Employee Badge No. 233 belonged to Joseph R. Levigne.
Joe was a motorman for the Portland-Lewiston Interurban
and worked out of the Portland, Maine, station.
Androscoggin Electric Company became the owner of the
PLI in 1914 following the unexpected death of the
builder of the line, W. S. Libbey. Central Maine Power
acquired the Androscoggin Electric Company in 1920,
thereby becoming the owner of the PLI and the
Narcissus. Among the collection of the Gray
Historical Society. PWM
Research for materials related to the Portland-Lewiston Interurban took place over the past couple of weeks. This post will share some of the terrific exciting finds during the search for materials for developing the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Finding materials that may help in telling this amazing Narcissus story with so many enduring storylines is paramount. The National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus is a most worthy conduit for connecting the general public to the various intriguing storylines.
Organizations that were visited on-site, online, or responded to research inquiries in the past couple of weeks included; City Halls in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn. Historical societies include; Androscoggin, Gray, Cumberland, New England Electric Railway, and Maine Historical. Other organizations included; Bates College Muskie Archives, Osher Map Library, Maine Archives & Museum, Cumberland County and Androscoggin County Registry of Deeds, and Penobscot Marine Museum.
It became apparent that there are railway collections (horse-drawn and electric) in Maine that could be resources for telling the very rich and colorful history of Maine's railway history. So, with Maine's Bicentennial year nearly upon us (2020), I've expanded the research to include identifying railway materials that will help tell more of the story of the importance of the railway industry in Maine.
Below is really just a glimpse of the wonderful findings in the past two weeks. We start by finding out how a former motorman of the PLI, Forest Greenwood, has popped up again and this time sharing with us his amazing gifts of donations from 1964 to the Gray Historical Society. More time will be spent in Gray to expand the search for PLI-related materials.
In 1964, Forest Greenwood donated several PLI-related
items to the Gray Historical Society as seen in this donation
card with the list of items. Forest was a motorman for the
PLI and worked out of the Lewiston, Maine station. PWM
James and Robert Greenwood, sons of Forest Greenwood,
attended a public presentation about the PLI held at the
Lewiston (Maine) Public Library in April 2018.
Forest would become one of the early motorman volunteers
attended a public presentation about the PLI held at the
Lewiston (Maine) Public Library in April 2018.
Forest would become one of the early motorman volunteers
at Seashore Trolley Museum. James is holding his father's
trolley museum motorman hat with member number 301
hat badge. Robert is holding his father's trolley museum
ticket punch and a strip of A & K Railway tickets.
trolley museum motorman hat with member number 301
hat badge. Robert is holding his father's trolley museum
ticket punch and a strip of A & K Railway tickets.
Photo courtesy of John Mercurio
The image above is from the June 28, 1941 reunion of former PLI employees.
Forest Greenwood is standing near the middle, between two fellas wearing
white shirts and ties. Joseph Levigne is seated second from the left. There are
four reunions specifically cataloged on several pages, of a nearly
100-page PLI Employee Scrapbook; June 29, 1938, June 29, 1939,
June 30, 1940, and June 28, 1941. All four of the reunions were
held in Gray, ME. The 1938 and 1941 reunions were held at the
Newbegin Hall. The 1939 and 1940 reunions were held at
the Pennell Institute Gymnasium. It is noted in newspaper articles
of the times, that combined, the total of former PLI employees and their
family members that attended each of the reunions in 1939 and 1940, well
exceeded 100 in attendance. The PLI operated a very short distance
behind the Newbegin Hall seen behind the group in this image.
Image from the PLI employees' Scrapbook in the O.R. Cummings
Collection at the Library of Seashore Trolley Museum. PWM
The dedication plaque (1937)on the front of the Newbegin
Hall in August 2018. PWM
Newbegin Hall in Gray, Maine in August 2018. The PLI
operated through the backyard seen here on the left. PWM
Forest Greenwood's PLI Rules &
Regulation Handbook. Among the
collections at Gray Historical Society.
PWM
Forest Greenwood's PLI Rules & Regulation Handbook.
Among the collections at Gray Historical Society. PWM
Forest Greenwood's PLI Rules & Regulation Handbook.
Among the collections at Gray Historical Society. PWM
Merit System of Discipline in
Forest Greenwood's PLI Rules &
Regulation Handbook. Among the
collections at Gray Historical Society.
PWM
Merit System of Discipline in
Forest Greenwood's PLI Rules &
Regulation Handbook. Among the
collections at Gray Historical Society.
PWM
Merit System of Discipline in
Forest Greenwood's PLI Rules &
Regulation Handbook. Among the
collections at Gray Historical Society.
PWM
Forest Greenwood's PLI Daily Inspection
Book. Among the collections at Gray
Historical Society. PWM
These original brass pieces from one of the
PLI interurbans will be very helpful to us
in restoring the Narcissus. We will borrow
these, and create a 3-D drawing with exact
specifications that will then be used to
cast the brass components for use on
the Narcissus. Where do they belong?
