Rodman Candleworks

Rodman Candleworks, built in 1815, symbolizes New Bedford’s prominent role in the whaling industry.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

72 North Water Street New Bedford, MA 02740

Significance:

Rodman Candleworks is significant as a symbol of New Bedford’s role in the whaling industry and its title, “The City That Lit the World.” Built around 1815 by Samuel Rodman Sr., this Federal-style building was dedicated to producing spermaceti candles—luxury candles prized for their bright, clean burn. These candles, crafted from sperm whale oil, were a staple in affluent homes and coined the term “candlepower.” Rodman Candleworks also highlights the influence of New Bedford’s Quaker entrepreneurs, including Rodman’s connection to the powerful Rotch family. As cheaper fuels like kerosene and petroleum emerged, the demand for whale oil products declined, mirroring the end of New Bedford’s whaling prosperity. Today, Rodman Candleworks stands as a testament to the city’s rich maritime history and economic impact on 19th-century lighting.

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places

Illuminating the World: A Legacy of Light and Innovation

Constructed around 1815 by Samuel Rodman Sr., a prominent industrialist and husband of Elizabeth Rotch, the Rodman Candleworks is a testament to New Bedford’s maritime heritage and economic rise. Designed in the Federal style, this historic building reflects the influence of New Bedford’s early Quaker entrepreneurs, who helped shape the city’s success in the first half of the 19th century. Built specifically for the production of spermaceti candles, Rodman Candleworks exemplifies the vital role of New Bedford’s whaling industry and the maritime trades it supported.

Samuel Rodman’s path to prominence in New Bedford began when he worked in a local counting house before marrying Elizabeth Rotch in 1780. Elizabeth’s father, William Rotch, was a founder of the influential whaling firm William Rotch and Sons in Nantucket. After joining the Rotch family business, Samuel gained experience in the industry until the firm’s dissolution in 1798. He then returned to New Bedford, launching his own ventures, with Rodman Candleworks as one of his earliest undertakings.

According to records from Original Purchasers of Lots in New Bedford of the Russells and Kemptons from 1753 to 1815, the site where Rodman Candleworks stands was a “Gift Lot” from William Rotch to Samuel Rodman in 1801. This connection highlights the close ties among influential Quaker families and their shared commitment to New Bedford’s growth.

Rodman Candleworks specialized in producing spermaceti candles, crafted from the high-quality oil found in the heads of sperm whales. Known for their bright, clean, and steady light, these candles set a new standard for illumination, coining the term “candlepower.” More expensive than other whale oil products, spermaceti candles were a luxury item typically found in wealthier households, whose residents valued their cleaner burn and smokeless quality. For middle- and working-class homes, cheaper alternatives from other whale oils provided necessary light but lacked the distinctive quality and status of spermaceti candles.

However, despite their early popularity, Rodman Candleworks ultimately faced challenges as alternative fuels emerged. By the mid-19th century, less expensive fuels like kerosene and, later, petroleum became widely available, reducing the demand for whale oil products. Additionally, declining whale populations and the increasing difficulty of whaling led to the industry’s eventual decline. With these shifts, Rodman Candleworks could no longer compete, marking the end of an era for New Bedford’s candle-making industry.

Today, Rodman Candleworks operates as a business but is not accessible for visitor exploration. This historic structure stands as a reminder of New Bedford’s role as “The City That Lit the World” and the entrepreneurial spirit of Samuel Rodman and the early maritime entrepreneurs who shaped the city’s identity and legacy.