1970 visitor gift shop/ticket purchase building. The Narcissus
had arrived the previous October 31st and was still on the
trailer of the highway monster in the parking area along what
is now the service road.
Click Here for 80th Anniversary Year - Seashore Trolley Museum 1939-2019 post
Click Here for the post - 80th Anniversary Year -A Look Back at the 50s - Seashore Trolley Mu.
Click Here for the post - 80th Anniversary Year - A Look Back at the 60s - Seashore Trolley Mus.
Click Here for the post - 80th Anniversary Year - A Look Back at the 60s - Seashore Trolley Mus.
Click Here for The Birth of Seashore Trolley Museum Blog Post
Click Here for the 1901 Tower C Boston Elevated Railway to STM 1975
The front of the tickets used in the '70s highlighted states
and countries represented in the Museum collection. PWM
Back of the tickets used in the '70s make no mention
of the former "Terminal" passenger operation in Arundel.
PWM
The front of the tickets used in the '60s highlighted the cities
represented in the Museum collection. PWM
Back of the tickets used in '60s notes, the tickets are issued
and valid at the Northern Division from the Terminal on
U. S. Route 1 in Arundel, Maine, OR the
Southern Division from Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport,
Maine. PWM
From the 1970 Annual Report:
The top has 1906, Los Angeles
Railway No. 521 was being prepared for
the move to Central carbarn. Next,
1927 MBTA steel subway No. 0719
ready to leave Kennebunk railroad
station to travel the few miles to its
new home at the Museum. Next,
1902 Mass. Northeastern No. 50
is being lowered onto trucks and then
heading to a carbarn for indoor
storage after surviving 40 years of
outdoor storage. Last, the front view
of the new "Facilities" building shortly
after completion in November 1970.
All photos by Jim Tebbetts.
Left- 1914 Rome, Italy No. 279 and 1906 Los Angeles, CA
Railway No. 521 - Courtesy of Sharon Cummins
Looking south from what is now the service road entrance
to what is now called Log Cabin Road. I believe the
building seen center, near Log Cabin Road, was being moved
by members in the following years, and as luck would have
it, severe winds caused the building to collapse during the
move and was destroyed.
The '70s were a decade of tremendous growth and transformation. The collection, carbarns, track, and visitation. Can't possibly include it all in one relatively short blog post. Will have to revisit during the course of the year and highlight certain aspects of the decade in subsequent posts. Many of the images in this post are from a family album that Doug Carrier purchased at a garage sale or flea market or rail show. The photos in the album were taken throughout the campus and while on a ride on the mainline. Images not from that album will be so noted. 40,000 riders were carried during the 1970 season. Up until the 1974 season, visitors were charged on a per-ride basis. Policy changes in 1974 included charging visitors an admission fee where their ticket was good for unlimited rides that day. For many, many years, the Operation Department has tracked the number of riders per day, however, as visitors may make multiple trips throughout the day, so, from a revenue standpoint, comparing the number of tickets sold during a season more clearly indicates the financial position pertaining to visitation than the ridership numbers. The "Energy Crisis" began to ease up some as '74 unfolded and visitation to the Museum leveled off and didn't continue to decline as it had during the '73 season.
1912 Aroostook Valley Railroad No. 70 is about to head north
on the shuttle to do trackwork perhaps?
A campus shot showing the restoration shop on the right and
Riverside is in the back center. The track setup seems a bit different
from today.
Looking west is South Boston carbarn. The building in
the foreground on the right was called, "Little River". This
public outhouse was removed from service after the new
bathroom facilities were operational in 1971.
Cars in South Boston carbarn L -1906 Manchester, NH
No. 38, 1901 Connecticut Co. open car No. 303, and
is that 1894 Boston, MA No. 925?
Courtesy of Sharon Cummins
has the New Zealand cable car No. 105 undercover. The
northeast corner of the MG Motor set building is seen
on the left. 1927 Montreal Tramways No. 2052 (L) and
1930 Cincinnati & Lake Erie RR No. 118 (R). The filled-in
area of the tracks in front of Riverside was for visitors
walking around, but also for cars/trucks to drive by, and then
cross the mainline in order to drive to the restoration shop.
The mainline with Riverside carbarn on the left.
