The Narcissus early in August 2016
Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
The restoration of this National Register of Historic Places gem is
underway at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
The Narcissus 1912 Project Blog will have its first full calendar year under its belt as 2016 transitions to 2017. The blog posts are created to reach out to a large number of folks through the power of social media to introduce them to the Narcissus Restoration Project. The Narcissus is a luxury, high-speed, wooden electric interurban. The Narcissus was built in 1912 in Laconia, NH, and operated on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) in Maine, between Portland and Lewiston, from 1914 into 1933. The blog posts appeal to folks with an interest in the restoration process of a historic electric wooden interurban, Theodore Roosevelt and his connection to Maine, to folks generally interested in regional/local history, as well as those folks within the greater railway community. Hopefully, these posts will help readers take action and help support the Narcissus financially, as it undergoes a complete restoration over the next few years at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. For information on how to do so, scroll down the page to see the donation options. All donations are currently being matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $40,000 through a generous matching grant challenge from the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation in La Canada, CA. We are more than halfway to raising the initial $40,000. Please help us meet our goal by making a Donation Today!
Long-time STM member, Mark Forman, snapped this image of Narcissus
project manager, Phil Morse (L), and Lead restoration technician,
Donald Curry, as they discuss the project while standing in front of the
historic Portland-Lewiston Interurban icon, Narcissus.
July 7, 2016. photo courtesy of Mark Forman
Click Here: For Project Manager Phil Morse's 2016
Summary of Narcissus Outreach Adventures!
Click Here: For Project Manager Phil Morse's 2016
Summary of Narcissus Outreach Adventures!
Narcissus restoration work in 2016 started with removing the poplar exterior arches that hold the ornate leaded stained glass in their mahogany sash (frame). Throughout the following months, the arches would have their ends expertly replaced using vintage recycled poplar located in Akron, PA Three complete sets of arches would also be made from the vintage wood. Four blog posts would follow Museum volunteer, Lary Shaffer, as he works on the arches. The restored arches are beautiful.
The word beautiful is often used to describe the Narcissus, but also many, many pieces and portions of this gem.
Volunteer, Lary Shaffer removing a screw that holds one-half
of the original exterior arches. PWM
Left: One of only two original ends that remained and could be restored.Right: At the top of each arch half, an extension branches out.
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Lary Shaffer working on the exterior poplar arches
Test-fit of first restored arch set
Set of vertical sheathing that fit in the "corners"
above each exterior poplar exterior arc.
The tiniest pieces are tucked into the corner.
Nearly all of the exterior of the Narcissus are wooden components that are what we today generally call "vintage" or "old growth" poplar. The Narcissus and its three sisters, Laconia (NH) Car Company-built, wooden interurbans were constructed in 1912. Poplar was a lightweight, inexpensive wood, that was readily available in the local market. We are very fortunate to have Rousseau Reclaimed, a local supplier of recycled lumber, be able to supply the vintage poplar to us in so many different widths and thicknesses.
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| Vintage poplar from a bank barn in Akron, PA, stacked in the yard of Rousseau Reclaimed. This poplar wood would be milled for many, many different-sized boards for use in the restoration of the Narcissus. |
Volunteers Jim Mackell and Dick Avy mill
vintage poplar for some needed replacement
roof boards for the Narcissus.
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| Volunteer Jim Mackell milling vintage poplar for short extensions to replace some missing from the exterior arches on the Narcissus. |
Ash is another wood that is used in the roof of the Narcissus. Many of the replacement wooden ribs of the main roof and the vestibule end roofs needed to be steamed and then bent into a specific curve. The rib would need to be held in place for weeks while drying so that once released from its retainer, the rib would hold its proper curve before installation.
Throughout the late winter and into spring, Museum volunteer Jim Mackell worked on restoring original passenger windows. All remaining original brass components for these windows are used.
Left: Original passenger windows with mahogany sash (frames).
Right: Jim Mackell adding a brass screw to hold the wood glazing in place on a restored window.
Left: Newly restored original passenger window with original brass components in place.
Right: Restored original stained glass "eyebrow" in its original mahogany sash being held in place by the restored poplar exterior arched frame. Two restored original passenger windows, all in place on the right side of the number one end smoking compartment for the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days fundraising event to benefit the Narcissus.
When the Narcissus was the Vallee's summer camp at Sabattus Pond (late 1930s-1969) several mahogany panels in the vestibules were painted white. These and other painted components were stripped during the winter. All panels, window sash, left and right passenger doors. The train door was later temporarily installed in the number one end vestibule for the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days fundraising event to benefit the Narcissus.
Many of the restored mahogany components were temporarily
in place on the right side of the smoking compartment so
guests like Dan and Rose Vallee could have a special photo
taken during the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt fundraising
event to benefit the Narcissus.
