The Whalehouse - Historic Melville Mansion

07/04/2024

Last minute cancellation!! 🎆 Tomorrow, July 5 to the 7th! Discounted rate of $305 per night, normally $459. Contact me directly to book.

Perfect for extra family in town or a quick getaway!

Stunning Historic Mansion Near Ferry, Backyard

05/06/2024

✨VERY BIG NEWS✨ If you’ve ever thought about owning this stunning, one of a kind home, The Whalehouse will be hitting the real estate market soon! It is incredibly bittersweet as we have poured our hearts and souls into restoring this grand home, but it’s also the right choice for us to move on to our next chapter. We just completed some huge projects (entire exterior restoration and paint job, brand new Viessmann heating system for 14 zones, large bathroom remodel, backyard renovation and beautification, the list goes on and on and on) and it’s the perfect time to pass to its next owners.

For our overnight stay guests – we are not cancelling your stays! Please do not fret! Since it will take a while to close on the property, we do not foresee cancelling any guest stays for our season. If there are any changes, you can expect a note from me personally with all the details and ample, ample time with a plan. We are looking forward to this season and can’t wait to host everyone who booked a stay with us! And if you’ve been wanting to stay but haven’t yet (or have a gift card to use), please book your visit with us while you can!

If you ARE interested in purchasing this gem of a home in a gorgeous historic neighborhood, we are working with . She can give you all the details, as well as information about our Open House. And please SHARE this post with anyone you may know who is a historic home lover, we are on the hunt for an owner that will love her as much as I do! I’ll be sharing more info soon.

01/23/2024

Walk or drive (and park for FREE) to the Seastreak ferry terminal, only 1mile from The Whalehouse!

Free, on-site parking is now available to Seastreak customers at the New Bedford ferry terminal! 🚘 🚙

With deeply discounted commuter ticket books, and now free parking, getting to Martha’s Vineyard just got a whole lot easier on your wallet!

01/10/2024

A beautiful snowy shot by friend and neighbor Faith Kolb Matelski of our whale sculpture created by artist Charles Hauck 🐳💗

01/06/2024

The Moby Dick Marathon continues today at the New Bedford Whaling Museum! Loving this Lego vignette to mark the occasion from National Park Service LEGO Vignettes 🐳💗

Captain Ahab waited patiently for his turn to read Moby Dick, but the wait was fine considering he didn’t show up until chapter 28.
Good luck to all the readers sailing forbidden seas prepared for the 25 hour marathon reading that kicks off at New Bedford Whaling Museum today. I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, go to it laughing.

01/05/2024

It’s one of our favorite weekends in New Bedford! 🐳🐳🐳 The Moby Dick Marathon will kick off tonight and the New Bedford Whaling Museum has a whole weekend planned of great events!

12/29/2023

We’ve been working on a really big project the past 9 months which is why I’ve been a little MIA on posts… Say hello to Lucy Louise Lavin, born on Christmas Eve! ✨🌟💫 Tom and I can’t wait to share in so many moments of joy together as a family of 3, and really hope she likes old houses!

On a super personal note: the path to get here was not straight or easy at all - as I’ve come to find out, the things that are worth it rarely are. And while it’s not something I’ve shared publicly, I do hope our outcome gives others with fertility struggles hope. We are forever grateful of doctors, nurses and staff at BostonIVF and at BIDMC for bringing us here. Through it all, Tom has not waivered to hold my hand through all the tough minutes, days, weeks, months and years to get to this point... I am beyond lucky.

This past April, as we watched on a screen as they placed a teeny tiny embryo in me, the doctor said “it looks like a shooting star.” We hoped, our little Lucy, meaning “light,” would shine bright enough to come to be. And so she did.

Our hearts are beyond full this holiday season. 💫🎄🥰 We wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

12/20/2023

Gift someone you love a historic getaway! We offer gift certificates in any amount - simply fill out our form on our website and let us know how much you'd like to gift. You'll receive a printable gift certificate with all the information for the recipient to book a stay with us at any of our listings - the Entire Estate, the Main House and the Guest Suite!

Note that all stays are a two night minimum and current rates for our 2024 season can be found on our website and vary depending on the time of year.

12/11/2023

That time me and my best friend made an epic Whalehouse gingerbread house 🥰 It was about 2.5feet tall and took about 16+ hours to bake and put together. It was a great engineering feat!! The funniest part was that instead of ground ginger, we bought ground mustard 😂 Still tasted good though!

12/05/2023

Our Guest Suite has availability over Christmas for anyone looking for accommodations in the whaling city! Book direct with us and save 15%! 🐳

We are also opening the Guest Suite to a longer term tenant from January 9th to April 30. If you know of anyone looking for a cozy spot to land over the winter season, please DM me for details!

11/08/2023

Join us for a wedding tour TODAY, November 8th from 5-7pm! Book our historic mansion for overnight accommodations and rent the , a gorgeous historic museum and rose garden, for your ceremony and/or reception – both conveniently located within .1 miles of one another! This event is ideal for couples who have secured their date or are considering booking. Meet us at either venue, where you'll have time for a group walkthrough and we can answer any questions you may have.

