Programs & Events
December
Sunday, December 1, 2pm – 4pm SOLD OUT
Tuesday, December 3, 2pm – 4pm SOLD OUT
Afternoon Tea in the Parlors
Catered by Milward Tea Room
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 other parties. See what’s on the menu.
Saturday, December 7, 9am – 2pm
Holiday Greens Market
The Garden Club of Buzzards Bay presents its third annual market on the patio and in the Coach House of the RJD. Selections include beautiful handmade decorated wreaths, centerpieces, tabletop trees, garlands, swags, arrangements, ornaments and more. Come early for the best selection. Proceeds support the GCBB’s Grants Program for conservation, civic beautification, sustainable agriculture and scholarships.
Saturday, December 7, 11am
Holiday House Tour
Visit the decorated mansion and pick up your holiday greens in one visit to the RJD! Enjoy a half-hour guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion, where special attention will be paid to the holiday customs of the original residents of the house. The Garden Club of Buzzard’s Bay Greens Sale runs 9am to 2pm in the RJD’s Coach House. Your tour is free with the price of museum admission, or proof of purchase from the GCBB Greens Sale.
Sunday, December 8, 1pm – 5pm
The 30th Annual New Bedford Preservation Society Holiday House Tour
Visitors are invited to discover the unique historical character of New Bedford homes and explore the interiors that reflect the creative individual taste of the owners. The Tour begins at the James Arnold Mansion (427 County Street) and features historic buildings and homes beautifully decked out for the holidays, including our very own Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion. Tickets may be purchased on the New Bedford Preservation Society website.
Thursday, December 12, 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 fifth 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. Many thanks to our program sponsor: G. Stewart Young.
Seeking Bakers for the Cookie Challenge!
Interested bakers are asked to participate in the RJD’s 5th annual Cookie Challenge, held during Christmas on County To participate, pick your favorite cookie recipe, and submit your home-baked cookies, with the recipe, no later than 1pm on the day of the challenge (December 12). Four-dozen of the same cookie should be delivered on a disposable dish/plate/pan (we can’t promise the return of trays, but we can transfer the cookies from your containers to ours when you get here). A copy of the recipe must accompany the cookies so that we can alert guests to contents (eg. Nuts, gluten free, etc). Participants at the event will be able to taste, and vote on their favorite cookie. The winner receives a mention in our e-news and a gift. To confirm your participation or ask questions, please email Dawn Salerno.
Wednesday, December 18, 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through December. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
January 2025
Wednesday, January 15, noon
Family Storytime
With 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through June. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free.
Thursday, January 23, 2pm
House Tour
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion with RJD Docent, George Kontanis. Free with the price of admission.
Tuesday, January 28, 5:30pm
Living the Old House Dream
In Partnership with WHALE
Speaker: Lee McColgan
Historic homes can be unique, charming, beautiful, and intimidating maintenance and restoration projects. In this series, hear from experts about best practices, processes, and resources and gain insight into preserving an older home. Trading the corporate ladder for a stepladder, Lee McColgan committed to preserving the ramshackle Loring House, built in 1702, using period materials and methods and on a holiday deadline. But his enchantment withered as he discovered the massive repairs it needed. Attend this talk to find out if he met his deadline before family and friends arrived. McColgan’s book about his process expertly examines our relationship to history through the homes we inhabit. Fee: $10 RJD or WHALE Members / $13 Public. Series: $25 Members / $35 Public.
February
Thursday, February 13, 6pm – 6:45pm
The Extraordinary Power of Love
Presented by Serlingpa Kadampa Meditation Center
Level up your Valentine’s celebration this year by experiencing the power of true love. Love, according to the New Kadampa Tradition of Buddhism is defined as the sincere wish to give happiness to others. Donna Cordeiro, Resident Teacher at Serlingpa Meditation Center will give a brief talk about the nature of true love followed by a guided meditation. Recommended for Ages 15+. Admission is free as a part of AHA night.
Friday, February 14
Mini-Mony Marathon
Make your Valentine’s Day wedding extra special. Steven Martins officiates at your intimate ceremony in the double parlors of RJD’s historic whaling mansion. A mini-photo session is included with DunnRightStudios and flowers are by Between the Roses Florist. Contact Events Manager, Claudio Pereira, for details and availability. Fee: $350.
Wednesday, February 19, noon
Family Storytime
With 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through June. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free
Thursday, February 20, 2pm
House Tour
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion with RJD Docent, George Kontanis. Free with the price of admission.
Tuesday, February 25, 5:30pm 
Living the Old House Dream
Speaker: Patricia Miller, Chief Conservator, Preservation Society of Newport County
The gilded-age mansions of Newport are an important cultural asset in Rhode Island that attract visitors from around the world. The PSNC presents 10 gilded-age historic house museums, three of which have received Geothermal climate control systems within the last decade. The most recent installation at Chateau-sur-Mer, an Italianate villa built 1852 for William Shepherd Wetmore, presented many challenges. Miller will discuss the non-invasive and reversible strategies used to integrate the system and preserve the rich decorative interiors and historic landscape of this historic property. Fee: $10 RJD or WHALE Members / $13 Public.
