Thursday, August 24, 2017

The Narcissus was Born in Laconia, NH in 1912: Laconia Presentation and Weekend - Great Turnout, Great Time!

Saturday, August 19, Donald Curry, from Seashore Trolley Museum,
addresses the near-capacity audience in the Rotary Hall of the
  Gale MemorialLibrary in Laconia, NH.
Donald and Narcissus project manager, Phil Morse, to speak on
PWM

Additional blog posts on Seashore Trolley Museum's Laconia Car Company-built Collection:
Click Here: No. 14 - 1912 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No. 38 - 1907 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No. 60 - 1895 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No. 100 - 1906 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No. 108 - 1904 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No. 235, No. 50 & No. 9 - 1895, 1902, & 1904 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No 4175 - 1914 Laconia Car Company-built Collection
Click Here: No. 4387 - 1918 Laconia Car Company-built Collection

Laconia Historical Society and Museum Executive director, Pat Tierney,
opens the public presentation with a welcome and introductions. Local
TV cable access recorded the presentation that will then be broadcast
in the area on a regular basis for some period of time. PWM

One of the early guests to arrive prior to the start of the presentation was
Theresa Doucet. Theresa lives in Laconia and mentioned that her grandfather,
Alfred Doucet was a motorman for the Laconia Street Railway. She went
on to say that her grandfather generally was the motorman when operating
No. 17. She then shared an image of her grandfather in the doorway of No.
17. Alfred is standing inside at the top of the doorway in the image above.
Seashore Trolley Museum has the original body of No. 17. It is not restored,
does not have trucks, and is not an accessioned vehicle in the collection
of the Museum. No. 17 at Seashore Trolley Museum may be the only
original streetcar body that survives that was built by the Laconia Car
Company for the Laconia Street Railway?
Image Courtesy of Theresa Doucet

A negative of No. 17 from the collection of the Laconia Historical Society
and Museum.

Of course, No. 17 seemed to be omnipresent over the weekend in Laconia :)
Cover of the book, "Slates, Shingles, & Shakes: A Renovation
Guide for Laconia's Historic Homes", published in 1978 by the City of
Laconia. Courtesy of LHSM

Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914,
so, of course, the Narcissus displays would include Theodore Roosevelt-related
items such as the Ken Burns' signed poster from his documentary on
The Roosevelt: An Intimate History. As well as Narcissus restored
passenger window, an exterior poplar arch for a large leaded stained glass
"eyebrow", a shoebox promoting Laconia with an image Seashore Trolley
Museum's 1906 Laconia Car company-built No. 38, from Manchester, NH.
Also displayed is an original Western Electric portable phone exactly like
those used on the Portland-Lewiston Interurbans. PWM

Another Narcissus display. This one included a tri-fold with pictures of
restoration work, the Narcissus Blog address, and five of the forty,
restored original leaded stained glass windows from the 1912 Laconia Car
Company-built, Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) No, 14, Narcissus. Also
on display was a large print of the new original work of art by
Maine artist, Wade Zahares, that depicts The Narcissus operating alongside
the  builder of the PLI, W. S. Libbey, with his wife Annie, as they are riding
in Libbey's very rare 1908 Stanley K 30-hp Semi-Racer. PWM

Two more Narcissus displays included items for sale. 100% of the proceeds
from the sale of Theodore Roosevelt-related books (all signed by
the respective authors), and Narcissus art prints and greeting cards for
sale. Click Here: if you would like to purchase prints or greeting cards. PWM

Main Street view of beautiful Gale Memorial Library in Laconia, NH. PWM

Church Street view of the Gale Memorial Library in Laconia, NH.
The Laconia Historical Society & Museum, in cooperation with the library,
had beautiful exhibits on display that detailed the Laconia B & M
Railroad Station, the Laconia Car Company, and the Laconia Street Railway.
PWM

The Veteran's Square view of the 1892 passenger B & M Railroad Station.
"Celebrate Laconia" held a day-long celebration on Saturday, August 19,
the 125th anniversary of the station's dedication. PWM

New Salem Street view of the 1892 B & M Railroad Station in Laconia, NH.
PWM

Various businesses provided financial
support for the station renovation. PWM

The stonework is beautiful. PWM

Stonework and walkway to access the front
of the station by walking to one's left. PWM

Stonework and walkway to access the front
of the station going to one's right. PWM

Laconia, NH, home of the Laconia Car Company. Laconia Car Company
was a major manufacturer of railway vehicles. PWM

A number of the buildings built by the Laconia Car Company are still
in place in Laconia, NH. This was the last building built by the Company.
Like most of the remaining Laconia Car Company buildings, "Streetcar
Place" has been repurposed and now is home to a number of individual
businesses, including, Hector's Fine Foods & Spirits. PWM

Streetcar at the top of the menu of Hector's Fine Foods and Spirits in
Laconia, NH. PWM