Restoration Shop. The sign says, "Site of new carbarn -
Cost $12,000 - Help protect our cars - We need your help -
Donations accepted at gift shop fare boxes." The entrance
for driving to the restoration used to be that one would
drive over the tracks that enter Riverside carbarn, then
drive over the mainline to Morrison Hill Station
is currently, and follows to some degree what is currently
the walking pathway to the shop for a bit, then as
the photo above shows a cross-over of the shop lead tracks.
The addition to the west side for the machinery lean-to
was completed in 1970.
Donald Curry feeding a wood plank through the surface planer to
Jim Hamlin in the new machine lean-to in Restoration Shop.
James Tebbetts photo
Looking north along the mainline at McKay Crossing. The
restoration shop will be on the right out of sight of this
image.
Look south at McKay Crossing along the mainline.
The sign reads, "Syracuse" in the shadow on the side above
the window openings. This is looking north on the mainline
past Meserve's Crossing and just north of where the old gravel
pit was. Where cars are required to stop as they travel south
on their return trip. Syracuse was the end of the mainline
for a few years prior to mainline extension work.
Looking south from Syracuse is the stop sign and on the left,
the old gravel pit. The "Syracuse" Station can be seen
on the left (easterly side) and in the distance, also on the left,
is Syracuse Station with the northerly
corner of Meserve's Crossing in the far background.
Is this "Tower 1" looking north on the mainline?
Looking south along the mainline with "Tower 2" in the
foreground and "Tower 1" in the background further south.
1910 Connecticut Company No. 1391 at the end of the
main line. 1970 saw passenger service extend beyond
"Tower 5" on the mainline.
Highwood carbarn and the lead to the right goes onto Central
carbarn, etc.
Highwood carbarn on the left in the background. Lead to right
goes to Central carbarn.
1912 Boston Elevated motor flat with hoist, No. 2016 at
the north end of Riverside.
1948 8,000-gallon aluminum tank car.
1920 Oshawa, Ontario, 50-ton steel electric locomotive
No. 300 and 1948 8,000-gallon aluminum tank car.
Looking north from the "Well" the restoration shop is seen in
the background.
1915 Eastern Mass. Street Railway wooden line car
No. S-71 south of the "Well".
1926 Boston side dump car No. 3608 next to the bunkhouse.
1926 Boston side dump car No. 3608
Courtesy Sharon Cummins
1942 Pittsburgh, PA PCC air electric No. 1440 next
to "Shop 1", with the bunkhouse seen on the left. The
regauging of No. 1440 to standard gauge was completed
early in the 1970 season and became the first PCC to operate
on-campus carrying passengers.
1930 Cincinnati & Lake Erie No. 118 next to Shop 1 with
the bunkhouse in the background on the left.
Courtesy of Sharon Cummins
1911 Nagasaki, Japan No. 134
Courtesy Sharon Cummins
1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus still on
the trailer of the Highway Monster, sitting next to Shop 1.
1925 Philadelphia & West Chester, PA suburban
center-entrance car No. 62 arrives on campus
on August 19. Front cover of the September
1971 Dispatch. Photo courtesy Allgemeiner
Photodienst.
Steel and roof purlins for Central carbarn were delivered in
September '71 volunteers got to work on the final
100-foot extension. With the enlargement of Central Carbarn
to full size, undercover winter storage is now provided
for 85 percent of the electric car fleet. 1971 Annual Report.
Photo courtesy of James Tebbetts
STM Public Relations Officer, George
Sanborn (L), with Museum Director,
Michael Lennon, accept, on behalf of
Seashore, a "Silent Policeman" from
Quincy, MA, Mayor James McIntyre.
From the September 1971 Dispatch.
Photo by Doug Tatreau appeared in
the Patriot Ledger.
Here is the "Silent Policeman" (far right) at the Museum
entrance early in 1974. The mainline track was extended
to the main entrance in 1973 and in 1901 Connecticut Car
Company (seen here) open car No. 303 was on display
at the entrance to attract attention to the Museum. The
revamped front entrance included a new sign in 1974 (seen
here) as well as landscape improvements. These were all in
place for the Association of Railway Museums convention
hosted at Seashore in September '74.
1972 Highlights:
* Rochester, Syracuse & Eastern catenary tower #8 was erected. The final section of the track was laid, completing the mainline extension north of Syracuse station.
