New Bedford is the sixth largest city in Massachusetts, USA. Covering 24 sq mi (62.2 sq km), it has a population of 95,000 people (2011 estimate). The city is located in Bristol County, on the southern part of Massachusetts, at the estuary of the Acushnet River as it empties into Buzzards Bay.

Duff Building, downtown New BedfordDuff Building, downtown New Bedford
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Downtown_New_Bedford_MA.jpg
Author: Marcbela
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More on New Bedford

The inhabitants of the area, before the arrival of Europeans were the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans. The first Europeans arrived here in 1652. Settlers of the Plymouth Colony bought land from the Wampanoag chief Massasoit (whether this was done legitimately has become a matter of controversy) which soon led to troubles between the settlers and the Indians.

The town of New Bedford was incorporated in 1787. Until the beginning of the 19th century, the early settlers were mostly Protestants of English, Scottish and Welsh ancestry. They were joined in the 19th century by Irish, Portuguese and Polish immigrants who built Catholic churches in the area. By the early 20th century, Jewish immigrants were also settling in the town.

New Baptist Church, New BedfordNew Baptist Church, New Bedford
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:First_Baptist_New_Bedford.jpg
Author: Marcbela
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From the early 18th century until the early 20th century, New Bedford was a major whaling port. In addition it had the first petroleum refinery in the United States. The city also had a textile industry that only declined with the Great Depression.

Today the economy of New Bedford depends on fishing, manufacturing and healthcare. Tourism is a secondary but growing industry in the area.

Visiting New Bedford

Interstate 195 is the main highway passing through New Bedford. Other highways in the city include Routes 140 and 6.

New Bedford Fire MuseumNew Bedford Fire Museum
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Bedford_Fire_Museum.jpg
Author: Daniel Case
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Places of Interest in New Bedford

  1. Buttonwood Park Zoo
    One of the finest small zoos in the United States, a place for children and adult alike to view animals from around the world.

  2. Fort Taber & Fort Rodman Site and Military Museum
    Public park preserving the site of the historic forts at the southern tip of the New Bedford peninsula.

  3. New Bedford Art Museum
    Museum showcasing the works of artists from mostly the Massachusetts South Coast area.

  4. New Bedford Museum of Glass
    Museum celebrating glass, with display of glass artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Greece, Ancient Rome and more.

  5. New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park
    Waterfront park with visitor center recalling the bygone days of whaling in the city. Among the sights here include the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum and the Seaman's Bethel.

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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