"I Want To Come Visit My Old Bedroom!" - A Tribute to Daniel A. Vallee 1941-2017

J. Henry Vallee (left) with his son, Daniel Vallee, relaxing

inside their summer cottage, Narcissus. This image is dated

June 1965. In the background, you see the kitchen/dining room

that was attached to the body of the Narcissus. Dan was a Marine

when this picture was taken. Dan retired from the Marines

as a Major in 1984. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

This blog post is a tribute to Daniel A. Vallee.

September 25 is the birthday of Daniel A. Vallee. Dan would have been 76 today. Sadly, Dan passed away unexpectedly on September 1, 2017.  He will be greatly missed by this writer. I only knew Dan for a couple of years, but he became an instant and dear friend from our first meeting. Dan grew up living in the Narcissus. When he was dating Rose, he first introduced her to his parents while they were living in the Narcissus. Rose and Dan were married for 50 years. All of us in the Narcissus family share our deepest condolences with Rose, their two sons, Leo and Patrick, and all of the extended Vallee family members for their loss of Dan.

Early sightings of the Narcissus were at the Vallee's summer camp, as it was seen from the Androscoggin & Kennebec Railway in the late 1930s.

Screenshot of the Narcissus as seen in Sabattus, Maine, during

a fan trip. The footage is from the O. R. Cummings Collection

at Northeast Historic Film

Click here for the short clip from a fan trip in the 1930s or early 40s. They happened to pass by the Narcissus in Sabattus, Maine, when it was a summer camp. The footage is from the O. R. Cummings Collection at Northeast Historic Film (P.O. Box 900, 85 Main Street, Bucksport, Maine 04416) and is used here with permission from NHF.

I first met Dan and Rose Vallee in mid-afternoon on Friday, July 31, 2015, as I was setting up for the first Teddy Roosevelt Days weekend event benefiting the Narcissus Project. They made the trek from the Monmouth, Maine area to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Earlier in the week, Dan had seen a newspaper story about the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus, entering the Museum's Townhouse Restoration Shop. The sole surviving piece of rolling stock of Maine's most famous interurban system was beginning the long process of a full restoration to operating condition. Dan was inspired to call the Museum. Upon his call being answered, Dan's first statement to the staff member was, "I want to visit my old bedroom!" The befuddled staff member asked the caller to clarify his request. Dan went on to explain that he had grown up living in the Narcissus. The Narcissus had been the Vallee family's summer camp at Sabbatus Lake. Dan's father, J. Henri Vallee, had made a trade with the Trolley Museum for the Narcissus back in the late 60s. And so later that week, Rose and Dan headed down to see Dan's old bedroom.

Various newspapers that carried the story of the Narcissus

during July/August 2015. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Dan and Rose arrived at the Museum after lunch on that Friday. They met Donald Curry and Randy Leclair and were given a tour of the Narcissus. Dan explained the layout of the living arrangements from when he and his brother, Andre, and their parents, J. Henri and Emercienne "Marie". Dan's father had purchased the "body" of the Narcissus for $100 in the 1930s. Dan was born on September 25, 1941. He spent the first eighteen summers of his life living in the Narcissus. When Dan was eight or nine, the family actually lived in the Narcissus year-round for a couple of years. Dan took the time to explain where he and his brother slept. Where his parents slept. The placement of the buck stove. He pointed out two "imprints" where hinges were on the exterior of the number-one end. The hinges held a wooden "window" that his mother would open to sell hot dogs and coffee to summer folks who were visiting the lake.

The placement of the hinges is clearly evident on the left side, the number

one end of the Narcissus, just over the first window opening of the smoking

compartment. Dan Valle's mother would sell hot dogs and coffee through this

opening to visitors to Sabattus Pond/Lake. PWM

An interesting coincidence is that the family lived in a third-story apartment in Lewiston for many years. That apartment happened to be next door to the body of the "Maine," which had become a diner. Dan mentioned that on Friday and Saturday nights, the "Maine" had live musical entertainment for the patrons. And that he and his brother would be up late into the night, hearing the various songs.

The 1920 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 22 "Maine."  

Named in honor of the Centennial of the State of Maine.

The body was sold in late 1933 or early 1934 and became

a diner in Lewiston, ME.Image and info from O. R. Cummings'

1967 book, "Maine's Fast Electric Railroad"

Narcissus project sponsor Phil Morse, on the left, with Dan Vallee.

Phil was explaining the process used for restoring

the leaded stained glass windows of the Narcissus.

July 31, 2015. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Once Dan & Rose returned to Florida for the winter of 2015/16, Dan looked through his family "archives." He was very kind to share his family photos of the Narcissus from the 1960s. They included the first photo in this blog, which had Dan sitting in the Narcissus with his father, J. Henri Vallee. See the other Vallee family photos of the Narcissus - Click Here.