While work on the exterior components continues throughout the winter, planning, and research for future work on the interior take place as well (Ceiling panel decorations and floor tile). The ceiling panels of the Narcissus are veneer, made of layers of birch. The panels were originally painted a soft green and included intricate gold leaf lines and fleur-de-lis. These panels were painted over with white in later years and were in very poor condition. The delicate gold leaf lines and fleur-de-lis can be seen in the image below (left). Recording these was a priority.
The center aisle and the floor in the smoking compartment have some remnants remaining of the interesting interlocking rubber tiles. Research turned up this information that will be very helpful as we prepare a plan to replace tiles.
Meanwhile, the beat goes on with work on the exterior components...
The original poplar exterior verticalsheathing for the number one end dasher
was also receiving attention over the winter.
Left: Lead Restoration Technician,
Donald Curry, applying a fine filler that
will be sanded before a final coat of primer.
Right: The number one end vestibule
received a lot of attention in 2016. This image is from earlier in the year.
Original sheathing for the number one dasher
drying after an application of the final coat of
Pullman Green.
Left: Thornton Academy (Saco, Maine) Residential Life Program student sandblastingRight: Components sandblasted and primed
Right Below Center: Vertical iron through-rods
were removed from the clerestory roof. The lower ends of each were severely rusted and were cut off. A new section was added to the sandblasted, primed, and painted rods before being reinstalled.
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| Clerestory roof lag-bolt, carriage bolts, w/washer & nuts were sandblasted, primed, painted, and reused. Iron roof ribs were wire brushed and rust inhibitor paint was applied. |
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One of the challenges we had over the winter months was the fact that the Narcissus was tucked into the easternmost track of the former "Quonset Hut" section of the Town House Restoration Shop. The ceiling is much lower in that portion of the shop. The 600-volt overhead wire is quite close to the roof of the big interurban, which restricted roof work from happening until the car could be moved into the larger portion of the shop. This could not happen pending anticipated roof work. So, we were relegated to more peripheral component work. The right-side clerestory window openings and roof work did take place during the late winter and into the spring.
Turnbuckles were added to strengthen the support system of
Town House Restoration Shop's main roof. The new roof was
fully installed by late May 2016. Electrical upgrades and
new LED lights completed the roof work in late September
2016.
Right-side clerestory window openings and roof received a lot of attention during the late winter into the late springRight: Donald Curry
Left: Once all the wooden clerestory roof ribs were removed, the iron ribs were wire brushed and painted with rust inhibitor paint, then the copper flashing was removed. Right: Faceboards removed, paint removed, sanded, primed, painted, and will be reinstalled.
Right: Right-side clerestory roof with most of the wooden roof ribs removed, but before the copper flashing was removed. Also, before the ceiling panels were removed from the interior.
Donald Curry preparing to remove the right-side
clerestory ceiling panels.
The three sections of the heavy letter boards were removed from the right side, repairs made, primed, and reattached.
Below: All the right-side clerestory wooden ribs were removed, repaired, primed, and reinstalled.
Tucked into the shop area affectionately called the "Quonset hut" extension,
the right side of the Narcissus is seen with the letter boards removed. Sanding
the ends of the ash roof ribs and the face and interiors of the clerestory
window openings took a lot of time, patience, and good ole elbow grease.
Ah yes, sanding the clerestory window openings and surrounding areas.....it all comes back to me now! Thankfully, that work is but a not-so-fond memory :) Cleaning, sanding, and stripping the area and the removed cover boards (see images below the below images :) was one of the many challenging jobs at this stage of the exterior work.
Then there was a need to reward one's self by test-fitting the restored clerestory stained glass windows (in their mahogany sash) to their respective openings. Photo ops...these are the little things that help us refuel our mojo and inspire us to move on to the next challenge :)
Next moved on to repair each of the clerestory openings' poplar filler boards. Every single one of them had failed at the narrowest part of the arch at the iron roof rib where the copper flashing is nailed into the board. Good grief! You may notice that on the inside of an opening, there is a break in the mahogany cover board in the same place on the inside! We will deal with those at a later date. Making replacement pieces for the exterior from the vintage poplar acquired from Akorn, PA via Rousseau Reclaimed, took some patience and finesse.
All right-side clerestory window openings and surrounding
areas were repaired, sanded, and in some cases, primed. Letterboards
and clerestory roof ribs are all repaired, primed and or
stained, and reinstalled.
Several repaired exterior poplar arches and short extensions
ready for primer. Several right-side clerestory cover pieces
stripped, repaired, and primed.
Working on the left-side clerestory window opening & surrounding area was next.
The beautifully restored (Thank you, Deb, at Sundancer Stained Glass, Saco,
ME) original leaded stained glass were each test-fit in their openings.
Next up.... remove all the roof boards.
The roof ribs were removed. Each was assessed for need of repairs, and replacement, and measured for the degree of curve. Each of the thirteen ash roof ribs that will be made for replacements will be steamed and formed to fit before being installed.
