New Bedford has approved Mayor Jon Mitchell’s proposal to establish Abolition Row and Mechanics Lane as historic districts.
The new districts were chosen to celebrate the city’s role in the abolition movement and 19th century trade.
The Abolition Row District is comprised of residential properties along Seventh Street that played an important role in the city’s anti-slavery movement.
The Mechanics Lane District runs along the back of First Baptist Church and is comprised mainly of 19th century properties that housed tradesmen and craftsmen known as “mechanics.”
“The designation of the Abolition Row and Mechanic’s Lane Historic Districts will ensure that these unique and cohesive group of properties are recognized for their historic and architectural significance and are protected from potential alterations that could undermine the area’s historical character,” said Mayor Mitchell.
New Bedford previously had one historic district, the Bedford Landing Waterfront Historic District, which shares its boundaries with the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.