One never knows what curious things may turn
up when working on a restoration project like
the 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14,
Narcissus :) Photo by Ernie Eaton
The above image of two, circa 1952, "Friend or Foe" Trading Cards that were found being used as "shims" on woodwork removed from the Narcissus.
Here Heidi and Seth are working to remove
the long horizontal window sill from the left
side of the Narcissus. Upon inspecting the right
side window sill, Seth noticed there were
several "shims" in places where repairs had
been made to the sill many years ago.
Photo by Ernie Eaton
Ernie did some online research and found that in the early 1950s, Topps had trading cards series called "Friend or Foe". A card would have clues, a silhouette, and a list of specs. The next card in the series would have the correct answer. There were 200 aviation vehicles in the series. Here are images of what the cards originally looked like that were found in the Narcissus as shims
Portions of box tops from the 1940s biscuit
company, Loose-Wiles, maker of the well-known
baker of the Sunshine Biscuits. Ernie Eaton Photo
"Shims" PWM
"Shims" were found where repairs had been made
in the mid-forties/early fifties. PWM
The above image: ash board was part of a major order of green ash purchased for the Narcissus and delivered on December 9, 2015. The ash has been stored while it dried and is recently being used for use making various repairs or for making replacement components, like the vertical wall studs. PWM image
The dried ask is being cut
to replace the vertical
studs in the exterior of the
passenger compartment.
There are singles and
doubles.
Heidi is making cuts to
the interior of one of the pieces
needed to make a double.
The interior cuts that Heidi
made were for placing
other wood components
that makes up a double.
Heidi placed a premade
piece to check the cuts she
has made.
The making of a double,
The holes are there for a metal rod to pass through. One
threaded end of the rod attaches to the roof clerestory
roof edge and the opposite threaded end attaches to the
side sill. PWM
Here is an original double
in need of replacement. You
see the steel rod.
A couple of the new singles
on the left side have been
installed.
And three singles on
the right side has been installed.
Two covers on one of the motors that are in one truck
that is being considered for use in some way as we
work up a plan to build two trucks for the Narcissus
has specs and descriptions in Japanese. We were able to
send the photo to a Thornton Academy student in Saco,
Maine, who is from Japan. She did the translation.
Volunteers and shop staff were able to locate two Westinghouse HL-15B controllers that were acquired for the Narcissus way back in the later 1960s. They will be refurbished.
There are many brass components that need to be cast
for the Narcissus. Here is a pair of brass ends for one handrail.
The wooden rail has brass ends that attach to the body
on either side of a doorway.
A brass bell was acquired for use on the interior of the car
A rope is attached and is pulled by the conductor to notify
the motorman.
Seth is cleaning and fine-sanding mahogany trims pieces.
Seth is working on the newly made mahogany
sash for the large leaded stained glass
"eyebrows." One large eyebrow sits over a
pair of passenger windows. These sashes
were made by Lary Shaffer. The process
was tedious and time-consuming.
Spirit Varnish - Clear
the interior mahogany finish continues.
Spirit Varnish - Red
The exterior finish on all the mahogany
trim looked "red" to folks admiring the
majestic coach as it passed. Trim
includes sash of all forty ornated
leaded stained glass, and sash of
all other windows, as well as all
doors.
Red indeed
Theodore Roosevelt received an 8.5-pound trout while on Narcissus in Lewiston on August 18, 1914. On Thursday, February 21, 2019, I was researching other aspects of the electric railway influence in local towns and in doing so, focused more on the local reporting on the impact of the electric railways. And happened upon this gem of a story in the August 19, 1914, issue of the Lewiston Evening Journal, page 5, under the "Of Local Interest" column...see above :)
Researching is like prospecting for gold....every once and a while, you uncover a valuable nugget! ⛏⛏💰
It reads: " No one could appreciate such a gift as was presented by Frank N. Curtiss of New York City to Col. Theodore Roosevelt. It was an 8 1/2 pound Lake Auburn trout, which Curtiss caught early, Tuesday morning. Curtiss made the presentation after the Colonel and party had boarded the Narcissus and they were waiting near the car barn to start. "What do you think of that?" exclaimed Roosevelt. "Isn't that bully?" Doubtless, the ex-President had the trout served for his breakfast, Wednesday, for this was the expressed intention when it was turned over to the private secretary.
How wonderful is this story?
The Narcissus and its TR connections continue to provide amazing stories 
.
I wonder where the 8.5-pound trout was being kept on the
Narcissus when the picture was taken in Gray, not long after
leaving Lewiston on August 18, 1914
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.