* Three outstanding cars entered regular passenger service early in the operating season;
regauged Philadelphia & West Chester, PA No. 62, 1901 Connecticut Car Company open car No. 303, and 1927 Montreal, Ontario lightweight No. 2052
1972 Annual Report back cover photo of 1901 Connecticut
Car Company open car No. 303, completely restored by
Seashore shop crew poses in front of Highwood carbarn.
Photo by Howard Odinius
1927 Springfield, MA/Montreal, Ontario Lightweight
No. 2052 boarding passengers next to the Museum Gift Shop.
July/August 1975 Dispatch O. R. Cummings photo
1930 Long Island Railroad Class MP-54 Commuter Rail
Coach has a quick stop across the street from the famed,
Wedding Cake House, in Kennebunk. MP-54 was loaded at
the Kennebunk train station and was now heading to
the Museum campus. 1972 Annual Report.
Photo courtesy of Dan Cohen
Tower #8 was up by the end of 1972. End of the mainline.
1916 Boston, MA 10-ton crane setting the bridge in place.
1972 Annual Report. T. Santarelli photo
Fairview photo from the 1972 Annual Report states this photo
was taken in January 1973 by C. B. Clapp.
1972 Annual Report photo by Bradley H.
Clarke of Boston, MA line truck No. 1377
as volunteers prepare to install span wire
for eventual use on the trackless line.
The back cover of the 1973 Annual Report shows
a newly refinished 1930 Montreal, Ontario
lightweight No. 2652, with Fred Maloney
using the new inspection pit in Town
House Restoration Shop. Photo by
Richard Brilliante
Fairview Carbarn shows covered storage being utilized
by the trackless trolleys, the UPS truck, and the San Francisco cable
car. 1973 Annual Report. Photo by Richard Brilliante
1929 Berliner Verkehrs-Betriebe (Berlin, Germany) No. 3412
arrived in June of 1972. Photo view of Arundel Station with
passengers boarding. 1973 Annual Report.
Photo by Richard Brilliante
1974 Annual Report mentions Charter Bus activity: 26 buses with 1,171 visitors
Seashore on TV: First year that Radio and TV stations throughout the New England area began to air public service spot announcements publicizing the Museum and its various activities. Richard T. Lane, Jr. became the Museum Director.
I think 1974 was the 1st year that the Museum transported
Maine Made May Day Music concert-goers to
Meserve's Crossing? This was my ticket from 1974.
The concert was a fundraiser for the School Around Us
and I believe the final year in this run was 1983. There were
back-to-back reunion concerts in 2000/2001 PWM
Back of the ticket for 1974
The Mar./Apr. 1978 Dispatch mentions that 1978
Museum crews needed to be ready for the influx
of 1,800 to 2,000 people if last year's (1977) crowd is
an indicator. PWM
The caption for this Brilliante photo in 1975
Annual Report in part says: Crowds of people
attending the May Concert at Meserve's Crossing.
This has become an annual event and utilizes four
to six cars for operations during the Sunday
afternoon performance.
From the 1974 Annual Report - Fairview lead
track work. Photo by Richard Brilliante
On the back cover of the 1974 Annual Report -
Central carbarn is seen through the lean-to extension steelwork
on Fairview. Deschenes photo left - Richard Brilliante photo right
1975 Annual Report: Aerial view of the Museum.
Notice the road to drive to the restoration shop from
Riverside Carbarn, crosses the mainline to approach the
shop from the south. Photo by Richard Brilliante.
1975 Highlights in the Annual Report:
* Car 31's restoration was complete. Funded in part through three, one-year, matching grants from Maine State Commission on the Arts and Humanities
* Liberty Bell rolled out of Town House Restoration Shop with exterior restoration complete - funding made possible through the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society organized a $10,000 fundraising drive, organized by Tom Ruddell of Allentown, PA, a Seashore member.
* The improved and expanded restoration shop facilities have proven their worth.
* Annual tie replacement program initiated.
* Completion of the final two tracks into Fairview.
* Tower "C" project - Tower "C" arrives on campus in November 1975
* Observation of visitor pattern: A marked change in the visitor pattern was observed during the 1975 season. With our newly instituted paid admission, people are spending more time on the property - up to four and five hours. Previously, the average length of stay was never more than two hours. It now appears that the visitor, having paid to enter the Museum, spends whatever time it takes to see and do everything that is offered. Two immediate needs have arisen. One is for more seating on the grounds for people to just sit and relax, and the other is for on-site food service.
