Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers wire brushed the
iron carlines before painting with rust inhibitor primer. The remaining
ash wood roof ribs will be removed, assessed, replaced, or repaired,
sanded, primed, stained/painted, and reinstalled. PWM
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| Narcissus with most of the ash wood roof ribs removed. PWM |
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| Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers remove nails and prepare ash roof ribs for sanding and repairs. PWM |
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| Donald Curry, the lead restoration technician for the Narcissus restoration, is measuring the "bow" in each of the ash wood roof ribs. Some have become too "flat" and may not be reused. The weight of the two trolley pole bases flattened some ribs too much to reuse, and perhaps when a camp for more than 30 years, snow accumulation caused some roof ribs to flatten too much? When the time comes, new ash ribs will be cut and steam-bent to the proper bow to replace the flattened or unrepairable ribs. PWM |
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| Each end of each ash roof rib was stamped with markings when removed. These markings identify the rib number and the end on the left/right side of the roof. There are more than sixty ribs. Here you see the nail holes that will be filled and sanded before the top priming and the sides and bottom stained. PWM |
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| A few of the ash wood roof ribs waiting to have the repaired nail holes sanded. You can see the ID letters/numbers on these ribs by looking near the screw holes. PWM |
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| The roof ribs of Ashwood after repairs and sanding. PWM |
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| Roof ribs, each with their "bow" measurement. You may notice an end or two that has not been sanded. These were left as found and will be documented as such, in the archival record of the Narcissus. PWM |
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| Ribs before receiving stain/primer. PWM |
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| The stained portion of some ribs. PWM |
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| The gray primer has been applied to the ends and tops of the ribs. The ends are exposed to the elements and will be painted the same color as the exterior of the Narcissus, Pullman Green. The tops will accept the nails when the roof boards are reattached. PWM |
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Volunteer Jim Mackell making the "blanks" of extensions necessary to replace
those that are missing on the Narcissus. DGC
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| When finished, each of these blanks will extend from the tops of the exterior poplar arches that hold the mahogany sash of the leaded stained glass windows above the passenger windows. These blanks were cut from vintage poplar that was recovered by Rousseau Reclaimed Lumber from a "bank barn" that was razed in Akron, PA See the image below. PWM |
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| You can see how one extends from the top of the arch to the right. There is also, one that extends from the top left of the arch as well. Each extension, similar to each arch has a series of complicated cuts. One cut that allows for the back top edge to fit behind the large letterboard. One cut that allows us to meet and accept the extension next to it. One cut to accept the vertical sheathing that fits between the arch and the extension (see above as darker boards that become shorter as they approach the top of the arch). One cut to accept and blend into the top of the arch. PWM |
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| Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers sanding roof boards. Vintage poplar will be used to make the tongue and groove roof boards to replace any missing or unusable roof boards. See below PWM |
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| Volunteers, Jim Mackell and Dick Avy are "grooving" the vintage poplar for tongue and groove roof boards. DGC |
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| The Narcissus has about half of the original interlocking tiles in place down the center of the passenger compartment. There is also a significant amount of the original tiles in the smoking compartment. Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers are vacuuming the floor, before applying layers of materials to the tile to protect it from foot traffic. PWM |
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| A sheet of plexiglass is in place so that the tile can be seen. PWM |
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| The Narcissus tile has a neat history. See below PWM |
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| The tile was patented in 1894 by Frank Furness. Research is done by Donald Curry |
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| Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers with the Narcissus project table at Seashore Trolley Museum's Members' Day event. PWM |
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| Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride on the 1907 Twin City Rapid Transit No. 1267. PWM |
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| From the Twin City Rapid Transit, Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers will transfer to the 1914 Cleveland Railway No. 1227. PWM |
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| Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride on the 1914 Cleveland Railway No. 1227. PWM |
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| Seashore Trolley Museum volunteer operator, John Middleton, is 91 years old, and is explaining to two of the Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers, that during his working career, he was an aerospace engineer (I like to say John is a rocket scientist :) and designed testing equipment that landed safely on the surface of the moon! This life lesson is teaching that volunteers at the Trolley Museum come with a wide variety of professional skills. PWM |
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| Volunteer John Middleton operating the 1901 Connecticut Company open car No. 303 as Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride to the Pumpkin Patch. PWM |
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| Thornton Academy Residential Life student volunteers enjoy a ride on the 1901 Connecticut Company open car No. 303. PWM |
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| Ad in Classic Trains Magazine 8-2016 PWM |
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| Ad in Trains Magazine 8-2016 PWM |
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 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 one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
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 email: finance@trolleymuseum.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, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
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 - 2020/2018 - 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, stained glass windows is 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.
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
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