Theodore Roosevelt with Maine politicians - When, Where, & Why?
Left to Right: Bert (Albert) M. Fernald (Governor of Maine 1909-1911,
Maine U.S. Senator 1916-1926), Frederick Hale (Maine U.S. Senator
1917-1941, Hale served as US Senate Chairman of the Naval Committee),
Theodore Roosevelt, Charles B. Clarke (Mayor of Portland, ME 1918-1921),
Carl E. Milliken (Governor of Maine 1916-1921.
Many things are unknown concerning this image: What was the date that
this photo was taken? What was the event that brought these gentlemen
together to stage this photo? What was the location where this photo was
taken? Any details that a reader may have to help answer these questions
would be welcomed. Image courtesy of North Dakota Communications,
Dickinson, ND
New in 2022 - First Post for the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail June 16, 2022
First Look at Logo - "My Debt To Maine" - Logo - Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail 6-15-22
I have copies of a few newspaper clippings of info concerning TR's visits to Maine during his 1902, 1912, 1914, and 1916 visits to Maine. My research has been narrowed to the communities he visited and the transportation he used. I haven't focused any of my research on the political aspects of his visits. So, my personal archives helped to clarify some connections between TR and Mr. Hale, but not in answering any of the questions pertaining specifically to the image in question.
I was interested in helping Shanna, so, I visited and did research at the Brown Library at the Maine Historical Society on Congress Street in Portland, ME. With the help of one of the research librarians and Curator of Library Collections, Nicholas Noyes, I was able to see many documents and newspaper clippings concerning the gentlemen in the image. We could not find any specific clues that related directly to the image. One idea that was suggested, was looking into any archives that may be available through the Republican Party. I thoroughly enjoyed my four hours at Brown Library :)
Next, I sent an email to Wells State Representative, Robert Foley, with a request for help with the image, via any Republican Party or State archives. Bob is a family friend and has served Wells, with distinction, in the State House of Representatives. Bob was happy to forward the request to the State Historian. Here is the response from Earle Shettleworth, State Historian via Representative Foley:
Phil,
Please see the info below that we were able to get from the state's Historian. I hope it is helpful.
My Best,
Bob
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Shettleworth, Earle
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 10:24 AM
To: Knorr, David
Cc: Foley, Robert, Mohney, Kirk
Subject: RE: Theodore Roosevelt Photo
Dear David,
Kirk Mohney has asked me to respond to your inquiry about the Theodore Roosevelt photograph.
First, please let me say that I have never seen this photograph, and it is a wonderful image of the history of Maine politics.
I would interpret the picture to have been taken sometime between 1916 and 1919, the year of Roosevelt's death. I would suggest the political campaign of 1916 because Senators Fernald, Hale, and Governor Milliken were running for office that year. Hale and Milliken were not on a statewide ballot before 1916. Philip Morse's research indicates that Theodore Roosevelt was in Portland and Lewiston on August 31, 1916, a likely date for the photograph, considering that Maine's elections at the time were held in September. Checking the Portland and Lewiston newspapers for late August-early September 1916 may shed more light on the meeting of these five political figures. A case could also be made that the photograph was taken in 1918, because of the presence of Charles B. Clarke, who was mayor of Portland at the time, but this is less likely. Theodore Roosevelt did spend some time in Maine during the summer of 1918, but the purpose was personal. After the death of his son Quentin on July 14, 1918, in World War I, Roosevelt and his wife Edith sought privacy with relatives at the summer resort of Dark Harbor on Islesboro. At the end of their stay, the former president agreed to give a speech to the public on the island. I am not aware that he made any other appearances in Maine that year.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance in this manner.
Sincerely,
Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr.
Maine State Historian
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Shettleworth mentions that the photo could have been taken in 1918 due to the presence of Portland Mayor Charles B. Clarke. My research of Theodore Roosevelt did have a trip to Portland for political reasons on March 28, 1918. Maybe this is the date the photo was taken? I will continue my research and focus on the March 28, 1918, visit. I'll update via a blog post. In the meantime, I am asking all of the readers if you have any info on this image, please help me out with the details and send me a message through the blog or directly to me via my email: p.morse31@gmail.com
Thank you to all that have helped out so far :)
UPDATE: January 6, 2017 -
Today I traveled to the Portland Public Library to use the microfilm available in the Portland Room.
I zeroed in on Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Portland (ME) on Thursday, March 28, 1918. With assistance from a staff member, Tom, the first reel loaded into the reader was from the Argus newspaper. Sure enough, TR came to Portland on the 28th to attend and give a speech at the Republican State Convention. The center for the activities was the Falmouth Hotel in Portland. The picture in question (above) was not printed on the paper that day.
The second reel loaded into the reader was the Portland Express-Advertiser. One of the articles (see below) clearly states that all five gentlemen in the photo above dined together. The photo above was not in the paper. So, I'm feeling quite confident that the photo above was taken in Portland, ME at the Falmouth Hotel on March 28, 1918 :)
Falmouth Hotel in Portland was located at 212 Middle Street
and hosted many large functions.
PWM postcard
All five gentlemen in the photograph are listed above as having lunch
together at the Falmouth Hotel on March 28, 1918.
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: 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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