* Public Relations - Public Service announcements were made on some twenty New England TV stations, a few in New York, and one in Philadelphia. These short films, shown along with commercials, were produced by Ed Dooks and Henry Brainerd and distributed by Mike Horn of Blair Radio.
Left - Right - Fairview Barn "Before" - Fairview Barn "Today"
and Central with the lean-to on the north side.
From the 1975 Annual Report.
Photos (l-r) C. B. Clapp, Brilliante, Brilliante
Photos (l-r) C. B. Clapp, Brilliante, Brilliante
1930 Lehigh Valley interurban No. 1030 "Liberty Bell"
seen with a restored exterior. Photo by Richard Brilliante.
1900 Biddeford & Saco RR open car No. 31.
Restoration complete and ready for 1976 - America's
Bicentennial Celebration year. Mr. Brilliante photo
Left to Right - 1930 Cincinnati & Lake Erie RR/CRANDIC
high-speed interurban No. 118 and 1930 Indiana Railroad/Lehigh Valley
Transit high-speed interurban No. 1030 "Liberty Bell" on the cover of 1976
Annual Report - America's Bicentennial Year. Mr. Brilliante's photo.
Some 1976 Highlights:
* 28.6% increase in admissions over 1975 - The Bicentennial Celebration year has proven to be a successful one for Seashore
* On-site food service need was partially solved, but it is seen as only a stopgap. The purchase of former Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Diner Car No. 415 (1926) was the first step in a long-range plan to provide food service in an appropriate setting.
* 1924 Wheeling, WV curved side No. 639, and 1911 Montreal, Ontario No. 957 each have volunteer project managers leading the fundraising and the restoration, Jim Schantz and Fred Maloney, respectively.
* Exterior refinishing of 1900 West End Street Railway "Cardinal Car" No. 396 as preparations continue in advance of its filming in Boston.
* Summer of 1976 saw a crew of 12 employees, the largest yet, at work in Town House Shop. Their work was made more effective by over 60 Society members and friends who volunteered anywhere from a few hours to several weeks of their time and effort.
* Three metalworking machines were acquired from the Boston Navy Shipyard. Two lathes and a horizontal milling machine.
* The body of a Bay State Street Railway 4100 series was acquired from its resting place in New Jersey. (It would later be identified as 1914 No. 4175)
* 1907 Boston Elevated Railway Steeple cab locomotive No. 0514 was acquired through the MBTA.
* Jim Schantz was authorized to investigate the possible acquisition of an old subway car from Budapest, Hungary. (1896 Budapest, Hungary Subway Car No. 18 would later be acquired)
* Trustees approve loaning "The City of Manchester" to the Manchester, NH Transit Authority for approximately two weeks during July 1977, in honor of the Manchester transit system's 100th anniversary.
* New Year's Eve - New Year's Eve will again be celebrated at STM this year by making numerous trips between Arundel Station and Tower 7 with M&SC 610 and 504. The former coal-burning heater will furnish plenty of warmth and refreshments will be provided. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, and will last until 1 or 1:30 a.m. on the first day of 1977. Come one, come all to Seashore to greet in the New Year.
* To the 115 members who worked either as car crew or exhibit barn guides, car cleaners, dispatchers, or a combination, we say "Thank You" for another good season! (All are listed by name)
* The body of a Bay State Street Railway 4100 series was acquired from its resting place in New Jersey. (It would later be identified as 1914 No. 4175)
* 1907 Boston Elevated Railway Steeple cab locomotive No. 0514 was acquired through the MBTA.
* Jim Schantz was authorized to investigate the possible acquisition of an old subway car from Budapest, Hungary. (1896 Budapest, Hungary Subway Car No. 18 would later be acquired)
* Trustees approve loaning "The City of Manchester" to the Manchester, NH Transit Authority for approximately two weeks during July 1977, in honor of the Manchester transit system's 100th anniversary.
* New Year's Eve - New Year's Eve will again be celebrated at STM this year by making numerous trips between Arundel Station and Tower 7 with M&SC 610 and 504. The former coal-burning heater will furnish plenty of warmth and refreshments will be provided. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, and will last until 1 or 1:30 a.m. on the first day of 1977. Come one, come all to Seashore to greet in the New Year.
