March 22, 2018
Tony Castro, a gold leaf specialist, points
to gold leaf from the final center ceiling panel
from the no. 2 end of the Narcissus during his
inspection. Narcissus restoration team member
Ernie Eaton is on the right. Donald Curry with
a camera in hand is standing in the background.
PWM
Amy Cole Ives, President at Sutherland
Conservation & Consulting in Augusta, ME
using a high-tech tool to inspect the gold
leaf fleur-de-lis in the corner of the ceiling
panel. PWM
A test sample of the dark Pullman green
will be the exterior color of the Narcissus.
This sample was created from the results of the
at Sutherland Conservation & Consulting.
The dark primer was followed by the color coat.
During their operating years on the PLI, the
interurbans were sometimes called the "black"
cars. The color is definitely shiny.
Depending on the light, the color changes from
nearly black to olive green. PWM
All images are the same sample piece. PWM
Shiny. PWM
Olive green. still the same sample
board. PWM
Natural light with snow as the background.
Looks shiny black to me. PWM
Tony inspects the gold leaf fleur-de-lis.
PWM
These ceiling panels were originally painted
a Nile green, then the gold leaf was applied.
When a summer camp, the ceiling panels
were painted white. The gold leaf has worked
its way to the surface over the years. Here you
can see the fleur-de-lis in the corner.
PWM
Another image of the gold leaf fleur-de-lis. The petals seem
to be similar to those of a poppy. There seem to be light
"penciled-like" drawings in places. Tony mentioned this
was common practice to help accentuate a ribbon-like effect.
PWM
Tony is in search of the faded gold leaf lettering on
the exterior letterboard
of the Narcissus. PWM
Tony measured the original "N" in the gold leaf lettering
of the wooden interurban, Narcissus. PWM
Tony was able to see and measure the original "N" and "T"
of the word Interurban as seen here in an image of the
Narcissus. All the exterior letters and numbers were
done with gold leaf. STM Collection
This is one of the original destination roll signs from
the sister PLI coach to Narcissus, No. 10, Arbutus. The sign
is in the PLI collection of the Gray Historical Society.
We hope to gain permission to borrow this sign to use as a
template to make two reproduction signs to be used on
the Narcissus. The lettering will be done in gold leaf on
the Narcissus signs, as was original. The above
Arbutus sign was a gift to the Historical Society
from Gertrude Libbey Anthony, daughter of the builder
of the PLI, W. S. Libbey. PWM
March 21, 2018
Quality mahogany was acquired for use in making the sash for
the large stained glass "eyebrows". One eyebrow is located
above each pair of passenger windows. These boards are
20-inches wide and 19-inch wide and both are 4-quarters
in thickness. PWM
A template was used to outline the half arches.
Each arched sash has a left and right piece
that connects at the top of the arch and each
end connects to the horizontal crosspiece
at the base. PWM
This work took place at Lary Shaffer's Scarborough Marsh
Fine Furniture woodworking shop. Lary is seen here cutting
to separate a section of the board of the outlined pieces. PWM
Lary takes the section and then cuts away the
individual half-arch sections. PWM
Different view. PWM
Once the mahogany pieces are cut they must
sit for several days. The fibers in the wood
have to settle after the cut. PWM
Finished for the day. Original eyebrow with its
ornate leaded stained glass in its mahogany sash
in front of the newly cut halves, with a stack of
jigs behind the pile. Those jigs will be used to
guide each half to make the various cuts for the
contours and grooves to hold the glass.
LS photo
During the 2016 Teddy Roosevelt Days Event, the windows were in
place temporarily during the event so visitors could see
what was ahead for beauty. PWM
April 19, 2018.
About a month after the eyebrow sash
was first cut from the large mahogany boards, the half-arches
need their sides shaved to be flat. Each piece has a
different amount of warp to it that needs to be removed to
have the surface reach where its whole face is flat. If a
particular board is so warped that the side isn't flat until the
board width is too thin to use. Lary uses a caliper to measure
after each pass through the jointer or the planer. PWM
Initially eyeing where the high point is on the board. PWM
Lary passes the board through the jointer to work one side
towards being flat. It may take another pass or two. And the jointer
can be adjusted to take a little less wood or a little more.
PWM
Lary uses the caliper to see how much more wood he has
to remove to make the side flat before the board is too
thin to use. PWM
Once the first side is flat, the board will be passed through
the planer. It pulls the board through on its own. PWM
Lary measures the thickness of the board after passing it
through the planer. PWM
Lary points to where the planer still has not taken
away a section of rough fibers. One side is still not flat and
the calipers measure the board is now too thin to use.
This process will be repeated with each board. PWM
Lary places the three components that make a complete
eyebrow sash on a template of a complete window.
PWM
Examples of the various ornate leaded stained glass in their
mahogany sash. There are a total of forty leaded stained
glass windows in the Narcissus. PWM
The goal for recent grant applications has been for
tasks and materials for completing the interior work in
The Narcissus. These springs are the two styles needed for
the passenger seat backs and bottoms. Finding a source to
make these springs, one type, in particular, was not as easy
as one might think it would be. 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: 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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