Early in the calendar year, Dan accepted my invitation to be a guest speaker at the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days event on Friday, August 5, 2016. Dan also agreed to visit the Museum a few weeks before the Teddy Days event to be videoed while being interviewed. The lead topic for the interview was what life was like living in the Narcissus as he was growing up.

Click the video above to watch Daniel Vallee's short clip on what life was like living in Narcissus. Video created and edited by Patricia Pierce Erikson

"A President Has Ridden in My House" - Click Here to see the video with Dan Vallee of what life was like living in the Narcissus when he was a youngster.

The three photos and captions below are from the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days weekend event gala opening on August 5, 2016.

Dan and Rose Vallee are together once again in the Narcissus.

Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

    Married for 49 years, Dan first introduced Rose to his parents when the elder Vallees were living in the Narcissus in Sabattus, Maine. This photo opportunity was prepared specifically for photo opportunities inside the right side of the smoking compartment during the three-day event to benefit the Narcissus project. The restored original passenger windows in Santo Domingo mahogany sash, with the restored original leaded stained glass eyebrow above, also in the original mahogany sash. All the mahogany components are seen encasing the windows and the bulkhead frame (on the far left unfinished), including the brass hardware, original to the Narcissus. Notice the framed pictures of the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, standing in the White House next to a 1914 image of the Narcissus in Gray :)

Left to Right - Narcissus project manager, Phil Morse, author, Michael

Canfield, Dan Vallee, and Seashore Trolley Museum Library Committee

member, Karen Dooks. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Dan Vallee gave an extremely entertaining explanation of what

his life was like as he grew up living in the Narcissus in the 1940s,

50s, and 60s. Stories of living conditions, family members, and life

in general as told through a variety of personal stories. Well Done, Dan!

photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson

Dan and Rose attended the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days event on Friday, July 21, 2017. It was a special evening with Maine artist Wade Zahares, unveiling the original artwork he created of the Narcissus. Dan and Rose were able to have conversations with descendants of W. S. and Annie Libbey, who were also in attendance. 

Rose Vallee, Dan Vallee, and Don Curry were in the audience during

the Friday opening of the Teddy Roosevelt Days event. Friday,

 July 21, 2017 - Photo by Ernie Eaton

Maine artist Wade Zahares introduced his new work, "Fast Friends",

featuring the Narcissus, W. S., and Annie Libbey in

Libbey's very rare 1908 Stanley K 30-hp Semi-Racer. PWM

Morrison Hill Station is a Portland-Lewiston Interurban waiting station from West Cumberland, Maine. It was in place in 1915. Seashore Trolley Museum acquired the station in 1990 or so. Volunteers at the Museum rebuilt the metal-clad building and placed it along the Museum's heritage line as the first/last stop for passengers as they leave/approach the Visitor Center platform. At this stop, visitors may choose to disembark from the historically restored electric railway vehicle to visit the newly dedicated Donald Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Riverside Exhibit Carbarn, or continue their walking tour to other public exhibits throughout the Museum campus. 

Morrison Hill Station is now undergoing some structural improvements. Next spring. When the Museum reopens its public operations (2018 will be the Museum's 79th anniversary year!), the interior of the Morrison Hill Station will have a Portland-Lewiston Interurban exhibit. A couple of weeks ago, a new 5-foot-wide exterior patio bench for visitors was assembled and placed on the platform of Morrison Hill Station. The plan is to add another bench to the platform next spring. In considering a dedication or memorial plaque or plate to be attached to the first bench, the initial decision was to honor J. Henry Vallee. Had Mr. Vallee not purchased the body of the Narcissus in the late 30s for use as the Vallee summer camp, it most certainly would not have survived. Solely due to Mr. Vallee's acquisition, the sole surviving piece of rolling stock from Maine's premier interurban line is now undergoing restoration. 

In developing the text for the dedication, this writer searched Google for the letter "J" in Mr. Vallee's name. The Google search instead had this writer learn that Daniel A. Vallee had passed away. I do struggle expressing my feelings about how I dealt with this news over the following couple of days. Over time, I will find several ways to honor Dan. To start with, the first bench at the Morrison Hill Station will be dedicated in memory of Dan. His father will be mentioned in the text, but this first bench is Dan's. I'll also be dedicating a donation to the Narcissus project in memory of Daniel A. Vallee. He very much wanted to go for "a ride in his house" once it was back on the tracks, a majestic representative of the most beloved Maine electric interurban.

Starting in 1915, the Morrison Hill Station was a waiting station

at the Portland-Lewiston Interurban in West Cumberland, Maine.

The Narcissus would be one of the PLI interurbans to

stop at this station to pick up and discharge passengers.

