The Melville House B&B

The Melville House stands on a historic street lined with stately federal and Victorian mansions built by 19th century sea captains. This newly restored 1855 Italian Empire house, originally built as a wedding gift by a wealthy sea merchant for his daughter, was once owned by Herman Melville's sister. During the 1860's the author, found comfort in his sisters home when he needed to escape his New York City environment.

Today, the Melville House is close to the New Bedford Whaling Museum , Historic Seaman's Bethel , New Bedford's Whaling National Park , and the newly renovated Zoo in Buttonwood Park , designed and planted by Frederick Law Olmsted. With Martha's Vineyard and Cuttyhunk a wave away, the nautical aura of the famous Moby Dick author will remain forever captured within this old New England corner of Massachusetts.

Green since the beginning...

Since we opened in 1988, we have been a green B&B, which means:

1. All sheets and blankets are natural fibers, cotton or wool. Laundry is solar dried whenever possible.
2. Soaps and shampoo are organic, not animal tested. They will not leave a film on your skin or the shower stall.
3. Cleaning products are mostly Melaluca, tea tree oil based and fragrance free. However we use bleach to clean the inside of toilets.
4. Light bulbs for reading are full spectrum.
5. The food we serve is homemade and organic whenever possible. Eggs are organic and local as well as the vegetables – some are grown in our own organic garden out back – you may take a look if you like.
6. And yes, even the toilet paper is environmentally green - 7th Generation.

We are also the longest running Bed and Breakfast in New Bedford.