Built in 1831, the Seamen's Bethel was made famous through Herman Melville's beloved novel Moby-Dick. Currently, the building remains a house of prayer and bears cenotaphs of whalemen and fishermen who have lost their lives to the sea dating back to before 1900 thru present day. The Mariner's Home, built in 1787, was donated to the New Bedford Port Society in 1850 for the sole purpose of creating a haven for seamen while in port. Durland and Van Voorhis completed a study to weigh the options of window replacement versus window restoration. Restoration was the chosen route to preserve the historic character of the buildings. The Mariner's Home is currently awaiting funding. The Seamen's Bethel window restoration was recently completed and is now ready to contribute to New Bedford's rich history for many years to come.
