While New England has long embraced its whaling past — sustained by deepwater ports, access to global markets, and generations of maritime tradition — Cape May’s own whaling roots have largely faded from public memory. Our mission is to reclaim our history, and explore and share the evolving relationship between people and whales—from the early settlers of Cape May who pursued and killed whales for profit, to today’s whale-watching captains, some of whom are descendants of those very whalers. This transformation—from an economy based on extraction to one centered on appreciation and conservation—reveals a powerful cultural and ecological arc. Through exhibitions, research, and education, we preserve Cape May’s maritime heritage while promoting marine science and inspiring stewardship of the ocean and its great whales.