See below :) Among the collections
at Gray Historical Society.
PWM
Here is an image of the Gladiolus. One of the three
was built in 1912 for the PLI. To enter the coach, one
uses the steps. To assist passengers in stepping
up into the doorway, there are vertical wooden
handrails on each side of the doorway. These
handrails are secured to the body of the coach
using the brass components that we need to
reproduce for use on the Narcissus. Image from
O.R. Cummings Collection at the
Library of Seashore Trolley Museum.
The original "key" for operating the Narcissus! This lever
is positioned in the keyway of the controller in the
neutral position and depending on whether the motorman
needs to move the coach forward or reverse the key lever
is moved into the forward position or the reverse position
before activating the electrical current by moving the
controller handle.
The original controller handle from the Arbutus. Another
sister coach to the Narcissus. This was donated to the
Gray Historical Society by Gertrude Libbey Anthony, daughter
of W. S. Libbey, the builder of the PLI. Among the collections
at Gray Historical Society. PWM
The original brake handle from the Arbutus. Another sister
coach to the Narcissus. This was donated to the
Gray Historical Society by Gertrude Libbey Anthony, daughter
of W. S. Libbey, the builder of the PLI. Among the collections
at Gray Historical Society. PWM
PLI conductor's ticket punch. Among the collections
at Gray Historical Society. PWM
Inside an empty packet of school tickets for the
PLI. Among the collections at Gray Historical
Society. PWM
Cover of school ticket packet for the PLI.
Among the collections at Gray Historical Society.
PWM
While I was in the Lewiston/Auburn area on Wednesday, August 15, I stopped at Orphan Annie's Antiques on Court Street in Auburn. It's located across the street from the Androscoggin Historical Society and the Registry of Deeds. The owner Danny is greatly interested in the Narcissus project and has now become a resource for me in finding items that will be useful in using in our interpretation plans for exhibits and displays. Thank you, Danny!
Beautiful Presidential Campaign button from
the 1900 winning ticket of William McKinley
and his Vice-Presidential candidate, Theodore
Roosevelt. McKinley was assassinated in
Buffalo, NY in September
1901, which led to Theodore Roosevelt becoming
President of the United States. Theodore
on August 18, 1914. PWM
Inside the back of 1900 McKinley/Roosevelt
Presidential Campaign button.
PWM
A newspaper story about the life of W. S. Libbey. W. S.
Libbeys' house seen in the center photograph is located in
Lewiston. See the image below. The newspaper is among the
collection of the Androscoggin Historical Society. PWM
The former family home of W. S. Libbey in Lewiston
was seen in August 2018. PWM
1909 Deed showing the sale of a strip of property
to the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad with
stipulations; including that if
the railroad was not completed or if it were
to be discontinued in the future, the property
would revert back to the original grantor or
his heirs. PWM
Colley Hill Road in Gray, ME. The PLI crossed
the road, up the hill, as seen in this
August 2018 image. It was in this general area
where on August 18, 1914, a newspaper
accounting attests to the Narcissus traveling
at a very slow pace heading downhill around a
curve approaching the Gray station, a young girl
was standing next to the tracks with her mother
in hopes of catching a glimpse and delivering
a gift to a special passenger on the Narcissus.
As the Narcissus slowly passed by,
the young girl tossed a bouquet of sweet peas
into the open doorway of the Narcissus.
TR bolted from his seat to the doorway and
grasped up the bouquet in his hand as
the Narcissus continued on to the station.
This accounting generated interest in
creating a book that will expand on the
life of a young girl growing up in Gray
during the years of the PLI. PWM
A deed Showing that Charles Colley (Colley Hill above image)
sold a strip of land to the Portland, Gray & Lewiston
Railroad (which would become the PLI). The strip
referred to would be in the image above where the PLI
would cross over Colley Hill Road. PWM
Conductors and motormen of the Lewiston Bath & Brunswick
Street Railway from 1900. The builder of this line was
State. The newspaper clipping is among the
collection of the Androscoggin Historical Society PWM
Conductors and motormen of the Lewiston Augusta, &
The newspaper clipping is among the
collection of the Androscoggin Historical Society PWM
To the right, in the center of this image at Monument Square in
Portland is where Middle Street used to be. That space is now
an open public area. The PLI interurbans from 1914 until
1993, used to cross Congress Street (seen here) from Preble
Street (on the left) onto Middle Street (formally in the center of this
image). Then onto Federal Street (just to the right of the taller
building in the background, turn left behind that building
onto Temple Street, then another left back onto
Congress Street. The coaches would discharge, then board
passengers. Lewiston is where the PLI dispatcher's office
was located on the 2nd floor of the carhouse. And as
a coincidence was also on Middle Street. The image was taken
in August 2018. 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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