Programs & Events
November
Saturday, November 1, 2pm
House Tour
Enjoy a one-hour guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion. Various RJD Docents and staff conduct tours. Free with the price of museum admission.
CANCELLED Saturday November 8th, 12pm – 3pm
Artist Workshop
Melissa “Sawhand” Philley, the graphic artist and illustrator of the graphic novel: Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch, presents a hands-on art workshop for youth ages 12 and up. Artists of all skill levels are welcome. The workshop is free and takes place at the RJD. Some supplies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own pens, pencils, and markers.
Thursday, November 13, 5:30pm
Birding Past & Present
With Mass Audubon
You’ve started to notice more closely the familiar and intriguing birds in your backyard, on your commute, or outside your window—now you want to know more. This program will introduce you to the birding basics, from how to identify different bird families to the various tools and resources at your disposal. Find out what makes birds unique in the animal kingdom; where and how to locate birds in urban, suburban, and rural communities; and learn about basic bird biology and behavior. Join one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America. This event is free as part of AHA night.
Wednesday, November 19, Noon to 12:30pm
Family Storytime
In Partnership with the New Bedford Free Public Library
Meet in the mansion 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 17. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
Thursday November 20th, 5:00 PM
Opening Reception for the Exhibition & Artist’s Talk
Join the RJD for a reception and be the first to see RJD’s newest exhibition, Unraveling the Revolutionary Journey of William Rotch Sr. The exhibition features the art of a new historical graphic novel “Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch” written by Dr. Sarah Crabtree and illustrated by Melissa “Sawhand” Philley. Twenty prints of art in the book will be on display. The artist, Melissa Philley will speak about her work at 5:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Accused of treason four times by three governments in two revolutionary decades (1775 – 1795), William Rotch suffered from the “with-us-or-against-us” political landscape of the late eighteenth century. A Quaker, he opposed wars for independence and empire. Yet he downplayed and even withheld key details from his story, a second narrative that began with the Boston Tea Party, stretched across the world, and made him one of the wealthiest men in America.
This exhibit invites the viewer – you! – to decide which label best describes him. Along the way, we’ll revisit some famous (and infamous!) events and we’ll hear from a few characters you’ve definitely heard of and some maybe you haven’t. What we hope is that you’ll agree his-story is a way of reapproaching how history is made – a story that is as much about who and what we remember as how and why we remember them.
December
Sunday, December 7th, 1pm – 3pm or
Tuesday, December 9th, 1pm – 3pm
Afternoon Tea in the Parlors
Catered by Lilly’s Team Room (powered by The Rescue Cafe)
Enjoy tea, scones, tea sandwiches and sweets in the festively decorated double parlors of the mansion. Festive dress is encouraged. Fee includes tea service plus admission to the Museum. Parties of 8 guests may reserve a table; smaller parties may be seated with each other, at group tables. Make your reservation online: $40 Members/ $45 Public; advance reservations required.
Thursday, December 11, 4pm – 6pm
Christmas on County
Drop in to see the decked halls of the mansion and hear from docents about some of the holiday customs held by residents of the house. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater and seasonal accessories. Be a baker or be a judge in the sixth annual Cookie Challenge where home bakers bring batches of their favorite homemade cookie for sampling and judging. This event is part of AHA night. Donations are accepted in lieu of a fee.
Wednesday, December 17, 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! Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
JANUARY
Tuesday, January 6, 4:30pm
AMERICA’S 250TH: UNRAVELING THE REVOLUTIONARY JOURNEY OF WILLIAM ROTCH SR.
Dr. Sarah Crabtree
Join us in the RJD parlors as Dr. Sarah Crabtree gives an illustrated talk addressing themes in her book: Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch. Sarah Crabtree is a Professor of History at San Francisco State University. Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! (PSUP, March 2026) is her second book. She is also the author of several journal articles and the recipient of several fellowships, including the National Endowment of the Humanities grant that supported the development of this exhibit.
About Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch:
Accused of treason four times by three governments in two revolutionary decades (1775 – 1795), William Rotch suffered from the “with-us-or-against-us” political landscape of the late eighteenth century. A Quaker, he opposed wars for independence and empire. Yet he downplayed and even withheld key details from his story, a second narrative that began with the Boston Tea Party, stretched across the world, and made him one of the wealthiest men in America.
Wednesday, January 21, noon
Family Storytime
With the New Bedford Free Public Library
Meet in the mansion 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, or stay to tour the house and grounds! Family Storytime runs on the third Wednesday of every month. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
FEBRUARY
Sunday, February 8, 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Sweetheart Tea
Share tea with your sweetheart at the RJD mansion. Couples will enjoy a private table for two, with sandwiches, scones, sweet treats and tea service. The fee also includes museum admission, a museum souvenir, and chocolates. Tea service by Rescue Cafe. Advance registration is required by February 1st. Museum Members: $85 per couple, non members: $95 per couple.
Friday, February 27, 6:30pm
Classical Favorites in the Parlors
With the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
Enjoy a performance of classical favorites by musicians of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra. $15, tickets can be purchased at the door. Capacity is limited, so come early for your choice of seating.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 at noon
Family Storytime
With the New Bedford Free Public Library
See January listing for details.
MARCH
Thursday. March 5 at 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.
Friday, March 13, 7pm
Music in the Parlors
Singers perform songs ranging from classical to contemporary Broadway, jazz, pop standards, and more. The Steinway piano in the museum parlors will be used to accompany the musicians. Capacity is limited so arrive early for your choice of seating. Fee: $15; $10 for students with I.D.
Wednesday, March 18 at noon
Family Storytime
With the New Bedford Free Public Library
See January listing for details.
Tuesday, March 24, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
BYOBook Club at the RJD
With BYOBook Club New Bedford
BYOBook Club is a pop-up reading community in New Bedford where people come together to share space, stories, and conversation. Bring your current book, a magazine, or anything you enjoy reading. For the first hour, we read side by side. For the second we gather to chat about our readings. The last half hour features a guest author. Registration is required due to capacity. Free.
