The Narcissus with all of its roof boards removed. Each of the ash roof ribs
will be inspected, and if necessary, removed, repaired, and or replaced. Most
are in very good shape. All original steel screws will be replaced with
stainless steel screws. The roof boards were in varying degrees of condition.
Some were missing, some had water damage, some with critter damage,
some needed repairs, and then were returned to service. August 15, 2016, PWM
Critters gnawed their way through the roof boards, entered the comfy
confines of the Narcissus, and set up a multi-family housing complex.
August 14, 2016. PWM
Many of the original steel nails from 1912 had lost their ability to properly
hold the roof boards securely to the roof ribs, so at some point in years past,
galvanized nails were nailed next to every original nail on every roof board.
This double-nailing made it twice as difficult to remove the roof boards
without further damaging the original poplar tongue-and-groove boards.
August 13, 2016. PWM
The 1912 Narcissus on August 15, 2016. Looking rather skeletal-like,
following the removal of all its roof boards. It looked much different a week
earlier, as it had many restored components put in place for the annual
fundraising event weekend to benefit the project. The 2016 Teddy Roosevelt
event was a great success. All the guests that attended throughout the
three days were treated to a glimpse of just how truly beautiful the
Narcissus will be when its restoration is complete.
August 15, 2016. PWM
On the right side of the Narcissus (with the number 2 end on the left,
affectionately called the "Teddy End" - Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger
on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914) with the thirteen ornate leaded-stained
glass clerestory windows temporarily in place for the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt
Days event weekend. To the right, you can see the large leaded stained glass
"eyebrow" window in place in the smoking compartment.
August 4, 2016. PWM
The left side of the 1912 Narcissus (number 1 end on the left) on the evening
of August 4, 2016. PWM
Donald Curry, Lead Restoration Technician on the Narcissus restoration,
during the early stages of assembling the various components necessary
to enclose the right side of the smoking compartment on the number 1 end.
August 1, 2016. PWM
Interior of the right side of the smoking compartment at the number 1 end.
Restored original mahogany sash passenger windows with their polished
original brass hardware. Original Santo Domingo mahogany pieces that were
restored 15 to 20 years ago, were removed from storage for use enclosing
the window openings. August 4, 2016. PWM
Right side smoking compartment with restored windows and sash in place
on August 4, for the Narcissus fundraising event weekend,
Teddy Roosevelt Days 2016. From this vantage point, you can see through
the smoking compartment to view the large leaded stained glass "eyebrow"
on the left side and the pair of restored leaded stained glass windows in the
clerestory. On the exterior, you can see the top of the eyebrow is held in place
with a restored exterior poplar frame and by the face-board between the
restored mahogany passenger window sash. Also, the vertical
tongue-and-groove sheathing is in place surrounding the double
sash/eyebrow assembly. August 4, 2016. PWM
The right side of the Narcissus smoking compartment was prepared
specifically for guest photo opportunities during the benefit event. In
the background of this image is the number 1 end vestibule. One can
see the original bulkhead window sash with brass hinges (left and right), the
center train door, the large window sash on either side of the train door, and
lower panels below the sash. These are all original mahogany components
of the Narcissus. August 5, 2016. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
the background of this image is the number 1 end vestibule. One can
see the original bulkhead window sash with brass hinges (left and right), the
center train door, the large window sash on either side of the train door, and
lower panels below the sash. These are all original mahogany components
of the Narcissus. August 5, 2016. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
Original poplar tongue-and-groove vertical sheathing for the number 1 end
dasher, repaired, primed, and ready for finish coats of Pullman Green.
August 8, 2016. PWM
dasher, repaired, primed, and ready for finish coats of Pullman Green.
August 8, 2016. PWM
Original poplar tongue-and-groove vertical sheathing for the number 1 end
with finish coats of Pullman Green. August 12, 2016. PWM
A few of the original poplar exterior arch halves were repaired, primed, joined
together, and ready for finish coats of Pullman Green. Each of these is overone of the large leaded stained glass "eyebrows" above the double sash
passenger windows. August 13, 2016. PWM
A few of the original poplar exterior arch halves after their finish coats of
Pullman Green. Each of these is over one of the large leaded stained glass"eyebrows" above the double sash passenger windows.
August 19, 2016. PWM
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
congratulations Phil and good luck with this!
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