Ocean to Plate: New Bedford Fishing Community

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We're looking for friendly individuals who want to get involved in the community - whether you're part of a fishing family, interested in history, or just enjoy talking to people, we'd love to have you!

There are a variety of opportunities for volunteers, ranging from welcoming visitors and staffing the reception area to assisting with educational programs, research, collections management, and special events!

Members of the commercial fishing community - we invite you to share your industry knowledge by leading walking tours of the waterfront, demonstrating industry skills and marine crafts, or talking to school groups about your work.

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, located in the New Bedford National Park, engages visitors with our major exhibit More Than a Job: Work and Community in New Bedford’s Fishing Industry. With a working deck and foc’sle, the exhibit includes interactive elements like a fish identification board and a wheelhouse where you can operate the radar. Authentic voices from those in the industry are captured at 60 audio stations, and a celebration of the diversity of New Bedford’s fishing community is shown throughout. People of all ages are finding the Center moving, entertaining and inspiring!

We need volunteers to staff the Center and engage our visitors with the new exhibit by interacting in conversation. We also need volunteers interested in helping out with group visits, research, cataloging, and more.

Training is provided about exhibits, the gift shop, programs and the fishing community of New Bedford. If you and/or your family are fishermen please help us and teach us a thing or two! This is a great opportunity to share what you know about the commercial fishing industry and local fishing community. Volunteers are provided with talks from experts and tours of local fishing businesses as ongoing training.

Volunteer hours are flexible and can be scheduled according to your availability. Please email operations@ fishingheritagecenter.org for more information or call 508-993-8894.