July 31, 2023 — With deep roots embedded in the Whaling City, former mayor of New Bedford and descendant of its founding family, John Bullard, shares tales of his hometown in a new memoir. His story “Hometown” highlights his journey as a federal leader and New Bedford’s plight to survive and thrive.
Who is John Bullard?
Bullard served as mayor of New Bedford from 1986 to 1992 during which he brought the city into compliance with the Clean Water Act by building a secondary wastewater treatment plant at Fort Rodman and paving the way for offshore wind to be located at the former Standard-Times Field.
He led the charge to save New Bedford’s suffering historic whaling district, alongside members of WHALE, who established the National Whaling Historic Park, the rescue of the Zeiterion Theatre, and the establishment of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum.