For Ronald Lewis Gagnon, preserving history is about making sure the stories and places that shaped our communities are not lost.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, and now a resident of New Bedford, Ron has a deep personal connection to the city through his mother, who was from New Bedford. His love of history, shared with his wife, has inspired years of involvement in historic preservation and community organizations throughout the region.
Ron has volunteered with the Quincy Historical Association, Battleship Cove, the Newport Preservation Society, and the Sons of St. Patrick. Today, he continues that commitment as a member of the Board of Managers of the New Bedford Port Society.
Through Sanctuary of Stories, Ron reflects on why preserving history matters—and why getting involved is so important. For him, protecting our historic places and remembering the people who came before us is a way of ensuring that their stories continue to have meaning for future generations.
The Sanctuary of Stories is a storytelling initiative of the New Bedford Port Society celebrating the people, memories, and history connected to the Seamen’s Bethel, Mariners’ Home, and New Bedford’s enduring maritime heritage.
