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New Bedford, Massachusetts

Located in Bristol County, Massachusetts, New Bedford was founded in 1652. New Bedford has been the highest-value fishing port in the U.S. for over 20 consecutive years. Moby Dick's opening line 'Call me Ishmael' begins in New Bedford.
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Founded 1652 | Population 101,000 | Peak 101,000 (2024) | County Bristol County

Top 10 Most Important Events for New Bedford, Massachusetts

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1652 Founded: New Bedford was founded as a maritime community in Bristol County.
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1765 Whaling Capital: Becomes world's greatest whaling port.
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1851 Moby Dick Setting: Melville's novel begins in New Bedford.
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1928 Textile Mills: Cotton textile manufacturing peak.
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2020 Fishing Port: Highest-value fishing port in U.S. for 20+ years.
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Latest News in New Bedford

Apr 10, 2026
Pattern of Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists Sparks Calls for Federal Scrutiny
The quiet death of a veteran NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist in 2023 has resurfaced amid a string of unexplained fataliti…
Feb 13, 2016
Mom and Dad who Neglected Starved Baby Learn Their Fates
BOSTON — In a case that shocked many, a Massachusetts couple faced the consequences of their actions on February 13, 2016, after…
Feb 7, 2016
Teen Advised Take Pregnancy Test After he Complains Pain Side Gets Some
SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Back in February 2016, a Massachusetts teenager walked into a doctor’s office complaining of sharp pai…
Jan 26, 2016
Mom 3 Takes Closer Look Licence Realizes Something Very Wrong Photo
BOSTON — On a chilly January day in 2016, a Massachusetts mother of three found herself staring at her daughter’s driver&#…
Nov 20, 2015
Remember Woman who Sued 8 Year Old Nephew 127000 Over Hug Verdict
BOSTON, Nov. 20, 2015 — In a case that left people scratching their heads, a Massachusetts woman took her 8-year-old nephew to c…
Oct 28, 2015
Couple Gets Over 2300 Years Prison Child Pornography
BOSTON (October 28, 2015) — In a case that left many stunned by its severity, a Massachusetts couple was sentenced to a combined…

Complete Historical Timeline

1652 Culture
Founded
1765 Industry
Whaling Capital
1851 Culture
Moby Dick Setting
1928 Industry
Textile Mills
2020 Business
Fishing Port

Did You Know?

1
New Bedford has been the highest-value fishing port in the U.S. for over 20 consecutive years.
2
Moby Dick's opening line 'Call me Ishmael' begins in New Bedford.
3
Was once the wealthiest city per capita in the world due to whaling.
4
New Bedford is located in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
5
New Bedford was founded in 1652.

Famous People from New Bedford, Massachusetts

JT
John Tukey
Computer Scientist, Politician · Born Jun 16, 1915 · Died Jul 26, 2000 (age 85)
HG
Hetty Green
Financier · Born Nov 21, 1834 · Died Jul 3, 1916 (age 81)
AR
Albert Pinkham Ryder
Painter · Born Mar 19, 1847 · Died Mar 28, 1917 (age 70)
IJ
Irwin M. Jacobs
Businessperson, Academic · Born Oct 18, 1933 · Age 92
AO
Arnie Oliver
Association Football Coach, Association Football Player · Born May 22, 1907 · Died Oct 16, 1993 (age 86)

Other Cities in Massachusetts

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C
Cambridge
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L
Lowell
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B
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Q
Quincy
Pop. 101,000
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