List of mayors of New Bedford, Massachusetts facts for kids

New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a historic city, and like all cities, it needs a leader to help it run smoothly. This leader is called the mayor! The mayor is like the city's chief executive officer, making important decisions and working with the city council to make sure everything from schools to parks to roads is taken care of. They represent the city and help shape its future.

Who are the Mayors of New Bedford?

New Bedford has had many mayors since the city was officially formed in 1847. These leaders have guided the city through different times, helping it grow and change. Each mayor serves for a specific period, called a "term." Some mayors served for just a year or two, while others, like Charles S. Ashley, served many terms over several years!

Early Mayors and Their Roles

The very first mayor of New Bedford was Abraham H. Howland, who served from 1847 to 1851. Imagine being the first person to lead a brand new city! After him, leaders like William J. Rotch and Rodney French took on the role. These early mayors helped set up the city's government and services.

Many mayors served multiple times. For example, George Howland Jr. was mayor twice, first from 1855 to 1856, and then again from 1862 to 1865. This shows that the people of New Bedford trusted certain leaders to guide their city more than once.

Mayors of the Late 1800s and Early 1900s

As New Bedford grew, so did the responsibilities of its mayors. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, mayors often belonged to political groups, like the Republican or Democratic parties. These parties have different ideas about how the government should work.

One of the most well-known mayors from this period was Charles S. Ashley. He served an amazing number of terms, starting in 1891 and continuing on and off until 1936! He was mayor for a total of 25 years, which is a very long time for any city leader. His long service shows how much he was involved in New Bedford's development during a time of great change.

Other mayors from this era included Morgan Rotch and William J. Bullock, who were Republicans, and Thomas Thompson, who served in 1906. These leaders helped guide New Bedford through the early 20th century, a time when the city was known for its busy textile mills and fishing industry.

Modern Mayors and New Challenges

In more recent times, mayors have continued to face new challenges and opportunities for New Bedford. Leaders like Arthur N. Harriman served multiple terms in the mid-20th century.

Sometimes, a mayor might need to step down, and an "interim" or "acting" mayor steps in temporarily. This happened in 1953 when Francis J. Lawler served as interim mayor. Later, Cynthia G. Kruger and Nelson Macedo also served as acting mayors when a mayor resigned to take on a different important role.

Mayors in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, such as John A. Markey, Rosemary S. Tierney, Frederick M. Kalisz Jr., and Scott W. Lang, have worked on modernizing the city and improving life for its residents. They deal with issues like economic development, education, and public safety.

Today, Jon Mitchell is the current mayor of New Bedford, having served since 2012. He continues the long tradition of leadership in this historic Massachusetts city, working to make it a great place for everyone.

Images for kids

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  Andrew G. Pierce, 10th Mayor of New Bedford

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  Morgan Rotch, 19th Mayor of New Bedford

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  Charles S. Ashley, who served many terms as Mayor

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  William J. Bullock, 28th Mayor of New Bedford

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  Edward C. Peirce, 38th Mayor of New Bedford

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  George Rogers, 42nd Mayor of New Bedford

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  Scott W. Lang, 48th Mayor of New Bedford

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  Jon Mitchell, the current Mayor of New Bedford