The early nineteenth century in New Bedford was a time of unimaginable
wealth, intellectual ferment and artistic treasures. Prosperous whaling
magnates like members of the Rotch, Morgan and Howland families
commissioned the nation's finest architects to design and construct
their majestic mansions. The city's architectural and cultural expansion
brought great writers and artists like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph
Waldo Emerson into the homes of County Street's elite. Yet behind the
elegant façade of grand parties and notable house guests were the
secrets and scandals of New Bedford's upper crust. Join author Peggi
Medeiros as she chronicles the history of each mansion and the stories
once hidden behind closed doors.