Narcissus Restoration Update - June 18, 2019

The casting of the first of twenty bronze handles for

the Narcissus walk-over passenger seats picked

up from the Brass Foundry in West Rockport, ME.

  It was inspected and approved. The owner of the foundry,

Richard Remsen will make some pattern adjustments

to improve consistency. Take a look, it is self-evident

as to why it's a slow piece to mold, cast, and finish.

PWM image

     As 2019 rolls along, later in the year, on October 31st, the Narcissus will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its arrival at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The Narcissus is currently in the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, in the midst of a complete restoration to operating condition. Once the restoration is complete, the Narcissus will be on display for the visiting public, and for special occasions will be operated on the Museum's Heritage Electric Railway. The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebration is being planned for the fall of 2021.

     Scrolling down any of the Narcissus blog posts you will find the listing of the various generous organizations that have made donations to the Narcissus Project. Also listed are organizations whose members may have also contributed individually to the Narcissus Project. We are grateful to you all. Thank you!

     This post will be an update on various restoration tasks. While restoration is ongoing daily, other important work continues off-campus that also is critical to the Narcissus Project. In preparation for the ribbon-cutting celebration, we are planning the interpretation programming. We research the Seashore Trolley Museum archives and many other historical societies, libraries, etc., for materials that will be important in helping us create exhibits, displays, and online education programming for all ages. Once artifacts, photographs, and related ephemera are identified, they are added to a spreadsheet. Once the data is collected, then the inventory can be considered for use in any number of interesting, engaging ways in the interpretation programming. In some cases, the photographs and other ephemera materials identified need to be photographed and have a digital file created. Then that digital file can be used in the programming.
    One such incredible find in our research was the original surveyors' map from January 1910, of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (PG&LRR became the Portland-Lewiston Interurban in 1914). The owner, Paul Libbey, grandson of the builder of the PG&LRR, W. S. Libbey, gifted the historic electric railway map to the Seashore Trolley Museum. It would be a cornerstone exhibit piece for the Narcissus ribbon-cutting celebration, however, it was in desperate need of conservation. Once cleaned, repaired, conserved, and photographed, we would have the original safely stored away and have the digital files available to use in the interpretation programming.
     First, we had to raise the funds to have the above conservation work, etc., done. It took eight months, but we raised the funds and now have the original safely stored and we have the exciting digital files....oh, and a 28.5-foot copy of the original map too!

Mr. David Joyall, Senior Collections Photographer at Northeast

Document Conservation Center in Andover, MA at the far

end starting to roll up the facsimile while Collections

Photographers, while Amelia Murphy and Katelyn Legacy,

hold the reproduction map steady before rolling it up.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

     There are more important photographs and ephemera that have been identified within Seashore's collection, that will be invaluable to the Narcissus interpretation programming, these too must first undergo cleaning, repairs, conservation, and being photographed to create digital files.

Eighty-eight pages of irreplaceable photos,

original poetry, newspaper clippings with

personal notes, and other ephemera that

need our help to be cleaned, repaired,

conserved, and scanned to digital files can be

available to help tell the incredible story of the

Narcissus and the PLI. PWM image

     We have time on our side to have the work done in time for the creation of Narcissus programming. What we need is your help in raising the funds required to have the conservation work done. Please scroll down this post to find the various ways you might consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project to make this conservation work happen. Thank you!

Narcissus work -

One by one, the vertical window posts that

are assessed as being structurally unacceptable,

are replaced with new posts made in the shop.

The replacement of a single post requires

lifting the posts on either side of the 

replacement candidate to relieve the weight

enough from the post being replaced,

so the replacement process can

take place safely. PWM image.

The new replacement window posts await their turn.

PWM image

The left side of the Narcissus is seen on June 12. We will

retain the original window posts that pass

the structural integrity assessment. PWM image

The right side of the Narcissus is seen on June 4, 2019.

PWM image

Seth is working on the left side beltline

that runs the whole length of the passenger

compartment and in part provides

horizontal support for the window posts

and ultimately a place for the  bottom of the

passenger window sash to rest when closed.

This left-side beltline is much better

condition than the right side. During its

35 years as the Vallee family summer camp

at Sabattus Pond, the right side

received all the weather elements, unprotected.

The left side faced inland and benefitted

from the protection. PWM

The right-side belt line needed lots of attention.

As mentioned in an earlier post, there were clear

and very interesting signs of having had several

repairs in the late 1940s and or early 1950s.

More "Friend or Foe" trading card shims were found when repair

segments were removed...see the segment of one card?

PWM image

Here are the backs

PWM image

 Here are the fronts

PWM image

The previous repairs were removed. PWM image

Once the repairs from 70 years ago were removed, and the

other areas that had condition problems were also removed,

it was determined that enough of the original southern yellow

pine of the right side beltline was structurally sound and the

appropriate repairs would move forward. A very time-

consuming project. PWM image

Love the old-growth southern yellow pine :)

Look at the number of growth rings per inch

in this beautiful old-growth timber.

PWM image

Seth found some old-growth southern yellow pine leftover

from a since completed project and the sizing was just right

for the pieces needed for the repairs. PWM image

Repairs pieces in place and ready to become permanent.