March
Thursday, March 13, 5:30pm
Craft Night
Hosted by the RJD NextGen Committee
Bring your friends and your knitting needles as we craft together in the cozy parlors. Pack your favorite craft (crochet, felting, etc; dry, dust-free art materials only) and your favorite drink (no red wine please) and we’ll provide the ambiance. This event is free as part of AHA! Night.
Wednesday, March 19, noon
Family Storytime
With 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through June. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free
Saturday, March 22, 1pm – 3pm
Open House at the Mansion
Drop by the estate at 396 County Street for brief guided tours of the mansion and refreshments. Enter a drawing to win a Museum membership! Free admission.
Tuesday, March 25, 5:30pm
Living the Old House Dream
In Partnership with WHALE
Speaker: Laura Parrish-Lavin
Laura Parrish-Lavin purchased 100 Madison Street in 2015 and over the next several years, restored the house to its original splendor. The doors, windows, mantels, floors and radiators are all original to the house, which was originally built in the whaling days for Abby Taber Hunt, the daughter of whaling merchant Henry Taber. Later the property became the home of Catherine Melville Hoadley, the sister of Moby Dick author Herman Melville. Fee: $10 RJD or WHALE Members / $13 Public.
April
Thursday, April 10, 6:30pm
For the Love of Roses
RJD Lead Gardener gives an illustrated talk addressing rose propagation, rose care, and the evolution of the RJD garden as it was transformed from a private residence into a space for the public. Rick is an American Rose Society certified rosarian. Admission is free as a part of AHA night.
Tuesday, April 15, 5:30pm
The Annual Fellows Lecture (Virtual Talk)
With Preservation Society of Newport County Curatorial Fellows
Fellows from the PSNC speak on their recent research in the collections. A suggested donation of $10 in lieu of a fee is accepted.
Wednesday, April 16, noon
Family Storytime
With 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through June. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free
April 24, 2pm
House Tour
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion with RJD Docent, George Kontanis. Free with the price of admission.
May
Thursday, May 8
Game Night
4pm – 6pm Family Games
6pm – 8pm 21+ Games
Hosted by the RJD NextGen Committee
Assemble some teammates and head to the tented patio in the garden. The early hours feature family-oriented games. The later hours are for 21+ games. Bring your favorite board game, card game, lawn game and beverages! The Museum provides classic board games and teammates as needed, plus low-priced snacks for the evening. This event is free as part of AHA! Night.
Saturday, May 10, 1pm to 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 3. Visit www.rjdmuseum to reserve your table, or call the Museum. 48 hours-notice is required to receive a refund for canceled reservations.
Wednesday, May 21, noon
Family Storytime
With 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through June. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free
Tuesday, May 20, 7pm
NBHS Modern Music Concert in the Garden
With New Bedford High School Jazz Band and Rock Band, and the All-City Middle School Jazz Band and Steel Band
This concert features student musicians from New Bedford Public Schools performing various pieces of jazz and contemporary repertoire from the last 100 years. The New Bedford High School Jazz Band is an ensemble directed by Tim Mason, assisted by Tony Hyde and Nathanial Karahalis, specializing in multiple styles of jazz and improvisation. The New Bedford High School Rock band is an ensemble directed by Tom O’Leary, assisted by Nicholas Jupin, performing classic rock hits and contemporary music in the spirit of Rock and Roll. The New Bedford All-City Middle School Jazz band is a jazz ensemble grades 6-8, Directed by Nathanial Karahalis and Reis Medeiros, that perform jazz standards with improvised solos. The All-City Steel Band is a band, grades 6-8, conducted by Lee Dias. They perform contemporary music steeped in the traditions of Trinidad and Tobago. Free, with general seating on the lawn and patio.
Thursday, May 22, 2pm
House Tour
Enjoy a 45-minute guided tour of the Rotch-Jones-Duff mansion with RJD Docent, George Kontanis. Free with the price of admission.
June
Save Our Date! Friday, June 13, 6pm – 9pm
The Annual Garden Party and 40th Celebration of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House
The Museum turns 40 in 2025! Our annual party in the garden will be extra special to celebrate this landmark. Details coming by May 1.
Thursday, June 12, 5:30pm
Garden Tour
Rick Finneran, RJD’s Lead Gardener gives a 45-minute tour in the garden, highlighting what’s in bloom and some of the hidden gems on the property. Rick is an American Rose Society certified rosarian. This event is free as part of AHA! night.
Wednesday, June 25 noon
Family Storytime
With 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 third Wednesdays of every month, through June. Open to all ages with accompanying adult. Free
Wednesday, June 18, noon
Gardening with Native Plants
With Mass Audubon
Learn how to transform your corner of the earth into an eco-friendly haven for native flora and fauna. We’ll cover how ecosystems work, habitat resiliency, climate change, invasive species, biodiversity, and the ecological importance of human-managed landscapes. You’ll leave with the ability to read your landscape and to select and maintain plants for long-term ecosystem health. Whether you are starting from scratch or transitioning an existing garden space, you too can create a wildlife sanctuary at home or in your community. Suggested donation: $10