For couples interested in booking The Whalehouse for their wedding accommodations but are not getting married at the Rotch Jones Duff House, you are also welcome to come for a tour!

Photo credit 💕

11/07/2023

Thank you to SouthCoast Today and Seth Chitwood for this great article about our episode of "Diary of an Old Home" on Magnolia Network!

"It's a beautiful show that captures the heart and soul of the preservation movement and showcases the dedication and passion of these homeowners,” said Laura Parrish, co-owner of the Melville House turned Airbnb.

“I have learned that there is a sense of camaraderie among old homeowners, as we all face similar challenges and triumphs in restoring and maintaining our historic houses.”

The Whalehouse appeared in an episode of 'Diary of an Old Home' on Discovery+ and Max on Nov. 3.

11/06/2023

Did you catch our episode of Diary of an Old Home on Magnolia Network last Friday? It shared the journey of how we sunk our hearts and souls into restoring this old dame, and we are so thrilled with how it came out! Plus it features New Bedford in such a lovely way – lots of beauty shots of my favorite Whaling City! 🐳🏡❤

If you didn't get a chance to see it yet, you can stream it on MAX or Discovery+. We are Season 2, Episode 8 on Max and Season 3, Episode 4 on Discovery+.

https://www.max.com/shows/diary-of-an-old-home/49218005-2cd1-4884-a8bf-b38c00cbaf81
https://www.discoveryplus.com/show/diary-of-an-old-home-us

11/02/2023

Our big news! ✨ We’re going to be on Magnolia Network!! ✨ This Friday, November 3rd, head to Max and Discovery+ because we’re going to be the focus of an episode of Diary of an Old Home!!! 😁😁😁

We have been working with producers since the beginning of the year, and this past May, the network sent a production crew to New Bedford to film us. We are so excited to be on Season 3 of this gorgeous show that shares the very personal journey of old house ownership, the lengths the owners have gone to save and restore them, and the unique history each of them holds.

To say we are honored to have been selected is an understatement! We can’t wait to see our episode of tomorrow! Tune in and let us know what you think!

10/30/2023

We have big, BIGGGG news!! ✨ But we’re not allowed to tell you on social media until Wednesday! Here’s a hint: it involves a camera and us being in front of it. 🫣 Any guesses?! Sign up for our newsletter to find out first! http://eepurl.com/gL2f9v

10/29/2023

If you happen to swing by the newspaper stand today, our article is the feature of the real estate section of The Boston Globe! What's even more exciting is that most of the homes that they photographed for the article are right here in New Bedford! Our city's historic architecture is something to be incredibly proud of; we have so many gems in our midst!

10/27/2023

We're in The Boston Globe! https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/25/real-estate/these-homes-have-pretty-scary-past-scooby-doo-even-thinks-so/
In print on the Sunday Real Estate section! Editors wanted to know – Why are so many historic second empire homes used as a spooky backdrop in films and tv series? So they came to New Bedford to do some digging, take pictures and ask us themselves! This article features some other beautiful second empire properties in New Bedford and a great interview from Eleni Glekas, director of historic preservation at Boston Architectural College. We're thrilled to be a part of it!

10/26/2023

Join us November 8th from 5-7pm for a wedding tour of The Whalehouse - Historic Melville Mansion and The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum. Elevate your future wedding celebration with this perfect pairing – a historic mansion for overnight accommodations and a gorgeous historic museum and rose garden for your ceremony and/or reception – both conveniently located within .1 miles of one another! This event is ideal for couples who have secured their date or are considering booking. Meet us at either venue, where you'll have time for a group walkthrough and we can answer any questions you may have.

Visit our event page for more info and RSVP to the event! Wedding Tour - The Whalehouse and the Rotch Jones Duff House & Garden Museum

Pictures from recent a beautiful Whalehouse/RJD couple, Katie and Emily!
Photo credit: Miranda Photo & Co

10/25/2023

Our friends at SeaStreak Martha's Vineyard and Seastreak Nantucket are now offering YEAR ROUND ferry service to the islands! The off-season is our favorite time to visit, with less crowds and still all the beauty to soak in. To any of our guests (and locals too), keep this in mind as you plan your getaways and excursions to explore and enjoy the Southcoast!

It's been 20 years since New Bedford has enjoyed daily departures from New Bedford to Martha's Vineyard.

10/18/2023

Old homes like this are perfectly imperfect and we wouldn't have it any other way. We have learned to accept things as they are, and find ways to honor the craftsmanship from people of the past. What's your favorite thing about an old house?

10/06/2023

Its official! The Moby Dick Marathon, a 25-hour read-a-thon of Herman Melville's Moby Dick, will be taking place January 5-7th, 2024! We love this going to this event every year at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. If you've ever thought about being a reader, they are looking for some! 🐳

09/30/2023

Last chance! Tomorrow (Sunday, October 1) from 1-3pm will be our closing reception for our Swain exhibition! Stop by the house to glimpse at almost 50 pieces from the 1960s-1980s when The Whalehouse was part of Swain School of Design. While you're here, take a tour of the entire property and see the restoration work that has been done over the last decade. As you'll see and feel, a creative spirit continues to flow through throughout the house, and we're thankful to the Swainees for their talent and impactful years here at the house!