Early this fall, Donald Curry and volunteer Ernie Eaton researched various styles of Heywood-Wakefield seats, in preparation for developing a budget for use with grant applications. Twenty reversible, Mohair plush, walk-over seats, plus seats for the smoking compartment and next to the bulkhead will need to be made from scratch.
Now The Heavy Lifting Begins
Preparation began in advance for separating the body of the Narcissus from its trucks (the wheels, axles, and motors assembly). The actual separation will take place early in 2017.
Donald Curry is the lead restoration technician working on the Narcissus in the Town House Restoration Shop at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME. Donald has been on staff at the Museum since 1954. Donald has been the author of hundreds of "Shop Reports" over those many years. Here is (with some edits from this blogster) an excerpt from one of his shop reports that begins to describe the serious corrosion problems discovered when inspecting the side sills on the Narcissus, referred to here as #14:
- Steel bars (channels and I-beams in #14's case) are often used to reinforce the long wood beams as well as give an easy means of fastening hardware. We have found that even on rot-resistant woods such as the southern yellow pine (SYP) they used on #14, the moisture does its dirty work, with rust forming in the interface between wood and steel. (It should be noted that if the wood-to-metal fit is good, with surfaces given a good coat of paint, there is little corrosion or rot) One of #14's heavy angle-iron bumpers came to us in excellent condition, but the other, because of its orientation on the car while in Sabattus (ME), has large holes and thin spots that will require some work [For those of you who always wanted to know: an exfoliation is a form of intergranular corrosion that involves the selective attack of metal at or adjacent to grain boundaries. In this process, corrosion products are formed, forcing metal to move away from the body of the material and giving rise to a layered appearance. Exfoliation is also known as layer corrosion or lamellar corrosion.]
Some significant corrosion problems weren't discovered until recently as they were hidden under other frame members, usually wood-forming the side sills. These 40-foot SYP beams are extremely important because, with the help of trusses, they tie the whole floor area together. As we looked down into the area beside the channel, we saw some chunks of rust. As Ernie Eaton continued to work on the channel with thin punches and eventually the pneumatic needle scaler, we discovered the magnitude of the problem. Major portions of the exfoliated steel had built up, stretching the 5/8" bolts holding the wood beams to the channel and causing a wide gap. Finally, after an hour of strenuous chipping, he dug out most of the pitting formed from exfoliated steel and the flat side of the channel, showing depressions of up to 1/4". Fortunately, we have a good supply of 5/*" machine bolts all sandblasted, primed, and painted.
What to do now? First, we made room inside the body along the entire 40-foot stretch of the sills. This gave us more room to work to knock off as much of the rust as possible along the entire length of the channel.
In addition, each of the 102" metal rods that pass through one side sill all the through to the opposite side sill, must all be replaced as well.
The replacement channel (C8-2.37" x 40') will each cost $350 for a total of $700.
The removal of the channel from the side sills will be a very complicated maneuver. In preparation for developing the steps needed to remove the channel and bolster, Ernie Eaton has done a thorough analysis of the relationship between the bolster, the side sills, and the floor of the body. To do this work safely, the body of #14 will need to raise a few inches to clear the way for the Baldwin trucks and the air compressor to be moved. Once the truck assemblies and the compressor are cleared from under the body, the body will be lowered to rest on supports that will leave about 3.5' of clearance to work under the body of #14.
We have been doing a lot of research on the 40 ft. long side sills, as to what goes into repairing the wood and replacing the steel channels. In his curatorial report on them, Ernie Eaton did several calculations to be certain of no collapse. This week we started gathering the materials needed
There you have the summary for much of the work done in 2016. Thank you Thornton Academy Residential Life students for all your help in 2016!Thank you to all the staff and volunteers that participated in 2016 :) And also a big thank you to all the folks and organizations that contributed financially to the project in 2016!!
Click Here: For Project Manager Phil Morse's 2016 Summary of Narcissus Outreach Adventures!
Theodore Roosevelt on the Narcissus when addressing
Volunteer Ernie Eaton working on removing materials
on the right side of the Narcissus in preparation for the "big lift."
We have been doing a lot of research on the 40 ft. long side sills, as to what goes into repairing the wood and replacing the steel channels. In his curatorial report on them, Ernie Eaton did several calculations to be certain of no collapse. This week we started gathering the materials needed
to support the car while much of its structural integrity is being removed. First were the five - five in. heavy structural steel tubes, which we located, thanks to the efforts of Charlie Publicover and Chuck Griffith’s running the Pettibone to bring them from out on the property, back into the Shop.
There you have the summary for much of the work done in 2016. Thank you Thornton Academy Residential Life students for all your help in 2016!Thank you to all the staff and volunteers that participated in 2016 :) And also a big thank you to all the folks and organizations that contributed financially to the project in 2016!!
Click Here: For Project Manager Phil Morse's 2016 Summary of Narcissus Outreach Adventures!
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.
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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: 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
