In this edition of Sanctuary of Stories, New Bedford native Emir Jorge Morais reflects on why preserving the city’s maritime heritage is so important. Drawing on his experience as a former ranger at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, a member of the New Bedford Port Society’s Board of Managers, and a lifelong advocate for local history, Emir shares how the Seamen’s Bethel and the stories it holds continue to connect people across cultures and generations.
As a member of New Bedford’s Cape Verdean community, Emir also discusses the importance of ensuring that the city’s diverse maritime history is preserved, celebrated, and shared through education. His perspective highlights how places like the Seamen’s Bethel are more than historic landmarks—they are living spaces that inspire curiosity, strengthen community, and help us better understand who we are and where we’ve come from.
A Sanctuary of Stories is a video series from the New Bedford Port Society, featuring community leaders, historians, volunteers, and supporters who share their personal connections to the Seamen’s Bethel, the Mariners’ Home, and New Bedford’s enduring maritime legacy.