* To the 115 members who worked either as car crew or exhibit barn guides, car cleaners, dispatchers, or a combination, we say "Thank You" for another good season! (All are listed by name)
Cover of Nov./Dec. 1976 Dispatch - Having unveiled the plaque dedicated
the restoration of Liberty Bell Limited parlor car 1030 in memory of her
late husband, Howard P. Sell, Alma Sell poses with, from left, Theodore
Santarelli de Brasch, Museum President; Tom Ruddell, Campaign Chairman,
and Gerhard Salomon, LV Chapter, NRHS, wearing an authentic uniform cap
and blazer used by Liberty Bell Route operators. Mr. Brilliante's photo.
From the 1976 Annual Report
From the 1976 Annual Report
Front cover of the 1977 Annual Report - April 27, 1977 - for the second
time in its career, 1900 West End Street Railway 25-foot Box Car
No. 396 is on its way to assuming a movie role. The scene at Park Street
Station en route to Boston's Reservoir Carhouse for the filming of a
national public television broadcasting series - The Best of Families.
Piloting the car is retired MBTA Arborway District Supervisor, E. A.
Silloway. No. 396 again proved to be quite an asset both in publicizing
the Society and in recreating some highly significant mass transportation
history. Photo by Bradley H. Clarke
Some 1977 Highlights:
* The loan of 1920 Eastern Mass.St. Ry.Third Ave. Ry/Toronto Transit Snow Sweeper No. S-31 to the MBTA achieved nationwide publicity early in the year.
* 1900 West End Street Railway Box Car No. 396 used in the TV series "The Best of Families".
* Substantial public awareness of our Museum's existence.
* Concrete floor area increased in Town House Shop
* Arrival of 1926 Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Diner Car No. 415 in September.
* Admissions revenues dipped a bit after the extra busy Bicentennial year in 1976.
No./Dec/ 1977 Dispatch
1977 Annual Report
Nov./Dec. 1977 Dispatch
Nov./Dec. 1977 Dispatch
Nov./Dec/ 1977 Dispatch
A stretch of fresh concrete in Town House Shop.
1977 Annual Report R. T. Lane photo
1977 Annual Report - 1924 Wheeling, WV curved side
No. 639. "Sponsor" on the left is Jim Schantz.
1977 Annual Report
1977 Annual Report
1977 Annual Report - 1920 Eastern Mass.St. Ry.Third
Ave. Ry/Toronto Transit Snow Sweeper No. S-31 came out of
retirement briefly in 1977 to keep MBTA's Mattapan
Ashmont line clear of snow - Bradley Clarke photo
1977 Annual Report - LRV 3411 poses with 1900 West End
Street Railway No. 396 at the approach to Haymarket Station.
No. 396 minus "West End" fronts removed for filming
sequence. Bradley Clake photo
1977 Annual Report
Jan./Feb. 1977 Dispatch
Jan./Feb. 1977 Dispatch
Jul./Aug. Dispatch - Earlier in the year, documents were
signed that would give STM a new North Terminal on
Route one in Biddeford. Almost 400 feet of frontage on
Route one and just north of the previous terminal property.
The caption: The photo is an aerial view, taken last March
('77), with the old terminal right-of-way curving to the right,
and the new terminal right-of-way swinging left from the
existing tangent track. No credit is listed for the photo
Some 1978 Highlights:
* Revenues increased in '78 due to admission ticket price increase, though actual visitation was just below 1977 numbers. (visitor attendance 45,100 in 1978)
* Inauguration of on-site food service in our interurban dining car, former Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee No. 415, with its beautifully restored interior.
* Accreditation by the American Association of Museums - STM is the first museum of its type to be recognized.
* All four of the restored open cars returned to passenger service.
* Board establishes steps to broaden financial support:
1) Establishment of fiscal credibility, in part by engaging Price Waterhouse & Company to bring accounting practices into conformity with established nonprofit museum practice
2) Trustees authorized the establishment of an endowment fund in 1978. Income from invested principal would be utilized for general operating expenses, etc.
3) Launching of a five-year development program, the largest such effort in the Society's history. (A five-part program with a goal to raise $500,000 by the end of 1983 and is designed to improve the Museum's physical plant, and thereby the educational offering to the visiting public. The net result will provide a sound base for financial self-support of the present site, and, possible satellite operations in the years to come.
On the inside back cover of the 1978 Annual Report.
