Historic Melville Mansion Near Ferry – 3BR/3.5BA | House in New Bedford

Experience a special stay at The Whalehouse Main House, a magnificent historic mansion built in 1855 and former home of Herman Melville’s sister. The Main House is the formal side of the estate – entirely private, 3 br/3.5ba & 3800sqft of antique character. Minutes to downtown, Whaling Museum, ferries to Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard, Zeiterion Theatre, galleries & restaurants. Free parking!
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The Main House is a thoughtfully designed two-floor house with soaring 11.5’ ceilings and gorgeous painted ceiling medallions. Antique accents abound, giving the space a historic feel with modern amenities, so you'll feel right at home.
The Main House sleeps 6 comfortably, has its own private entrance, and comes fully furnished. The first floor has a full kitchen complete with cooking essentials, and a huge dining room with curved glass bay window. The living room has a lounging couch from Crate & Barrel, and a 45" Samsung Frame TV on an antique easel –the TV is set up to sign into your own streaming services. Everything you need to sit back and relax! The first floor also has a billiard room with a 9.5’ 1890's pool table, a sun-filled solarium and a half bath.
On the second floor you will find 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Bedroom 1 and 2 have queen beds; bedroom 3 has two twin beds. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom, with shampoo, conditioner and body wash compliments of Public Goods, a sustainable home care company. Crisp linens and fluffy towels complete your sleeping quarters to make sure you feel right at home.
Notes for our guests before they book:
•The Whalehouse has unique, historic architecture and things that have aged through time. If you love old homes, this is the place for you! If you'd like a scratch-free / modern home or hotel-like environment, this house may not be a good fit.
•Our family includes some love-able fur babies! They won't be there to welcome you, but it does mean this house is not suitable for those with pet allergies.
•Beautiful Windmill window ACs are installed in bedrooms in the summer. Ceiling fans are installed into the billiard room, smaller portable fans are located on the first floor. This historic house does not come with central air.
•The Whalehouse is located in the historic West End of New Bedford, conveniently walkable to downtown's amenities. Please note that while it is not directly in the city center, it is a bustling area so street noise is not uncommon.
Location:
As you arrive at The Whalehouse, you will be blown away by the ornate detailing of this historic home. The Italianate house was built in 1855 by Henry Taber, as a wedding present for his daughter Abby Taber Hunt. She and her husband and their daughter Sarah, lived here through the 1860s. Upon moving, they rented the home to Herman Melville's sister, Catherine Melville. The author was close with his sister and it's said would frequent the home for visits, about 10 years after writing his famous novel, Moby Dick. As you look upon the property and the surrounding neighborhood, you can see how perfect Melville's words feel as he vividly describes the homes' facades. It's easy to see how he could describe New Bedford as "the dearest place to live in, in all New England."
History:
During the 1950's the home was transformed into part of the Swain School of Art and Design campus, serving as the painting studios for the school. If you happen to go on a tour of the Main House, the host can show you the 3rd floor and widows walk/cupola where many of the students wrote notes that are now a part of history. In 1984 the home was transformed into a popular Bed & Breakfast for about 30 years. When Laura, the current owner, purchased the home in 2015, she promised to restore it to its former glory, and has been working on the renovation since. She and her husband Tom are happy to open the Main House to visitors so they can stay in a piece of history.
• Your private entrance is on Madison Street.
• Dedicated parking in our driveway. Additional free parking on Orchard Street. Park on the West side of the street (the side opposite The Whalehouse).
• There is absolutely NO parking on Madison Street at any time (including weekends). This parking is reserved for residents. (Please help us continue to have a great relationship with our neighbors by parking on Orchard Street. Thank you!)
The Whalehouse is located in the historic West End district of New Bedford. Take a walk around the neighborhood for a glimpse into our "Whaling City" past - well-kept whaling mansions and beautiful estates surround this area. Check out the historic Downtown, and our port – one of the last working fishing ports in the country!
•The Whalehouse is conveniently located minutes from Downtown New Bedford. We are also a short two minute walk from The Rotch Jones Duff House, and .5 miles from The Whaling Museum and Killburn Mill.
•Padanaram, Dartmouth, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Westport are all very close by. New Bedford beaches are to the south, and larger beaches, such as Horseneck Beach or scenic Little Compton, are a quick 25 minute drive away!
•Explore our working port, which is filled with shops, restaurants, galleries, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and the ferry to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Cuttyhunk
•There is FREE on street parking on Orchard Street, which is perpendicular to Madison. Park on the West side of the street (the side opposite The Whalehouse).
•There is absolutely NO parking on Madison Street at any time (including weekends). This parking is reserved for residents (please help us continue to have a great relationship with our neighbors by parking on Orchard Street. Thank you!)
Notes for our guests before they book:
•The Whalehouse has unique, historic architecture and things that have aged through time. If you love old homes, this is the place for you! If you'd like a scratch-free / modern home or hotel-like environment, this house may not be a good fit.
•Our family includes some love-able fur babies! They won't be there to welcome you, but it does mean this house is not suitable for those with pet allergies.
•Beautiful Windmill window ACs are installed in bedrooms in the summer. Ceiling fans are installed into the billiard room, smaller portable fans are located on the first floor. This historic house does not come with central air.
•The Whalehouse is located in the historic West End of New Bedford, conveniently walkable to downtown's amenities. Please note that while it is not directly in the city center, it is a bustling area so street noise is not uncommon.

Historic Melville Mansion Near Ferry – 3BR/35BA is located in New Bedford. Historic Melville Mansion Near Ferry – 3BR/35BA provides accommodation, featuring TV, Bedding/Linens, Child Friendly, among other amenities. This House features TV, Bedding/Linens, Child Friendly, to make your stay a comfortable one.

Historic Melville Mansion Near Ferry – 3BR/35BA has 3 Bedrooms , 4 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 6 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the New Bedford has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in New Bedford, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.