New Bedford, MA –The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum (RJD) presents a new “Behind the Scenes” series of tours and talks during New Bedford’s AHA! Nights. From February through May, visitors will get a glimpse of Museum areas and objects in the collection not normally on view.
The series kicks off on Thursday, February 9, with a tour of the laundry room and summer kitchen, which are located in the lower level of the Museum. Visitors will see the spaces as they are now as well as historic photos of both areas during the Duff era (1936 – 1981).
On Thursday, March 9, visitors will have the rare opportunity to tour the third floor of the Museum. During the Jones residency (1851 – 1935), the attic housed the domestic staff, and the cupola was added to provide a spectacular view of the harbor.
On Thursday, April 13, Manager of Collections and Interpretation Lauren Prescott will give a talk about undergarments from the collection in a presentation entitled “Under Where?”
The series will conclude on Thursday, May 11, when Lauren Prescott presents some of the more unusual and surprising items in the Museum collection, discussing how objects end up at museums.
The programs run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. during AHA! Nights, the 2nd Thursday of each month. Visitors may drop in any time. Admission is free during AHA! Nights, and no registration is necessary. For more information, visit the Museum’s website, rjdmuseum.org or call 508-997-1401.
About AHA! Night
For over 20 years, AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) events have provided a free platform for New Bedford’s creative community to showcase their talents collectively; making arts, culture, and creative expression accessible to all.
About The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
The historic house, now the site of The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, was built in 1834 for whaling merchant William Rotch Jr. This Greek Revival mansion, located on a full city block of formal gardens, is a National Historic Landmark, one of only 2,500 in the nation. The period rooms of the house chronicle 150 years of the economic and social evolution of the City of New Bedford, as reflected in the residencies of the Rotch, Jones, and Duff families and their domestic staff.
The Museum is located at 396 County Street, New Bedford. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance booking for admission is encouraged, but not required. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for AAA members, seniors and students; and $3 for children (age 7–17). The Museum is free for RJD members and EBT card-holders. The RJD gardens are open to the public at no cost and available to visit from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Visitors are urged to go to rjdmuseum.org to book their Museum visit and to review the most current information on hours and programs.
