

Other towns in Bristol County

Being on the National Register does not mean a property is open to the public. Many are private homes; please respect owners and view from public roads.