The Laconia Historical Society & Museum (LHSM) owns this former Laconia
Car Company building. The LHM's archives and collections are held in
this building. This building was where sash trimming, glazing, and
varnishing were done while it was part of the Laconia Car Company.
PWM

Map with drawings of the Laconia Car Company buildings. Courtesy LHSM

Donald Curry is next to the old railroad tracks that are seen on the
map above. The next image shows the smokestack in the map above.
PWM

What is now seen as the top of the smokestack is not what was the top
when the Laconia Car Company had it built. The section of the
stack seen here has its interior "lined" and therefore is much
stronger and more stable than the section above where the lining ceased.
The unlined section deteriorated over the years and the crumbling brinks
began to break away causing safety concerns. The unlined section was
removed and the top was covered and sealed. The remaining section is
stable. PWM

Map of Laconia Car Company with descriptions written on the rooftops.
Courtesy of LHSM

Across the street from the Laconia Historical Society & Museum building
are (left to right) Laconia Car Company tenement buildings and
passenger shops. PWM

This full map gives you a real sense of the scale of the Laconia Car Company operations.
Courtesy of the LHSM

Had the privilege of  looking through
some of the many materials in
the LHSM collection that has to do with
the Laconia Car Company.
Courtesy of LHSM

So cool to find materials that have to do with specific vehicles
built by the Laconia Car Company that is now among the
amazing collection of electric railway vehicles at
Seashore Trolley Museum. Seashore Trolley Museum
has the last original car from the 4100 series, No. 4175. 4175
was among the cars built for the Bay State Street Railway. Builder
order  No. 700 was received on April 4, 1913, for 50 City/Semicon
(semi convertible) DE (Double End) Deck (Roof style) DT
(Double-Truck) 28-foot Nos. 4150-4199 with
Bay State 12 (original trucks).

4175 at Seashore Trolley Museum three days ago. Here it is being
prepared to receive one of its new fenders. 4175 is in the final
stages of its complete restoration. Currently 4175 needs about
$10,000 for materials and some labor to finish up the restoration.
Contact this writer via email at p.morse31@gmail.com
if you would like to help 4175 financially reach its completion.
PWM

One of two newly-built fenders for 4175. PWM

The Narcissus was part of Builder Order No. 661 :)
Courtesy of LHSM

Breakdown with some details of the Builder Order No. 661 from 1912
Courtesy of LHSM

We continue the restoration work on the Narcissus, the only surviving interurban coach of the PLI. Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project to help the restoration work continue to completion.

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 100 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
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
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-running 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, education programming. During 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!

Theodore Roosevelt on the Narcissus when addressing
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

The Narcissus in the restoration shop in 2020 PWM

   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
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 a one-time donation or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, 207-967-2712 ext. 5.

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 on filling in the required information.

Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@NEERHS.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, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, 207-967-2712 ext. 5,
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 - 2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
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
* 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 are 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.

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
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days Event Weekend - AMAZING!!

One of the many fabulous moments of the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days
opening gala for the weekend event. When, on Friday, July 21, fourteen
descendants of W. S. Libbey, and their spouses, gathered in front
of the number one end of one of the Libbey patriarch's prized possessions,
the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus, for a family photo
opp. Nine great-grandchildren, two great, great-grandchildren, and three
great, great, great-grandchildren of W. S. & Annie Libbey.
PWM

     The weather for the Friday opening of the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days event at Seashore Trolley Museum was hot! Very hot. The conditions did shorten the length of time some of the guests were able to stay and enjoy the scheduled activities. However, the activities generated photo opportunities and memories of experiences that will be fondly recalled for years to come.

     Registration began at 3 p.m. and shortly after 4, most of the guests boarded the 1901 open car trolley from Connecticut, No. 303, for the short ride to Morrison Hill Station. From the 1915 Portland-Lewiston way station, we walked up to the Town House Restoration Shop for a tour of the 1912 portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus. The Narcissus is undergoing restoration and is the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Teddy Roosevelt Days weekend.

Representing the New Gloucester Historical Society, guests
Tom Blake and Beverly Cadigan enjoy the short ride from
the visitor center to Morrison Hill Station. SB photo

     The guests were initially in two separate groups. One group was first on the floor of the shop to hear Donald Curry discuss aspects of the Narcissus restoration, while the second group of visitors was on the visitor gallery listening to Randy Leclair, shop foreman, discuss aspects of the restoration. The second group would later join the first group for photo opportunities of the Narcissus from the shop floor.

Guests along the visitor gallery as Randy Leclair explains aspects of the
Narcissus restoration. PWM

Guests listen to Donald Curry explain aspects of the Narcissus restoration.
PWM

With his son, Michael Meldrum, standing close, Phil Meldrum sits
patiently waiting while the Museum's crack shop staff
members, John Melanson and Randy Leclair cut and create a
replacement wood wheel for the right front of Phil's wheelchair.
The plastic spokes of the original wheel shattered when it was caught
in the track embedded in the shop floor. The autographed "new"
replacement wood wheel made for one of the memorable
experiences for the guests of the opening gala :) PWM

    Upon their return from the Narcissus tour, guests enjoyed light refreshments in the Museum's Exhibit Room while mingling and or meeting with other guests. Guests had opportunities to purchase raffle tickets, a variety of Theodore Roosevelt-related books signed by the respective authors, or to bid on more than 30 silent auction items.