Free and open to the public!

09/15/2023

Last week we had the distinct pleasure of sponsoring the XII International Azorean Whaleboat Regatta. The event was organized by Azorean Maritime Heritage Society and we were thankful to be a part of the event by hosting competitors from Pico and Faial. It's a wonderful thing to see the beauty of these boats here in New Bedford, combining the history alongside a partnership between two kismet paces, all for the sake of tough competition and camaraderie. We are grateful to be a part of your continued history-making! 🐳

09/11/2023

Reminder! Our next viewing of the "Chasing History in the Abby Taber Hunt House" art exhibition is THIS Thursday, September 14th from 5-7pm. Come tour the work and the house at this free, open to the public event, in partnership with Gallery X. As you may know, The Whalehouse was part of the Swain School of Design in the 60s, 70s and 80s – Our art exhibition showcases work done during those years, from students and faculty. It's a beautiful show from some incredibly talented artists!

08/31/2023

Wow! The Nao Trinidad, a 16th century replica tall ship, will be in our harbor next week! Here are the times you can go see it.

Destination New Bedford and Pope’s Island Marina welcome Nao Trinidad, a replica of the 16th century tall ship that sailed with Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet that circumnavigated the world. This year marks the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s historic trip!

Tours will be available Tuesday September 5 through Sunday September 10 from 10AM to 8PM.

Check out our blog post with our guide to visiting the Nao Trinidad!
https://destinationnewbedford.org/blog/

08/24/2023

Today is the day! We open the home this evening (Thursday) from 5-7pm to showcase work from students and faculty to honor the years this gorgeous house was a part of the Swain School of Design campus. It served as painting studios, classrooms, and library, artistic minds filled the rooms for nearly 20 years in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

We’ve also conducted research on other former inhabitants throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. This beautiful building has been called many names over the years - the Abby Taber Hunt House, the Melville Building, the Melville Bed & Breakfast, and now The Whalehouse — whatever the name, it’s home to whomever sets their foot in the door. We hope to see you!

If you are unable to join us tonight, we have two other showings! Thursday, September 14th from 5-7pm or Sunday, October 1 from 1-3pm. All events are free and open to the public.

08/21/2023

Thank you to SouthCoast Today and Seth Chitwood for this fantastic article to showcase our art exhibition opening THIS Thursday, August 24th from 5-7pm!

"In collaboration with Chuck Hauck from Gallery X, and former Swain School alum, The Whalehouse will host [many] pieces from former Swain students and faculty members on [August 24, September 14th, and October 1.]" We hope to see you there!

As the former home to the Swain School of Design, The Whalehouse will open its door to share art from past students and faculty members on August 24.

08/17/2023

https://mailchi.mp/fb45f07753b4/art-gallery-opening
Reminder! The Swain art gallery opening at The Whalehouse is NEXT Thursday, August 24th! We've started hanging the show, and it is - IN-CRED-IBLE!!! Three dates to view in person:
Thursday, August 24th, 5-7pm
Thursday, September 14th, 5-7pm
Sunday, October 1, 1-3pm

Opening NEXT Thursday, August 24th from 5-7pm, an art gallery exhibition at The Whalehouse! From 1969 to 1983, this home belonged to the Swain School of Design, an incredible art school here on the Southcoast. We are taking the next few months to honor those years and all the artists that created wo...

08/12/2023

UPDATE! New date for our opening will be Thursday August 24th!

Opening next Thursday, August 24th from 5-8pm, an art gallery exhibition at The Whalehouse! From 1969 to 1983, this home belonged to the Swain School of Design, an incredible art school here on the Southcoast. We are taking the next few months to honor those years and all the artists that created work here by showcasing Swain student and faculty artwork at the house! We’ve also curated a house history timeline and documented those that called it home (with hopes that more stories from the past will be shared!) Come to view on August 24th from 5-8pm, September 14th 5-8pm or our closing reception on October 1 from 1-3pm. All are welcome! Open free to the public for those dates only!

07/12/2023

I had the pleasure of speaking with old home restorer and architect Katharine MacPhail on her podcast Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven! Available on Apple or wherever you stream your podcasts! 🐳🏡 We chatted about how I came to own this gorgeous property, the importance of finding the correct people to work on your historic home, and lessons I've learned along the way. We talk about Airbnb-ing our historic properties, and some tips if others were interested in doing the same with their old house.

This is my journey of how I purchased a money pit, respectfully renovated it, and now, with my husband, am the proud owner of three properties with history. My dream projects that keep me busy The Whalehouse, The Minnow, and Old Crowell Farm. Thank you Katharine for having me on!

‎Show Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven, Ep Renovating and Renting Out Historic Properties - Jul 12, 2023