Ethel Carow Roosevelt Derby, Daughter of Theodore Roosevelt - Maine Visits 1911- Archie Roosevelt 1927-

 

Ethel Carow Roosevelt, the youngest daughter of the then POTUS 

Theodore Roosevelt. This is a 1912 photo. She was born on 8/13/1891

Updated - July 3, 2026

My interest in Theodore Roosevelt was inspired by my passion as a volunteer at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, to advance the restoration of the 1912 Narcissus.

The 1912 high-speed, luxury electric interurban Narcissus operated in Maine from 1914 to 1933. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on board the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.

The Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

My interest in Roosevelt grew over time, culminating in my founding the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Project (TRMHT). Click here to view the post that kicked off the TRMHT Project.

Joe Banavige released this wonderful American 250 Tribute to William W "Bill" Sewall, TR's Maine guide (along with Wilmot Dow, Bill's nephew). Click here to see Joe's Substack post.

This post includes newspaper clippings/articles/photos related to Ethel Roosevelt's visits to Maine starting in 1911. She and members of her family spent time in Maine over many years.

During August 1911, Ethel had her twentieth birthday. It was also the month that she visited Dark Harbor, Isleboro, Maine. Her older sister Alice first visited Isleboro in August 1902. 

Click here to view the post about Alice Roosevelt visiting Maine from 1902 on.

The yacht Mayflower was mentioned in the post about Ethel's sister, Alice, visiting Dark Harbor, Islesboro, in the summer of 1902.  The Mayflower spent September 2 & 3 in Islesboro with President Taft aboard. Unfortunately, Ethel had left Isleboro on August 28th. She had been on board the Mayflower numerous times, starting in 1902, when her father, Theodore Roosevelt, was President.

I'm sure I'll look into various side topics like the Mayflower, which are present in several of these newspaper clippings. I'll update this post with the info. I'm open to receiving feedback as well :)

You can click the photo or the clipping to enlarge and view...

1911

The article below mentions that Ethel left on Monday (August 28th).

On July 20, 1911, Ethel's sister, Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth, was also mentioned in a newspaper clipping, stating that she (Alice) was to be a guest and visit family friends in Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine, in August. 

Bangor Daily News - September 2, 1911

This original watercolor began being painted in 1902,

by Alfred Addy - White House Historical Association

The heading of an article that describes Dark Harbor's attractions on the island of Islesboro, Maine.

Bangor Daily News - September 9, 1911

The article below mentions Ethel as a guest for a week (ending August 28).

Bangor Daily News - September  5, 1911

The article below describes Ethel's host.

Kennebec Journal - September 6, 1911

1913

Ethel became engaged to marry Dr. Richard Derby in February 1914. Richard Derby's father, Dr. Richard H. Derby, was well acquainted with Theodore Roosevelt for many years. Dr. Richard H. Derby had a big, beautiful summer home in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine, built in 1898/99. When Ethel's sister, Alice, visited Dark Harbor in 1902, Richard Derby, the son of Dr. Richard H. Derby, attended a gathering hosted by the Derby family in Dark Harbor.

Sun Journal - February 14, 1913

The Times Record - February 20, 1913

Times Record - April 24, 1913

Interesting comment on a statement in the Roosevelt sisters' commitment to their husbands.

Rumford Falls Times - April 12, 1913

1918

As mentioned earlier, Richard Derby's parents owned a summer home in Dark Harbor, Isleboro, Maine. Islesboro is an island off the coast of Maine, between Camden and Belfast. TR, his wife, Edith, and their son Quentin's fiancée, Flora Whitney, visited Dark Harbor in Islesboro after Quentin died in the summer of 1918, during WWI.

Click here to view that story and see the homes they stayed in. There are several photos of summer homes used by the Roosevelts in that post as well.

Kennebec Journal - July 19, 1918

Ocean side view of the Derby cottage, circa 1905

 Image from Maine Historic Preservation

Commission in The Summer Cottages of Islesboro

1890-1930 publication, by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr

Islesboro Historical Society 1989

Kennebec Journal - July 26, 1918

Bangor Daily News - July 27, 1918

Bangor Daily News - July 31, 1918

Bangor Daily News - August 1, 1918

Click here to view the post on the Roosevelts visiting Dark Harbor

Click here to view the post on the Roosevelts visiting Camden

Click here to view the post of the Roosevelts visiting Belfast

During his visit to Camden, he climbed Mount Batty. Mount Batty may have been the final mountain he ever climbed. Sadly, he passed away 5 months later. January 6, 1919.

Evening Express - August 3, 1918

Daily Kennebec Journal, August 5, 1918 

Daily Kennebec Journal, August 5, 1918

Evening Express - August 8, 1918

Sun Journal - August 21, 1918

1919

The clipping below has one of those "rabbit hole" statements that I mention in the opening of this post. That Ethel Roosevelt Derby might be spending the summer (1919) in Falmouth Foreside. Hopefully, I can locate evidence.

Evening Express - June 27, 1919

Evening Express - August 6, 1919

Kennebec Journal - August 9, 1919

1920

The clipping below mentions Ethel and her father being in Islesboro in 1918. It misstates the name of TR's son who died during WWI. It was Quentin who died, not Kermit.

Bangor Daily News - July 31, 1920

1922

The clipping below refers to the Adams cottage being used by Edith and TR.

Bangor Daily News - July 8, 1922

The clipping below reminisces about TR's visit to Dark Harbor in 1918. It mentions Ethel. Like the clipping above, July 31, 1920, it misstates the name of TR's son who died during WWI. It was Quentin who died, not Kermit.

Bangor Daily News - August 7, 1922

1927

Ethel's brother, Archie Roosevelt, rented the Adams cottage in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine, during the summer of 1927. I'm assuming "Mrs. Roosevelt" is Archie's wife, because the clipping states it's their first season at Islesboro. Archie's mother, Mrs. Roosevelt, stayed in the Adams cottage with her husband, TR, in 1918. I will search for any of Archie Roosevelt's family members who visited him while there that summer.

Sun Journal - July 22, 1927

Portland Press Herald - July 24, 1927

Lewiston Daily Sun - July 26, 1927

Portland Press Herald - August 14, 1927

Portland Press Herald - August 25, 1927

Bangor Daily News - August 27, 1927

Kennebec Journal - August 29, 1927

Portland Press Herald - September 4, 1927

1928

The clipping below is another one that shares a couple as they reminisce about being guests of Ethel's at Dixon cottage back in the summer of 1918.

Bangor Daily - September 3, 1928

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Click Here: to see Donation Options to Help Civil Rights Bus 6481 

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

Click Here: For the post with the numerous Novelty Notes Connecting Theodore Roosevelt, Maine, and the "Elegant Ride," Narcissus

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivate, fascinate, then generate interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options for Helping the Narcissus

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

Click Here: Series of posts featuring the Founding of the Trolley Museum in 1939

Click Here: for the post on Brochures of the STM 1955-2025

     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.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Click Here: for 3rd Grade Lesson Plans - Example for Viewing the Vocabulary Activities for Grades 3-8

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 😊