The New Bedford Whaling Museum has been collecting historic artifacts, documents, books, and photographs for over 110 years. The collection today contains approximately ¾ million objects of art, artifacts and original documents of whaling history.
Collections and long-term displays include a broad range of categories: fine and decorative art, folk art, photography, domestic artifacts, artifacts representing the history of technology and industry, books, manuscripts, maps and charts, ethnographic materials, clothing and textiles, and extensive personal, business, and financial records.