No credit is listed for the photo.
Back cover of the 1978 Annual Report.
No credit is listed for the photos
Mar./Apr 1978 Dispatch - interior work on No. 415
1926 Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Diner Car No. 415
as it originally appeared when newly delivered by Cincinnati
Car Company in 1926. The opening day for No. 415 being used
at the Museum for its visitor food service was July 19, 1978.
The former waiting station at Portsmouth Junction trolley from
Hampton Beach, NH was acquired and placed alongside
No. 415 on the piggyback track where it was pressed into
service as the commissary building, providing housing for
an ice machine, tanks of soda, a refrigerator, and a freezer.
From the 1978 Annual Report - O. F. Lee Collection photo
Gross sales for the 1978 season: $7,578.71
More than 1,700 "Electroburgers" were served!
From the 1978 Annual Report - Woolnough photo
The front cover of the 1979 Annual Report reads - Sen. Edmund S. Muskie
(now U. S. Secretary of State) turns the first sod, as the ground is broken
for the Seashore Trolley Museum Visitors Center on July 7, 1979.
L-R Theodore Santarelli de Brasch, John Coughlin, O. R. Cummings,
John T. Kittredge, and Richard Stride. The embedded original design
plans are in these photos. Design plans by Mark Forman.
Woolnough photo
From the 1979 Annual Report:
* 1979 was the first year of the implementation of the Five Year Development Program. The stated goal is to broaden the base of our public support through major capital improvements to the physical plant: a visitors center building, an extension of the mainline ride, completion of the central-Fairview exhibit barn complex, creation of a shuttle loop ride to serve the major points of interest in the Museum, and expansion of the existing car repair and restoration shop.
* The lower-than-anticipated income from the past summer's operation has served to accelerate our efforts to free the Museum from its dependency on summer tourism for the bulk of its operating support. This period of transition will continue over the next several years and will require a proportionate level of support and the same stamina from the membership as did the struggle of 25 to 40 years ago just to protect the growing collection from the elements.
* The Museum has been exploring another possible satellite operation in the city of Lowell, MA. The National Park Service and Lowell Historic Preservation Commission are creating a national historic site in the old mill district. The plans include a visitor circulation system by trolley using existing railroad industrial trackage which would be electrified and extended to include operation in streets that are closed to automobile traffic. In exchange for restoration funds, the Museum would loan one or more of its Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway cars which once ran in Lowell under possible terms of an operating contract.
* The 40th Anniversary of the Museum's founding was observed on Saturday, July 7, 1979, with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Visitors Center.
* The extension of the mainline track took an initial step forward during August when Central Maine Power Company relocated its 38KV transmission line further from the Atlantic Shore Line roadbed thus clearing the way for the laying of the track.
* A special two-day open house was held on the weekend of October 13 & 14. Billed as "Community Days," the occasion offered free admission to residents of the surrounding area. The Museum's regular program of operation was supplemented with entertainment by three local music groups and bake sales by two community organizations. Over 1,200 people attended.
Inside front cover of the 1979 Annual Report - On the front platform
of 1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open car No. 31 are; L-R
State Representative George Carroll, Foster Leavitt (at the controls),
Alexander Hamilton, Theodore Santarelli de Brasch, and Senator
Muskie being given, along with other guests and dignitaries, an
inspection trip of the Museum following the ground-breaking ceremony.
Woolnough photo
Inside back cover of the 1979 Annual Report - Seashore Trolley Museum's
No. 5734 in the photo taken at Riverside carbarn on July 7, 1979, is
flanked by "Picture Window" P.C.C. car No. 3295 and a type 3 snow plow.
The occasion was the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Highland
Branch as a trolley line. The P.C.C. car that had been the official first car
to run on the new line has been beautifully refurbished and repainted
in the MTA color scheme of the late '50s by a volunteer group of MBTA
employees, "The Friends of 3295". Woolnough photo
A frequently repeated scene day in and day out at the
Highwood Exhibition Barn where guided tours are given
to display many of the Museum's showpieces. On the left
in this photo is No. 610 Montreal & Southern Counties
interurban that along with several others of its class used
to hold down the Granby run, and on the right, the
beautifully restored turn-of-the-century single truck
parlor car, the City of Manchester. From 1979
Annual Report - Woolnough photo
From the 1979 Annual Report
From the 1979 Annual Report
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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