Whaling Museum Goes Viral Selling T-shirts With 'Worst Aquarium Ever' Review

The New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, a city historically linked to American whaling, is experiencing an unexpected surge in popularity and revenue, all thanks to a scathing one-star Google review from 2020 labeling it "The worst aquarium ever."

Museum officials began selling T-shirts and sweatshirts last fall featuring the infamous review on the back and a whale skeleton on the front. The design recently captured national attention after local news affiliates reported on it, leading to a dramatic increase in sales. In just over 24 hours following a CBS report, the museum received 738 online orders, primarily for the "worst aquarium" merchandise. Sales for the week were up 250% compared to the previous week.

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The review had already been part of the folklore among employees and always caused 'a good laugh.'

Amanda McMullan, the museum's president and CEO, noted that the review had long been a source of amusement among staff. The museum, which does not house live marine animals, compensates with an impressive collection of whale skeletons, including a 20-meter blue whale and a 15-meter North Atlantic right whale. Emily Roznoy, a product designer at the museum, was inspired by the idea of putting the negative review on merchandise after seeing a restaurant sell shirts with a similar critical review.

McMullan saw humor and a "fighting spirit" in the town's embrace of the "award." The merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags, has been a consistent top seller even before its recent viral fame. Online prices range from $32.50 for adult T-shirts to $60 for hooded sweatshirts, with tote bags at $39.95. The museum's social media, particularly TikTok videos from November, also contributed to the buzz, garnering over 96,000 views.

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I knew there was humor in it. And I got the impression that New Bedford had that fighting spirit.