Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New Hampshire Portsmouth Isle of Shoals Humpbacks
Isle of Shoals Humpbacks is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

Isle of Shoals Humpbacks

One of 100 “Whaling Wall" murals painted in 13 different countries by a renowned marine life artist.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Added By
Ruben Stemple
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Isle of Shoals Humpbacks   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Isle of Shoals Humpbacks   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Original Mural   http://www.wylandfoundation.org/community-...
Isle of Shoals Humpbacks   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Wyland 1993   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Concrete now covers the bottom half of the mural, June 2018.   ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
All that is left (taken 2021/10/10)   Jennska / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

A life-sized mural of humpback whales painted by a famous artist can be found next to a parking lot in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It would be easy to quickly glance at the painting without realizing it's one of 100 “Whaling Walls" created over 27 years by the renowned environmental artist Wyland in five continents, 13 countries, and 79 different cities.

Wyland's murals depict a diverse array of sea life. In Portsmouth, whaling wall number 37 was added to the collection in 1993, painted on the wall of the Cabot House Furniture building in a parking lot near the center of town. The mural, officially called “Isle of Shoals Humpbacks” shows not only two adult-sized humpback whales, but also a baby whale, several porpoises and other marine life.

The mural, a local icon of the town, has been damaged by weather and graffiti over the years. Despite efforts to organize restorations, the mural remains untouched and is, like the animals it depicts, in danger of disappearing.

Related Tags

Murals Art Animals Oceans

Know Before You Go

Park in the "Worth Lot" behind the Cabot House store. You can't miss it.

Community Contributors

Added By

R Stemple

Edited By

IJVin, ickaimp, Jennska

  • IJVin
  • ickaimp
  • Jennska

Published

September 7, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://wokq.com/the-infamous-whaling-wall-in-portsmouth-new-hampshire-is-no-longer/
  • http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59970.asp
  • http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20100914/NEWS/9140392
  • https://wokq.com/the-infamous-whaling-wall-in-portsmouth-new-hampshire-is-no-longer/
Isle of Shoals Humpbacks
35 Vaughan Mall
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
United States
43.076772, -70.759726
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Earth Eagle Brewings

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

miles away

Strawbery Banke

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

miles away

Museum of Dumb Guy Stuff

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Portsmouth

Portsmouth

New Hampshire

Places 5
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Earth Eagle Brewings

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

miles away

Strawbery Banke

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

miles away

Museum of Dumb Guy Stuff

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Portsmouth

Portsmouth

New Hampshire

Places 5
Stories 1

Related Places

  • ‘Winifred the Elephant’

    Leeds, England

    'Winifred'

    In a small courtyard resides this large mural that draws inspiration from Leeds and its history.

  • View of the Spencer Robert’s mural room, Port Lympne mansion.

    Lympne, England

    Spencer Roberts Room

    Its walls are adorned with exquisite murals of the natural world, transforming it into an ecologist’s Sistine Chapel.

  • Uppspretta.

    Reykjanesbær, Iceland

    Uppspretta

    This wild explosion of color on a disused water tower tells the whimsical tale of a curious puffin.

  • Giant bird.

    New York, New York

    Audubon Mural Project

    Walking around West Harlem reveals a scavenger hunt of beautiful bird murals.

  • The Peacock Room.

    Washington, D.C.

    Peacock Room

    This stunning blue and gold room changed cities twice before becoming part of the Smithsonian.

  • “Earth as the Life-giver.”

    Lincoln, Nebraska

    Nebraska State Capitol Mosaic Floor

    An ornate Art Deco tile mosaic representing Nebraskan life, both modern and prehistoric.

  • The mural on Hasenhaus.

    Vienna, Austria

    Wolf and Cow Playing Backgammon Mural

    A silly medieval mural preserved on the side of a Viennese house.

  • San Bartolo Coyotepec, Mexico

    ‘El Mural de la Conquista’ (‘Mural of the Conquest’)

    In this state repository of folk art, perhaps no piece is more representative than this brutal work featuring the town’s distinctive black clay pottery.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.