Dan and Rose Vallee are together once again in the Narcissus.
Married for 49 years, Dan first introduced Rose to his parents when
the elder Vallees were living in the Narcissus in Sabattus,
Maine. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
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 restored original leaded stained glass eyebrow
above, also in an original mahogany sash. All the mahogany components seen here encasing the windows and the bulkhead frame (on the far left unfinished), including the brass hardware, which is original to the Narcissus. Notice the framed pictures of the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, in the White House next to a 1914 image of the Narcissus in Gray :)
The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, Narcissus, the night
before the Teddy Roosevelt Days benefit event. Guests will be
invited to investigate the beauty that we volunteers, or staff,
have at the Seashore Trolley Museum. A privilege to
experience daily. All 26 restored stained glass clerestory windows
(13 on each side) were in place for the event. PWM
The right side, at the number 1 end, smoking compartment
of the Narcissus. The large leaded stained glass "eyebrow,"
on high, above the double-sash passenger windows. Also in
place for event guests viewing, for the three-day benefit
event, is the vertical sheathing on each side working
its way into the vertices of the restored exterior poplar
arch halves. PWM
Lead Restoration Technician, Donald Curry, leaning against a
window in the Narcissus, as Narcissus project manager, Phil
Morse chats with event guests inside the Seashore Trolley
Museum's Town House Restoration Shop. PWM
Captured, capturing, a special moment. The right side of the
Narcissus' smoking compartment was prepared specifically for
guest photo opportunities during the benefit event. In the
background is the number 1 end vestibule. One can see the
original bulkhead window sash with brass hinges (left and right),
the center train door, a large window sash on either side of the
train door, and lower panels below the sash. All original mahogany!
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
Did I mention how popular this photo opportunity was?
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
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
Presque Isle Historical Society's display of the beautiful artifacts of
Theodore Roosevelt's. In the case on the left is TR's birch-bark
moose call he used while hunting in Maine in 1878 & 1879 with
Maine guides, William Sewall and Wilmot Dow. The mirror on the
wall in the back is the original buffalo horn mirror from TR's Elkhorn
Ranch in North Dakota. Sewall and Dow were hired as ranch hands
for the ranch in the mid-1880s. The Maine guides cut down trees
and built the Elkhorn Ranch, and lived in the ranch house with
their wives (and had children) and with TR. In the case on the right
is TR's single-action Colt 40-caliber long-barreled revolver used
in the Dakotas. PWM
How cool is this shot? The reflection in Theodore Roosevelt's
Elkhorn Ranch mirror is one of the three men who used this very
mirror daily, for three years in North Dakota in the mid-1880s!
(L-R) Theodore Roosevelt, Wilmot Dow, and William Sewall.
The image is from February 1879 in Maine.
TRC 520.12.015 PWM
Presque Isle Historical Society's Kimberly Smith introduces the
Roosevelt items to the guests assembled during the Friday
reception of Teddy Roosevelt Days event to benefit the Narcissus.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
Author Michael Canfield discussed many intriguing points
within his new book about TR, "Theodore Roosevelt in the
Field". I personally found the book very engaging and
enlightening, and strongly recommend it. PWM
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
Teddy Root Beer
Raffle prizes included a pine wood-barreled pen. The pine is
from a Narcissus clerestory, nailing roof rib. Also, an ash
wood-barreled pen was raffled off as well. PWM
An image that shows what the future has in store for us.
After seeing so many of the stained glass windows in place
in the Narcissus over the three-day event, my sense is
that the Narcissus is going to be even more beautiful when fully
restored. We dreamed it might be. Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
360-degree view of the reception set up just before guests arrive. PWM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We continue restoration work on the 191, 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 making a donation 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