Guests enjoy the light refreshments while perusing the various offerings
that will financially support the Narcissus project. PWM

    The schedule of activities, following the meet and greet, opened with a welcome to the guests by the Narcissus project manager, Phil Morse :) The first of three presentations compared the timeline of the personal lives of two men that will forever be associated with Narcissus, Theodore Roosevelt, and W. S. Libbey. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914. W. S. Libbey was the enterprising builder of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI). Libbey was also personally involved in the decisions on the interior appointment and the naming of the luxurious interurban coaches. 

The screen in the background has the first slide of the presentation by this
writer, "The Narcissus, Theodore Roosevelt, and W. s. Libbey: A Winning
Combination." PWM

     The second presentation had Seal Cove Auto Museum's Director of Curatorial Affairs, Roberto Rodriguez, which was titled; "Stanley Steamer Speed Records and the K Semi-Racer." W. S. Libbey's original 1908 Stanley K 30-hp Semi-Racer is at Seal Cove Auto Museum. It is viewed as being the most valuable Stanley in the world!

Roberto Rodriguez, Director of Curatorial Affairs for the Seal Cove Auto
Museum in Seal Cove on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Notice directly
behind Roberto is the not-yet-unveiled original artwork by the Maine artist,
Wade Zahares (seated far right), of the Narcissus with Libbey in his
K Semi-Racer :) PWM

     The final presentation was by Maine artist Wade Zahares. Wade was commissioned by an anonymous donor [ :) ] to create an original work depicting the Narcissus alongside W. S. Libbey driving his very rare 1908 Stanley K Semi-Racer. Wade spoke of his personal connections to the Libbey family. Wade introduced his mother, Lida Schott Zahares, and his aunt, Nancy Schott Plaisted. The Schott sisters grew up in Lewiston and were neighbors to grandchildren and great-grandchildren of W. S & Annie Libbey! How cool is that? This Narcissus has connected so many intertwining personal stories and Wade's is one more that adds to this rich, wonderful project.

Maine artist, Wade Zahares, addresses the guests just prior to the unveiling
of his original work which is just to his left. PWM

     The moment we were all waiting for then arrived. Wade and Phil unveil Wade's amazing work,
"Fast Friends",  to hardy applause! Then Wade discussed details and answered guests' questions about his beautiful work.

Maine artist, Wade Zahares, talks about his newly unveiled original work,
"Fast Friends".

     The scheduled activities in the Exhibit Room wrapped up as the silent auction closed, raffle winners were announced, and guests had the opportunity to purchase prints of "Fast Friends".

Wade Zahares', "Fast Friends" prints are available for purchase.
Click Here for details by PWM

Wade Zahares' "Fast Friends" greeting cards are also available to purchase.
Click Here for details

     The opening gala came to a close following a trolley car ride on the 1901 open car from Connecticut, No. 303, on a beautiful early evening where guests thoroughly enjoyed the experience of riding on a beautifully restored, historic "Breezer".




303 at Talbot Park prior to heading back to the visitor center.

Motorman Ed Dooks interacting with guests from the vestibule of 303.

     The Friday gala was just the opening act for the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days weekend event to benefit the Narcissus project. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Sherri Alcock. The winner of the poster, "The Roosevelt: An Intimate History" signed by Ken Burns, was John Grady. John then donated the poster back to the Narcissus project :) Thank you, John!

Saturday activities included children's book author, Suzanne Buzby Hersey,
signing and selling her books. Her big seller this day was her book,
"My Maine". PWM

The 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days event is one of two special weekends
for members of the John Libby Family Association to visit the
 Trolley Museum. W. S. Libbey is a descendant of John Libby.
John Libby settled in Scarborough, Maine in the early 1630s. The
next JLFA members' weekend at the Trolley Museum will be
during the JLFA's 113th reunion in September 2017 PWM 

Chad Pinkham and his daughter Corinne are set up early in preparation for
visitors. This was the third year that they volunteered at the Teddy
Roosevelt Days event. PWM

The Narcissus project display for Teddy Roosevelt Days - PWM

"Fast Friends" prints are on sale on Saturday and Sunday of
the Teddy Roosevelt Days event - PWM

We continue the restoration work on the Narcissus, the only surviving interurban coach of the PLI. Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project to help the restoration work continue to completion.

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 100 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
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
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-running 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. During 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!

Theodore Roosevelt on the Narcissus when addressing
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

The Narcissus in the restoration shop in 2020 PWM

   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
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 a one-time donation or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5.

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 the email: finance@NEERHS.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, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5,
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 - 2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
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
* 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 are 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.

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
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.