The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus
in Seashore Trolley Museum's Donald G Curry Town House
Restoration Shop in Kennebunkport, Maine on
October 23, 2017. PWM
Restoration Shop in Kennebunkport, Maine on
October 23, 2017. PWM
Very Exciting News to Announce!
Donations, lots of donations, were rolling in during the past several weeks. Whether it was a single dollar, change from a pocket, a five, ten, or twenty dollar bill; checks for ten, twenty-five, a hundred, and more, children and adults alike were excited and determined to help the Narcissus meet the goal.
The goal.
The 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation in La Canada, CA first provided a matching grant opportunity to benefit the Narcissus in the fall of 2014. We had 90 days to raise the initial $10,000. Once raised, donations would be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to the full $10K. We were successful that fall in raising the full $10K in ninety days. The largest portion was donated by individuals that were either staff members or alum from my employer in Saco, Maine, Thornton Academy.
In the months following the successful matching grant campaign, I would occasionally send project progress updates to the secretary of the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation. Later in the autumn of 2015, the Foundation secretary called me to discuss the progress of the Narcissus Project. That conversation led to a discussion about other future plans pertaining to the Museum. Ultimately, from that conversation, two separate matching grant opportunities were offered to the Museum. Starting early in 2016, the $40,000 matching grant to benefit the Narcissus was kicked off, followed later by a $75,000 matching grant challenge to benefit Seashore Trolley Museum's Preserve & Protect capital campaign. The initial goal for both of these very generous and important fundraising opportunities for the Museum has now been met!
Once our paperwork is prepared, sent to the Foundation, and verified, they will issue a check to the Museum for the Narcissus, most likely later in November (2017), and separate press releases acknowledging the successful completion of both campaigns will soon after be distributed by the Museum and by the Foundation.
As the project manager for the Narcissus project, it is very exciting and humbling, to receive so many donations from so many different people, families, non-profit organizations, and grantors with the common goal of helping to raise the money necessary to continue the work to restore the only surviving Portland-Lewiston Interurban, the Narcissus.
Thank you to everyone that has helped Narcissus to this point. We still need to continue to collectively spread the word about the project. I encourage you to invite others to join the effort to bring this beauty back into being the majestic, elegant, operating representative of Maine's premier electric interurban railway.
One way to explain what the Narcissus project is about is by sharing the posts from the Narcissus project blog: www.narcissus1912.blogspot.com
Lots of folks find the posts very interesting.
In October (2017), the blog surpassed 100,000 total page views! On October 25th alone, there were just under 1,800 page views.
The blog is a great way to spread the news of Narcissus.
Let's keep it going :)
Planning for end-of-year gifts?
Consider a colorful print of your fav, Narcissus?
Don't procrastinate. Many prints are in limited quantities and will sell out quickly.
First-Come-First-Serve. Don't miss out on your first choice!
Free Shipping on all orders placed with me before November 30, 2017
A signed print by Maine artist, Wade Zahares' fabulous artwork, "Fast Friends", featuring the Narcissus and a box of ten greeting cards are a perfect choice.
Signed prints and boxes of ten greeting cards are now available to purchase. 100% of the proceeds from these sales will benefit the Narcissus project.
A print of "Fast Friends" by Maine artist, Wade Zahares. PWM
Signed Limited Edition Prints:
20" x 30" - numbered through 200 - $400 (free shipping/rolled in tube)
13" x 20" - numbered through 800 - $185 (free shipping/rolled in tube)
Signed Prints:
10" x 15" - not numbered - $125 (free shipping/rolled in tube)
Free Shipping on all orders placed with me before November 30, 2017
To order prints to be mailed - email p.morse31@gmail.com
Greeting card of "Fast Friends" by Maine artist, Wade Zahares.
Greeting Cards:
Box of Ten (10) with envelopes - 4"x 6" - blank inside - $20
(Free shipping via USPS)
Free Shipping on all orders placed with me before November 30, 2017
To order Greeting Cards - email p.morse31@gmail.com
All proceeds from the sale of these items will be added to the Narcissus fund 816-A, to help with the costs associated with restoring the interior of the Narcissus.
What's next for Narcissus? 2017/2018
Restoration work will continue on the exterior of the Narcissus.
The image above was taken 10.23.17 PWM All roof ribs were removed, repaired,
primed, and replaced. Ten needed to be replaced. The left side has hadits end boards secured to the roof rib tenons. The right side end boards are
nearly all in place.
Donald Curry working on securing the right end boards to
the roof ribs tenons. 10.23.17 PWM
Major side sill and bolster work is in the early stage. The bolsters will be
removed, assessed, repaired, pieces replaced as necessary, primed, painted,
and then reinstalled. Side sills and their attached channel steel lengths
will be removed, assessed, repaired, and replaced as necessary.
10-23-2017 PWM
will be removed, assessed, repaired, and replaced as necessary.
10-23-2017 PWM
Morrison Hill Station
In recent weeks, the petite 1915 Portland-Lewiston Interurban waiting station, originally located in West Cumberland (ME) has had; window and door sills replaced and painted. Window trim boards replaced and painted, metal roof edges repaired and painted, the west-facing roof panels sanded and painted, exterior walls (yellow) north, south, and west repainted, and the tiny wooden electrical box that feeds the 600 volts (DC) lights of the building fully rebuilt, primed and painted, and many interior upgrades. All these improvements (and a few more to follow) are in preparation for the building to be the home of an exhibit next season about the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
This picture was taken on October 23, 2017. 1915 PLI Morrison Hill Station
looks great with fresh upgrades and paint. PWM
looks great with fresh upgrades and paint. PWM
Inside Morrison Hill Station. New floating oak flooring, newly painted
kickboards, and new kickboards and trim are painted and awaitinginstallation. 10.20.17 PWM
Interior of Narcissus
Patented interlocking rubber floor tiles in the smoking compartment
and down the center aisle of the passenger body floor of the Narcissus.We will be seeking contractors and prices on making new tiles, as
well as seeking solutions to properly repair the tiles for possible reuse.
10-23-2017 PWM
Seats for the Narcissus. We will make all 20 walk-overs, and mohair plush
upholstered seats from scratch. We have prices from two foundries
to cast all the various metal components. Funding the cost to
cast original patterns and then the various components is the
highest priority for fundraising now. Image of Interior of 1912,
Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 16, Clematis. This
image has the viewer peering down the aisle towards the number
image has the viewer peering down the aisle towards the number
two end of the Clematis. Image from Seashore Trolley Museum
One of the newly restored (5 of 8 completed so far)
mahogany sash windows that are contained in the two
bulkheads. Additional interior work will include rewiring
the Narcissus. When the body was the Vallee summer home,
120-volt household wiring was added and much of the original
wire was removed. October 2017 image 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-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. 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 on a monthly basis. 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.
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
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