Image from the official YouTube channel for Curator's Choice Podcast.
Like History? Love Museums?
Curator's Choice is an interview-style podcast with each episode featuring a new museum and the history of two extraordinary artifacts/exhibits housed there. From ancient relics to modern marvels, each episode of this show features a new museum. These guardians of history will share insights, anecdotes, and the often untold stories that breathe life into the artifacts they protect.
During this past summer, the Executive Director of the Seashore Trolley Museum, Katie Orlando, contacted me and asked if I would like to represent the Seashore Trolley Museum in a podcast interview. Ayla Anderson-Sparks, from the Curator's Choice Podcast, had contacted Katie and asked if the Museum would provide a staff member or volunteer to be interviewed. The podcast topic would have the Museum representative's talk feature stories about two of the Museum's major artifacts and or exhibits.
Katie and I agreed that the two featured artifacts should be two in the Maine Collection that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One, the Museum's first trolley car acquired; Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company, No. 31. The 124-year-old, Car 31, is considered the "Mother" trolley of all trolley museums in the World, and, 2024 is the 85th Anniversary of the saving of Car 31, which began what we now know as the Seashore Tolley Museum. The second featured artifact would be the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus. The only surviving interurban from what was considered the "Finest Electric Interurban Railway" in Maine and perhaps in all of New England. Former POTUS, Theodore Roosevelt, was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914. The Narcissus is currently undergoing restoration at the Seashore Trolley Museum.
Katie shared Ayla's contact information with me. Ayla and I corresponded and set up a date for the podcast interview. Scroll down to learn more about Ayla and her Curator's Choice Podcast.
And now, I'm sharing the link with you to the newly released podcast...Enjoy!
When you click on the live link below, you will be able to listen to the podcast and access related information about the two featured topics in the Seashore Trolley Museum podcast. In addition, all the other episodes that were previously released by Curator's Choice are also listed.
Episode 63: Seashore Trolley Museum was released on October 22, 2024
https://www.curatorschoicepodcast.com/1285394/episodes/15973482-episode-63-seashore-trolley-museum
Ayla Anderson-Sparks - Founder - Curator's Choice Podcast
Ayla provided some background about herself for doing the podcast:
I've always had a deep love for museums, history, and storytelling, which stems from my background in wildlife ecology and conservation, as well as my time working as an interpreter at the Calvert Marine Museum. I also spent several years in the Peace Corps, where I developed educational programs, so combining education with storytelling became a real passion for me.
The idea for my podcast, Curator's Choice, came to life after I was evacuated from my Peace Corps post in Malawi due to COVID-19. I found myself with a lot of time to reflect and wanted to create something meaningful. I always believed that museums are vibrant, relevant spaces filled with incredible stories that deserve to be shared with a wider audience, and that's how the podcast began. The goal was simple: showcase the fascinating artifacts and exhibits found in museums across the globe and make them accessible to everyone, especially during a time when many museums were closed to the public.
One of the key early moments that confirmed I was on the right path happened during my episode with the Idaho Potato Museum (Episode 12). Not only was it such a fun and quirky topic, but the museum staff were so enthusiastic and appreciative. Their passion mirrored my own, and hearing their excitement about how much they enjoyed being featured on the podcast made me realize that this project was creating a positive impact.
Another pivotal moment was when I secured an interview with the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (Episode 56). This felt like such an important piece of history to cover, and the opportunity to share that with listeners was incredibly fulfilling. It made me smile knowing that I was not only amplifying stories from smaller, lesser-known museums but also highlighting significant historical institutions.
Ultimately, my goal with Curator's Choice is to foster a love for museums and history through audio storytelling, allowing people to discover new museums, big or small, and feel inspired to visit or learn more. Every episode reminds me why I started this journey, and I'm excited to see where it will go next!
Ayla Anderson-Sparks
Here is the link to the list of all the Curator's Choice podcasts - you can also Click Here
To subscribe to Curator's Choice Podcast, copy/paste the URL below into the podcast app of your choice
https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1285394.rss
Several Episodes of the Curator's Choice Podcast are also available on YouTube
Click Here for Episode 56: Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The "Mother Car" of all trolley museums in the world,
Biddeford & Saco Railroad Company No. 31. was built in 1900
by the J. G. Brill Company in Philadelphia, PA, Car 31
is a double-truck open car that carries 60 passengers and has
been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since
1980. Nine other historic Maine railway vehicles join
Car 31 is on the NRHP list and is all held in public trust at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
In addition, Car 31 became a Save America's Treasures
Project in 2000. Photo courtesy of Dan Vardaro.
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The Car 31 "Parade of Chained Vehicles" diorama at
the Seashore Trolley Museum on August 31, 2024.
Thank you, Tom Tello and Anthony Tieuli.
Photo by Phil Morse
Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus had been
operating on the new electric railroad for less than two
months, when former President Theodore Roosevelt
was a passenger on a trip between Lewiston and Portland
on August 18, 1914. TR is seen here waving from the
number two end train door of the Narcissus to the gathered
spectators at the Gray, Maine stop. Photo courtesy of
the Gray Historical Society.
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).
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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 a one-time donation or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. 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: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can 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
* 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, majestic stained glass windows.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
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