One of the many fabulous moments of the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days
opening gala for the weekend event. When, on Friday, July 21, fourteen
descendants of W. S. Libbey, and their spouses, gathered in front
of the number one end of one of the Libbey patriarch's prized possessions,
the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus, for a family photo
opp. Nine great-grandchildren, two great, great-grandchildren, and three
great, great, great-grandchildren of W. S. & Annie Libbey.
PWM
The weather for the Friday opening of the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days event at Seashore Trolley Museum was hot! Very hot. The conditions did shorten the length of time some of the guests were able to stay and enjoy the scheduled activities. However, the activities generated photo opportunities and memories of experiences that will be fondly recalled for years to come.
Registration began at 3 p.m. and shortly after 4, most of the guests boarded the 1901 open car trolley from Connecticut, No. 303, for the short ride to Morrison Hill Station. From the 1915 Portland-Lewiston way station, we walked up to the Town House Restoration Shop for a tour of the 1912 portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus. The Narcissus is undergoing restoration and is the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Teddy Roosevelt Days weekend.
Representing the New Gloucester Historical Society, guests
Tom Blake and Beverly Cadigan enjoy the short ride from
the visitor center to Morrison Hill Station. SB photo
The guests were initially in two separate groups. One group was first on the floor of the shop to hear Donald Curry discuss aspects of the Narcissus restoration, while the second group of visitors was on the visitor gallery listening to Randy Leclair, shop foreman, discuss aspects of the restoration. The second group would later join the first group for photo opportunities of the Narcissus from the shop floor.
Guests along the visitor gallery as Randy Leclair explains aspects of the
Narcissus restoration. PWM
Guests listen to Donald Curry explain aspects of the Narcissus restoration.
PWM
With his son, Michael Meldrum, standing close, Phil Meldrum sits
patiently waiting while the Museum's crack shop staff
members, John Melanson and Randy Leclair cut and create a
replacement wood wheel for the right front of Phil's wheelchair.
The plastic spokes of the original wheel shattered when it was caught
in the track embedded in the shop floor. The autographed "new"
replacement wood wheel made for one of the memorable
experiences for the guests of the opening gala :) PWM
Upon their return from the Narcissus tour, guests enjoyed light refreshments in the Museum's Exhibit Room while mingling and or meeting with other guests. Guests had opportunities to purchase raffle tickets, a variety of Theodore Roosevelt-related books signed by the respective authors, or to bid on more than 30 silent auction items.
Guests enjoy the light refreshments while perusing the various offerings
that will financially support the Narcissus project. PWM
The schedule of activities, following the meet and greet, opened with a welcome to the guests by the Narcissus project manager, Phil Morse :) The first of three presentations compared the timeline of the personal lives of two men that will forever be associated with Narcissus, Theodore Roosevelt, and W. S. Libbey. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914. W. S. Libbey was the enterprising builder of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI). Libbey was also personally involved in the decisions on the interior appointment and the naming of the luxurious interurban coaches.
The screen in the background has the first slide of the presentation by this
writer, "The Narcissus, Theodore Roosevelt, and W. s. Libbey: A Winning
Combination." PWM
The second presentation had Seal Cove Auto Museum's Director of Curatorial Affairs, Roberto Rodriguez, which was titled; "Stanley Steamer Speed Records and the K Semi-Racer." W. S. Libbey's original 1908 Stanley K 30-hp Semi-Racer is at Seal Cove Auto Museum. It is viewed as being the most valuable Stanley in the world!
Roberto Rodriguez, Director of Curatorial Affairs for the Seal Cove Auto
Museum in Seal Cove on Mount Desert Island, Maine. Notice directly
behind Roberto is the not-yet-unveiled original artwork by the Maine artist,
Wade Zahares (seated far right), of the Narcissus with Libbey in his
K Semi-Racer :) PWM
The final presentation was by Maine artist Wade Zahares. Wade was commissioned by an anonymous donor [ :) ] to create an original work depicting the Narcissus alongside W. S. Libbey driving his very rare 1908 Stanley K Semi-Racer. Wade spoke of his personal connections to the Libbey family. Wade introduced his mother, Lida Schott Zahares, and his aunt, Nancy Schott Plaisted. The Schott sisters grew up in Lewiston and were neighbors to grandchildren and great-grandchildren of W. S & Annie Libbey! How cool is that? This Narcissus has connected so many intertwining personal stories and Wade's is one more that adds to this rich, wonderful project.
Maine artist, Wade Zahares, addresses the guests just prior to the unveiling
of his original work which is just to his left. PWM
The moment we were all waiting for then arrived. Wade and Phil unveil Wade's amazing work,
"Fast Friends", to hardy applause! Then Wade discussed details and answered guests' questions about his beautiful work.
Maine artist, Wade Zahares, talks about his newly unveiled original work,
"Fast Friends".
The scheduled activities in the Exhibit Room wrapped up as the silent auction closed, raffle winners were announced, and guests had the opportunity to purchase prints of "Fast Friends".
Wade Zahares', "Fast Friends" prints are available for purchase.
Click Here for details by PWM
Wade Zahares' "Fast Friends" greeting cards are also available to purchase.
Click Here for details
The opening gala came to a close following a trolley car ride on the 1901 open car from Connecticut, No. 303, on a beautiful early evening where guests thoroughly enjoyed the experience of riding on a beautifully restored, historic "Breezer".
303 at Talbot Park prior to heading back to the visitor center.
Motorman Ed Dooks interacting with guests from the vestibule of 303.
The Friday gala was just the opening act for the 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days weekend event to benefit the Narcissus project. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Sherri Alcock. The winner of the poster, "The Roosevelt: An Intimate History" signed by Ken Burns, was John Grady. John then donated the poster back to the Narcissus project :) Thank you, John!
Saturday activities included children's book author, Suzanne Buzby Hersey,
signing and selling her books. Her big seller this day was her book,
"My Maine". PWM
The 2017 Teddy Roosevelt Days event is one of two special weekends
for members of the John Libby Family Association to visit the
Trolley Museum. W. S. Libbey is a descendant of John Libby.
John Libby settled in Scarborough, Maine in the early 1630s. The
next JLFA members' weekend at the Trolley Museum will be
during the JLFA's 113th reunion in September 2017 PWM
Chad Pinkham and his daughter Corinne are set up early in preparation for
visitors. This was the third year that they volunteered at the Teddy
Roosevelt Days event. PWM
The Narcissus project display for Teddy Roosevelt Days - PWM
"Fast Friends" prints are on sale on Saturday and Sunday of
the Teddy Roosevelt Days event - PWM
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).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 100 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-running 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. During 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 on a monthly basis. 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 in: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use the 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, stained glass windows are 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.
Patricia Pierce Erikson photo
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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