President and Founder of the Preservation Society of Fall River James Soule passed away on August 26, 2024, after a courageous battle against cancer. Jim re-founded the Preservation Society in Fall River in 2005 and lead the organization for 19 years, becoming a true advocate and champion for Fall River’s history, who always looked to the past to help see the future.
Jim was a true advocate and champion for Fall River’s history, always looking to the past to help see the future.
He is survived by his wife of over 33 years, Maria Connie Soule; his children and his beloved grandchildren.
A self-described import to Fall River by way of Bridgewater, MA, Jim was a man of many passions & accomplishments but none more so than that for his family and his love of history.
Among his many accomplishments, Jim led the Preservation Society to develop the historic street signs promoting the Highlands National Historic District, the Historic House Marker program, establish the city’s first protected historic district, help pass the Community Preservation Act in Fall River, lay the foundation for a Fall River Underground Railroad Museum, and purchase four historic properties in the city within five years, becoming a certified community housing development organization with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Jim joined the United States Army Reserve in 1985 and worked in the VA Boston healthcare system starting as a switchboard operator and working in the mailroom when he was 18. He earned his license as a Respiratory Therapist and later as a Registered Nurse. He also worked at Davis Park VA in Providence, RI, and Gabriel Care in Fall River, MA.
A veteran himself, Jim felt honored to care for veterans and always took the time to listen and learn his patients’ stories. In doing this, he was able to advocate for them and their families in so many ways such as assisting with obtaining their service-connected benefits or awards that had never been merited or lost in the system.
It was at the VA Boston where Jim met the love of his wife, Connie. That’s when Jim relocated to Fall River and they purchased a historic home, and with his vision, they lovingly restored it together. Their home preservation project was a true labor of love, which led to Jim’s grassroots effort to re- establish the then-defunct Fall River Preservation Society in the living room of his home with like-minded friends. He successfully applied for and obtained non-profit status and the journey began in 2005.
Since then, Jim led the Preservation Society of Fall River to develop the historic street signs promoting the Highlands National Historic District, the Historic House Marker program, establish the city’s first protected historic district, help pass the Community Preservation Act in Fall River, laying the foundation for a Fall River Underground Railroad Museum, and purchase four historic properties in the city within five years, totaling 16 housing units, becoming a certified community housing development organization with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Jim and Connie enjoyed traveling together, especially road trips exploring historic districts. They fell in love with Savannah, GA where he was inspired by its historic revitalization. He thought of “Fall River as being Savannah Georgia’s northern sister, 15 miles upriver from the ocean. All this architecture and history is just waiting to be tapped into. The loss of appreciation for our history would lead to Fall River becoming like any place else.”
Jim’s passion for sailing and history ran in his DNA, being a direct Mayflower descendent of pilgrim George Soule and obtaining his certification of lineage through the Mayflower Society. His and Connie’s research involved visiting many town halls in the region for birth, marriage, and death certificates to prove his Mayflower connection. During this research, the society connected his lineage, not only to his 9th great grandfather, but to seven other Mayflower pilgrims as well.
Fall River has truly lost a legend, but we will do our best to honor is memory and continue the progress he worked so hard for.
You can read the obituary for James Soule here.