The 5-foot green bench is a new addition to the platform. PWM

The new 5-foot-wide bench at the Morrison Hill Station.

    This bench now has a nameplate attached, inscribed with text in memory of Daniel A. Vallee. Over many, many years to come, the text will share a nugget of Dan's humor with the thousands of Museum visitors who will read as they share some restful moments on the bench. Once the Narcissus is restored to operating status, it too will pause at Morrison Hill Station from time to time. In doing so, the Narcissus will share a moment with Dan during each trip.

The plate - Thank you to Roger Bastarache at R & W Engraving

in Biddeford for making the plate in short order. PWM

Obituary
Daniel A. Vallee
(1941 - 2017)
North Monmouth (ME) - Daniel A. Vallee, 75, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 1, 2017, at his lake house. He was born in Lewiston (ME) on September 25, 1941, the son of the late Henri and Emercienne "Marie" (Paquette). Dan was educated at St. Don's and graduated in 1959. He later joined the United States Marine Corps. He retired as a Major in 1984. He obtained his Master's Degree in Business at Western New England College. He worked at ASEC for 22 years until retiring as Vice-President in November 2006. On May 20, 1967, he married the love of his life, Rose (Daigle), and they shared a loving marriage of over 50 years. He belonged to the American Legion and the Elks Club. Dan enjoyed fishing, cigars, traveling, and spending time with family. Dan is survived by his wife, his two children, Leo Vallee of Tucson, AZ, and Patrick Vallee of Auburn; his sister-in-law, Bernadette Vallee of Lewiston; his one grandchild, Alexandra LaBonte of Plantation, FL, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Andre Vallee.

Daniel A. Vallee 1941- 2017

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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 donating today!

Click Here: Donation Options

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

     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

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive

Vallee Family Pictures of the Narcissus - 1960s

J. Henri Vallee with the Narcissus in the background on March 5, 1969.

In the background, to the right, you can see the roof trusses for the

replacement summer camp that the Seashore Trolley Museum would build later

that year. The new three-room structure was to replace Vallee's summer

camp. In 1934, Mr. Vallee purchased the "body" of the Narcissus for $100

from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban in Lewiston, Maine, and then moved

to Sabattus, Maine, to become his family's summer camp. In this image,

the Narcissus was moved from its original position, which was behind the

tree seen here in the center of the image.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Late last week, a package from Mr. Daniel Vallee arrived. The package contained eighteen photographs of the Narcissus. Now, for many railway/railroad enthusiasts, this would provide images of the Narcissus in its glory days of being a magnificent representative of the high-speed, wooden electric interurbans of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The PLI operated between Portland, Maine, and Lewiston, Maine, from 1914 until 1933. The Narcissus is the lone surviving piece of rolling stock from the forward-thinking visionary, W. S. Libbey. The businessman who built what became known as the "Finest Electric Railroad in All-New England". This elegant, iconic piece of railway history, Narcissus, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Some may think an image of Theodore Roosevelt aboard during his ride on Narcissus on August 18, 1914, may have been included in the collection.

But no. The pictures of the Narcissus in this package are not of this gem, which sits on rails in any one of the many communities it traveled through during its operating heyday. The images contained in this package are just as important in helping us tell the full life story of Narcissus. A story that is now more than 100 years old! The twenty years the Narcissus spent on the PLI rails helped to carry the 7.3 million passengers travel between Portland and Lewiston during that time, which is a very important chapter in its life, but not the only chapter. 

After the PLI ended operations, it sold many of the "bodies" of its rolling stock, including the interurbans. Mr. J. Henri Vallee purchased the body of the Narcissus in 1934. For $100! He moved it from Lewiston, Maine, to Sabattus, Maine, where it became the Vallee summer camp until 1969. Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, Maine, acquired the Narcissus from Mr. Vallee late in 1969. 

This past summer (2015), Mr. Vallee's son, Daniel Vallee, read his local Lewiston-area newspaper and its story about his former summer camp residence under restoration at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. He made a phone call to the Seashore Trolley Museum and made arrangements to visit the Narcissus. Daniel spent the first eighteen summers of his life using the Narcissus as his summer home in Sabattus! During his visit, he mentioned he would look through his family "archives," searching for photos of the Narcissus. 

Presented here are many of those Vallee family photos that include the Narcissus. On behalf of the Museum and the Narcissus, I want to say Thank You! We owe the Vallee family a tremendous debt of gratitude for bringing the Narcissus into their family and keeping the Narcissus safe for thirty-five years. If not for Daniel's father purchasing the Narcissus in 1934, who knows what the future would have had in store for the Narcissus? We do know the fate of its sister interurbans, Arbutus, Gladiolus, Clematis, Azalea, Magnolia, and Maine. But for a few clerestory stained glass windows from the Arbutus, abandoned sections of the right of way, repurposed power stations and carbarns, and assorted ephemera here and there, all other remnants of the "Grand Old Interurban" are gone. 

Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project. Funds are still needed to complete the restoration of the Narcissus.  Scroll to the end of this post to find all donation options. Thank You :)

Narcissus, snowbound on March 5, 1969. It would still be several

months before the Narcissus would make its way to the

Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

Narcissus was the Vallee family summer camp from 1941 until
1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

To see a short movie clip of Narcissus taken during a railroad fan trip in the late 1930s/early 40s

Click Here

J. HenriyVallee (left) with his son, Daniel Vallee, relaxing inside

their summer cottage, Narcissus. The image is dated June 1965.

In the background, you see the room that was attached to the body

of the Narcissus. A kitchen/dining room is seen in the background.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Looking at the narrow doorway of the Number 1 end of the

Narcissus. The smoking compartment area is through the doorway,

then onto the vestibule of the # 1 end. The entrance to the attached

kitchen/dining area is to the left, out of sight from the angle at which

this photo was taken. The date written on the back of this photo is

July 8, 1961. Left to Right - Venerand Paquette, Billy Paquette,

Rose Marie Paquette, J. Henri Vallee. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

I am very happy to report that I have received several responses to the request to ID individuals who helped with the Narcissus transition from Sabattus to the Seashore Trolley Museum campus from 1968 until late 1969. Names will be inserted as they become available.

Donald G. Curry/STM image.

    The image above: Seashore Trolley Museum staff and volunteers assess the Narcissus and best practices for separating the attached kitchen/dining room. They would then move the Narcissus from this location to a location nearer the road for a better loading position. Probably the late fall of 1968. Personal recollections from Jack Murray include, "I'm in the panoramic shot of the crew getting ready to separate the el from the car body; the el will be moved back and the car body toward the road (slid on blocking, pulled with Coffin hoists) so that the new cottage could go up in the same spot. My recollection is that this was done during school Christmas vacation (1968), with the crew being myself (Jack Murray), my cousin Paul, and Russell Bryant (all students at Cape Elizabeth (ME) High School, Donald (Curry), John Coughlin, and Bill Dox (the driving force behind the project). Russell is side to the camera, striding to the left. I'm (Jack) behind him with his back to the camera." If you recognize any of these folks, please forward the name and their position in this photo to Phil Morse via email at p.morse31@gmail.com.

Narcissus in the early spring of 1969. The attached kitchen/dining

room was removed. You can see the stack of wood materials that

will be used to construct the three-room replacement summer camp.

Donald G. Curry/STM image.

Narcissus is on the far left with the utility meter hanging down.

Trusses in the background, leaning against the removed

kitchen/dining room. You can also see the remaining footings

that the Narcissus had been removed from. It was relocated

nearer the road for easier loading onto the trailer.

Probably late spring of 1969. Donald G. Curry/STM image.

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers work to position the Narcissus

on the trailer. Then, the trip to the Seashore Trolley Museum in

Kennebunkport, Maine. Sept/Oct 1969. The number 1 end is to the

right. If you recognize any of these folks, please forward the name

and their position in this photo to Phil Morse via email at

p.morse31@gmail.com. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Narcissus is secured to the trailer. The tractor-trailer set up was

affectionately called the "Highway Monster" by Seashore Trolley

Museum volunteers. The Highway Monster was used by Museum

volunteers to bring various streetcars, interurbans, and related

equipment from destinations throughout the USA to the

Kennebunkport campus. The beautiful three-room summer camp

replacement for the Narcissus in the background.

October 1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee

Final farewell photo with the Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers,

Vallee family members and other interested individuals. If you

recognize anyone in this image, please forward the name and their

position in this photo to Phil Morse via email at

p.morse31@gmail.com. Late October 1969.

Marie Vallee is third from the right.

Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

Seashore Trolley Museum's Highway Monster with the Narcissus

receiving final adjustments from the Museum volunteers before

making the trek to the Museum campus in Kennebunkport, Maine,

late in October 1969. Image courtesy of Daniel Vallee.

    From this angle, you can see in the photo above where the kitchen/dining room was attached. The number 1 end is facing the tractor. The large arch window where the top of the ladder is placed over-identifies where the smoking compartment is located. The Narcissus would later make their way to Lewiston and have banners placed on each side. These banners would advertise the need for funds to restore the Narcissus, and also serve as a way to thank all the businesses that donated materials, money, and contributions-in-kind, such as skilled labor to build the three-room replacement summer camp.

Daniel Vallee at Seashore Trolley Museum on July 31, 2015.

Image courtesy of Patricia Pierce Erikson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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 donating today!

Click Here: Donation Options

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

     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

Independent book publisher Phil Morse, holding

Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive