New Bedford in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Mariner's Home

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 15, 2025

1. The Mariner's Home Marker

Inscription.
Home Away from the Sea
Whaling men spent much of their lives at sea. The ship was their home. Back in port, most of the poor, unskilled sailors knew no one in New Bedford and were essentially homeless until the next voyage.

In 1850 the daughter of William Rotch, Jr., one of New Bedford's leading whaling merchants, donated her father's house to shelter and feed needy seamen. After the whaling industry declined, retired whalemen, merchant seamen, and fishermen lived here. The Mariners' Home provides lodging for mariners to this day.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 41° 38.112′ N, 70° 55.415′ W. Marker is in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It is on 1st Street just south of Williams Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Bedford MA 02740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the South Coast. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Seamen’s Bethel (a few steps from this marker); Viking (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Seamen's Bethel

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving Whaling's Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); A Tribute of Respect to Enterprising Whalemen (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Robeson House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Andrew Robeson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Centre Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bedford.

Also see . . . Mariner's Home. (Submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts.)

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

2. The Mariner's Home Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 24, 2017

3. The Mariner's Home Marker

Photographed by Bryan Simmons, August 2012

4. The Mariner's Home Marker

The Mariner's Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan Simmons, August 2012

5. The Mariner's Home

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015

6. The Mariner's Home

View of the Mariner's Home.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 27, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on August 3, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 25, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. 6. submitted on August 3, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.