1915 Portland-Lewiston Interurban waiting-station from
Morrison Hill in West Cumberland, Maine awaits 1906
Connecticut Company No. 1160 at Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine - May 2018 PWM
Planning for campus improvements at Seashore Trolley Museum turns into the implementation of the plans for campus improvements. This process is not new, it is ongoing, and has been for many years at the Museum. Museum members, individuals, and businesses alike, as well as grantors, continue their generous financial support that allows the Museum to make enhancements to program offerings, infrastructure upgrades, and its expansion, track work, and general campus improvements. Thank You!
One of the campus areas that will be benefitting from general upgrades in the coming months and years, is the Morrison Hill Station area on up towards the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop and northwesterly, parallel to the mainline from the treeline (where the Burma Shave signs are currently).
Upgrades started in the Morrison Hill Station area later in the 2017 operating season when the track department began building one-of-two new switches to replace the two existing switches in the shop yard and shop lead. In addition, Morrison Hill Station window sills, door sill, and some window trim were replaced and painted. The interior and exterior received a new coat of paint. The interior also had flooring installed. The first items for the new Narcissus/PLI display were installed. The remainder of the display was installed in May 2018.
As work on Morrison Hill Station carried on in the later summer and early fall of 2017, the idea of upgrading the existing border of the path from Morrison Hill Station to the shop began to evolve into a much larger vision to expand the pathway to include visitor respite space, garden areas, and to position visitor access to the area to include a visually appealing line of sight for photographing historic electric railway vehicles as they passed by on the mainline with stops at Morrison Hill Station. The improvements that are proposed will be phased in over a period of time. With the Museum's 80th anniversary year in 2019, and Maine's Bicentennial Celebration year in 2020, this area, with its enhancements, will become a visitor favorite.
Schematic of the aerial view of the area from Morrison
Hill Station parallel along Riverside Carhouse and
towards the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration
Shop. The existing conditions site plan schematic is by Kevin
Downing at KW Architects PC in Wells, ME
Downing at KW Architects PC in Wells, ME
This area is east of the mainline and north of
Morrison Hill Station will be one of the premium vantage points
for seeing and photographing historic electric railway vehicles.
View looking north from Morrison Hill Station. A new path
will allow visitors and photographers to walk to the east
from the existing path to access seating areas with fieldstone
and gardens. The new path will then meander north and west
crossing the existing path near the treeline, continuing
northerly and somewhat parallel to the mainline.
(Scroll down to see the landscape architect's design)
PWM May 2018
This area will become a prominent vantage point for relaxing
and for taking photos of historic electric railway vehicles
traveling along the Museum's Heritage line, such as seen here
as 1906 Connecticut Company No. 1160 passes by.
PWM May 2018
A panoramic view of the area that will be transformed in the
coming months and years into premium trolley viewing
vista and visitor respite.
Cobblestones as the border of the entrance area east of
Morrison Hill Station that approaches the Donald G. Curry
Town House Restoration Shop. Notice in the background
one-of-two new switches that the track department has built
to replace the existing switches in the shop lead/yard.
PWM May 2018
Cobblestones as the border of the entrance east of the
Morrison Hill Station approaches the Donald G. Curry Town
House Restoration Shop. PWM May 2018
Cobblestones as the border around Morrison Hill Station
replaced old railroad ties. PWM May 2018
New benches on the Morrison Hill Station platform feature
memorial plates of individuals that were passionate about
seeing the Narcissus restored, but sadly, will not be with us on
the day we celebrate the completed restoration.
PWM May 2018
Lee Johnson is memorialized in this second memorial plate
in the series dedicated to those who were passionate to see
the Narcissus restored. The first plate featured
Daniel Vallee. PWM May 2018
Saco, ME take a break from removing old railroad ties
and hauling cobblestones to the site.
PWM May 2018
PWM May 2018
Inside Morrison Hill Station, is a display of the
330-F series Western Electric magneto field
phone. The earlier series, 330-E was used
as emergency phones in the PLI vehicles. A
330-E has been acquired and will be installed
in the Narcissus. PWM May 2018
There is no better venue for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for
the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus
celebrating the completion of its restoration, then having the
Narcissus on the tracks, next to the PLI waiting station from
Morrison Hill in West Cumberland prior to making a mainline
trip while full of guests.
Draft concept design by Kevin Downing at
KW Architects PC in Wells, ME
1906 Connecticut Company No. 1160 pauses at
Morrison Hill Station before continuing its trip to the
visitor center loop. PWM May 2018
the path from Morrison Hill Station looking
north towards the Donald G. Curry
Town House Restoration Shop.
PWM May 2018
The final 30 or 40 cobblestones are in place
along the east side of the path nearest to the
restoration shop. PWM May 2018
A panoramic view from the path after cobblestones
first replaced railroad ties as the border. PWM May 2018
"Waiting For the Narcissus" by Maine artist,
Wade Zahares. Greeting cards are available in the Museum Store.
Wade Zahares painted the original artwork of the greeting
cards in July 2017 when the tiger lilies were in bloom.
PWM photo July 2017
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
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.