This New Bedford house was featured on Discovery+ and Max. Here's what we know.
NEW BEDFORD – After The Whalehouse's moment in the spotlight was cut short by the cancellation of an AMC series, it’s finally getting to shine on an episode of “Diary of an Old Home.”
Streaming today on Discovery+, Max and the Magnolia network app, the series showcases historic homeowners and their journeys of restoration and renovation of their properties.
"It's a beautiful show that captures the heart and soul of the preservation movement and showcases the dedication and passion of these homeowners,” said Laura Parrish, co-owner of the Melville House turned Airbnb.
“I have learned that there is a sense of camaraderie among old homeowners, as we all face similar challenges and triumphs in restoring and maintaining our historic houses.”
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Parrish said she discovered the show and reached out to the production company to see if their own restoration story would be a good fit for the show.
The history of The Whalehouse
The three-story Victorian home was constructed by whaling merchant Henry Taber, who gifted the house to his daughter Abby Taber Hunt, as a wedding present.
In 1862, after Abby Taber Hunt’s husband passed away, she moved back in with her father and rented the house to Catherine Melville Hoadley, the sister of “Moby-Dick” author Herman Melville. He would stay in the house while visiting with family.
For much of the mid to late 20th century, the house served as The Swain School of Art and Design. In later years, it became a bed and breakfast. In 2015, Parrish bought the house, renovated it and soon after opened the Airbnb.
The house now is in two sections – the guest suite and an event rental space. Both spots are separate and entirely sound-proof to one another. The guest suite, which originally was the servant’s quarters, sleeps two guests comfortably. It has its own private entrance, fully furnished with a mix of antiques and modern-style décor.
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Parrish said the crew came to New Bedford in May 2023, filmed for three days, including filming the exterior of the house, the interior with the family and their dogs, and a two-hour interview about their journey of restoration and what it means to own a historic house.
"Our house has so much history and backstory, and I think the director and producer were really excited about that,” Parrish said. “And because of the amount of work we had done, it made for a great reveal.”
Showing off New Bedford to the world
Born in Boston, Parrish grew up in Duxbury. She attended Boston University studying graphic design. She works remotely in digital advertising as a director of experience design for a California company. She previously owned the business Track + Channel on North 6th Street for a short time.
Parrish first visited New Bedford because she was interested in photographing abandoned buildings and unique architecture. At the time, she was in the process of purchasing an old candy factory in Chelsea, but the deal fell through. Soon after, she found The Whalehouse available on Zillow.
“I hope our episode inspires others to take on the challenge of restoring an old house and gives them courage to do it, too,” Parrish added.
“I can also be a steward for the beauty of New Bedford and all that it has to offer, and that makes me incredibly proud.”
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford home featured on Discovery+, Max, Magnolia TV show
