Programs & Events
MAY
Thursday, May 7, 2pm
House Tour
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion with an RJD Docent. Free with the price of admission.
Saturday, May 9, 1pm – 3pm
MOTHER’S DAY TEA
Enjoy a Spring outing in the historic garden of the Museum. Parties of two to eight people are welcome for seating under the tent. Your ticket fee includes tea, tea sandwiches, desserts, and admission to the Museum House. Spring hats and dress encouraged! Tickets are $45 for Museum Members and $50 for the Public and must be purchased by May 2. Tea service by Rescue Cafe.
Thursday, May 14, 6pm
Living The Old House Dream
With WHALE
Historic homes can be unique, charming, beautiful, and intimidating maintenance and restoration projects. At this talk, hear from an expert about best practices, processes, and resources and gain insight into preserving an older home. Part of Preservation AHA!
Tuesday, May 19, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Modern Music Concert in the Garden
Featuring New Bedford High School Jazz Band, Steel Band, and Rock Band- This concert features student musicians from New Bedford High School performing various pieces of jazz, and contemporary repertoire from the last 100 years. The New Bedford High School Jazz Band is an after-school ensemble directed by Tim Mason specializing in multiple styles of jazz and improvisation. The New Bedford High School Steel Band is an after-school band, grades 6-8, conducted by Lee Dias. They perform contemporary music steeped in the traditions of Trinidad and Tobago. The New Bedford High School Rock Band is directed by Tom O’Leary and performs tasteful modern music from different eras of Rock and Roll History. Free admission; general seating on the lawn and patio.
Wednesday, May 20, noon
Family Storytime
With the New Bedford Free Public Library
See January listing for details.
JUNE
Tuesday, June 16, 6:30pm
Garden Tour
Rick Finneran, RJD’s Lead Gardener and an American Rose Society certified rosarian, gives a 45-minute tour in the garden, highlighting what’s in bloom and the hidden gems on the property. Free.
Friday, June 12, 7pm – 10pm
Luminosity is this year’s annual garden party at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum to raise mission-supporting funds. Guests will gather in the newly illuminated historic garden to enjoy performances, refreshment and the historic ambiance of the estate. As the sun sets, the gardens will begin to glow with newly installed landscape lighting, a recent improvement made to increase public access to the property. Sparkles, silver, and gold dress and accessories are encouraged. Your ticket fee includes a donation to the Museum, as well as performances, food and beverages. Proceeds from this event support the upkeep and accessibility of the RJD gardens.
Tickets are available to purchase online here or by calling the museum at (508) 997-1401. They are available in a three tiered pricing range. You are encouraged to purchase your ticket at the price that you are able to afford.
Wednesday, June 17, noon
Family Storytime
With the New Bedford Free Public Library
See January listing for details.
Tuesday, June 30, 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Slice of History Civics Fair
Drop by our beautiful house and gardens for a “slice of history” as well as a slice of pizza! Engage with your community all while learning about local history.. Community organizations will be present to distribute information on everything from voter registration to local history. The fair will also feature a program of guest speakers talking about community engagement. This program is a part of Civic Season, through Made By Us. Contributing organizations and speakers will be announced closer to the event.
Are you a local organization that wants to table? Reach out to Lauren Pothier at lpothier [at] rjdmuseum [dot] org / (508) 997-1401
JULY
Thursday, July 9, 5pm – 6pm (Ages 10+), 6pm – 7pm (Teens/Adults)
Shakespeare’s Words
In Partnership with Reverie Theatre Group
Join Reverie’s dramaturg and award-winning journalist, Tony Silvia, and Shakespeare in NB 2026 director, Omar Laguerre-Lewis, for an interactive, two-part informational session centered on the Bard’s rich and layered language. For the first hour, Tony and Omar welcome youth to learn about Hamlet through passages from Charles & Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare. For the adult-targeted hour, they will explore the text on a deeper level, focusing on the play’s history, vocabulary, and iambic pentameter rhythm. Free as part of AHA Night.
Wednesday, July 15, Noon – 12:30pm
Family Storytime
In Partnership with the New Bedford Free Public Library
Meet in the garden for an engaging half-hour of stories for the whole family. After the stories, take home a family fun craft kit to collaborate and create together! Family Storytime will run every third Wednesday of the month, through December 16. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
Saturdays at 8am, July 18 through September 26
Yoga in the Garden
With YMCA Instructors Mark Borgetti and Ellen Selley
Enjoy a mindful morning stretch in the garden throughout the summer. Yoga can help increase flexibility, strength, stability, calmness, and focus. Bring a mat and water. YMCA Southcoast Members: Free / Other Participants: $10. Advance payment is requested.
Wednesday, July 22, 5pm – 6pm
The Legacy of the Whitfield/Manjiro Friendship House
With the Whitefield Manjiro Friendship Society
Join the Society’s Program Director Debra Almeida, CEO Gerry Rooney, and cultural advisor Ayako Rooney for a presentation about the remarkable true story of friendship between Captain William Whitfield of Fairhaven and Manjiro Nakahama, a Japanese fisherman rescued at sea in 1841 who became the first Japanese person to live in America. Free.
Wednesday, July 29, 5:30pm – 7pm
Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! Book Talk & Signing
Join author Dr. Sarah Crabtree and illustrator Melissa “Sawhand” Philley to
celebrate the release of their long-awaited graphic novel, Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch. Following their talk, Crabtree and Philley will sign copies of the book. A limited number of books will be available to purchase that evening; pre-purchase your copy at the Museum Shop or through our website to guarantee a copy is available that night. Purchase for pick up here.
AUGUST
Saturdays at 8am, August 1 through September 26
Yoga in the Garden
With YMCA Instructors Mark Borgetti and Ellen Selley
See July listing for full description. YMCA Southcoast Members: Free / Other Participants: $10. Advance payment is required.
August 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 7:30pm
August 16 & 23, 2pm (Sensory Friendly Matinees)
Shakespeare in NB Presents: Hamlet
In Partnership with Reverie Theatre Group
Bringing the Bard’s most poignant plays to audiences of all ages and walks of life, RTG presents a chilling and timely take on Hamlet. Set in a Baptist church in the present-day, American south, this production interrogates the supposed divide between church and state, while also exploring the play’s most enduring themes of mortality, madness, and moral corruption. Donations are accepted in lieu of a ticket fee.
This program is supported in part by grants from the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. It is also supported in part by the Wicked Cool Places grant funded by the City of New Bedford through its Arts, Culture & Tourism Fund, and is facilitated by New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council.
Wednesday, August 19, Noon – 12:30pm
Family Storytime
In Partnership with the New Bedford Free Public Library
See July listing for full description. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