PWM image

Seth begins the process of permanently

attaching the repair pieces. PWM image

Piece by piece. PWM image

l-r - Tom Hughes, Donald Curry, and Ernie
Eaton. Tom Hughes was the Narcissus Project
manager for several years starting in
the mid-1990s. His attention to detail in
documenting the condition of the
Narcissus in those early years, through
photographs and sketches, has provided
Ernie, as the leader of the Narcissus
restoration in the shop, invaluable
resources for piecing together the
Narcissus planning. Thank you, Tom!
PWM

During Tom's visit, he was able to get

reacquainted with his old friend, Narcissus.

Tom also had the opportunity to meet the shop staff

member, Seth Reed. Seth is the self-proclaimed,

"wood guy," providing his perfectly suited

woodworking skills from years in the historic

restoration field to the Narcissus. PWM

No. 16, Clematis, is a Laconia-built coach from the same

order in 1912, as Narcissus. The four Laconia-built coaches

originally all had brass "peanut" whistles, as seen here on the

clerestory roof of the Clematis. We needed a couple of these

whistles for the Narcissus. Photo from O.R. Cummings Coll.

This spring, a peanut whistle was offered

to the Museum. We acquired the whistle

and feel the base whistle will be one less

we need to find for the Narcissus :) 

Morrison Hill Station had two more benches added this

spring. We added four more - In Memoriam plaques in 2019.

While visitors wait for a trolley ride at Morrison Hill Station,

they have an opportunity to learn about some of the people

 in the life of the Narcissus. The

Narcissus traveled by and occasionally stopped at this

station when it was in service in West Cumberland, ME 

along the PLI from 1915 until 1933.  PWM image

J. Henri Vallee  - In Memoriam plaque - new in 2019 PWM

Bill Dox, Jr. - In Memoriam plaque - new in 2019 PWM

W. S. Libbey -In Memoriam plaque - new in 2019 PWM

O. R. Cummings - In Memoriam plaque - new in 2019 PWM

I was invited to speak at the Gray Historical Society's annual

meeting. The mid-April gathering had 50-plus in attendance.

The presentation focused on the  Narcissus Project and the PLI.

PWM image 

Gray Historical Society had an open house on 

Saturday, June 8, 2019. A feature display was

the extensive collection of Portland-Lewiston

Interurban artifacts and memorabilia. PWM 

Photo in the PLI Employees Scrapbook of No. 10,

Arbutus, in Mrs. Anthony's yard in 1941. In 1933,

Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony purchased the fully

complete, ready-to-operate, No. 10, Arbutus, and had it

moved from Lewiston to her property in Saco, ME.

There it was placed on a short section of track, as a

memorial to her late father, W. S. Libbey,

the builder of the PLI.

Sadly, Mrs. Anthony had the Arbutus scrapped in the mid-40s.

She did, however, have some components and pieces of the

Arbutus removed and donated them to various organizations,

such as the Maine Historical Society and Gray Historical

Society. Here is a mahogany panel from No. 10, Arbutus,

on display at the Gray Historical Society's open house.

PWM image.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     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.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

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

The Figure-Eight of Lewiston by O.R. Cummings

January 1957 issue of the Bates Alumnus magazine

included this article by the late Seashore Trolley Museum

historian and prolific electric railway lines author, 

O. R. Cummings. Image from the Bates Alumnus.

Thank you to Bates College Muskie Archives for sharing with us, this copy of O. R. Cummings' story on the "Figure-Eight" published in the Bates Alumnus,  January 1957. O. R. Cummings was the Seashore Trolley Museum's historian for decades and published fifty books or more on electric railways in New England. O. R. passed away in 2013 and is greatly missed by this blogger and all who knew him in the historic railway circles.

     O. R. Cummings, better known as "Dick," was a member of the Class of 1944 at Bates until World War II tore him away from his studies. He later graduated from the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston and joined the staff of the Newburyport, Mass., Daily News. Last April he moved to Manchester, NH, Union-Leader, where he is employed as a rewrite-man.

     Dick is the official historian of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, Inc., owner of the Seashore Electric Railway trolley museum at Kennebunkport, and the author of several histories of Maine electric railways, including the Portland-Lewiston Interurban; the Atlantic Shore Line Railway; the Rockland, Thomaston, and Camden Street Railway; and the Biddeford and Saco Railroad. His history of the Portland Railroad system is now in the process of publication and he is working on a two-part history of the Lewiston, Augusta, and  Waterville Street Railway.

     Dick is the son of Mary Audley Cummings, '12, who makes her home in Newburyport.

     The time was September 1940, and at the corner of Campus Avenue and College Street, more than a hundred members of the Class of 1944 waited for the start of the annual Stanton Ride.

     Soon, with a shriek of whistles as they passed John Bertram Hall, two large trolley cars came lurching down Campus Avenue and with a hiss of air and the grinding of brakes, stopped in front of the freshman group. Within a few minutes, everyone was aboard and the cars started, rounding the sharp, curve onto College Street and heading for Lake Auburn.

Last Trip 1941 - Motorman-Conductor Mr. Turgeon (?)

for many years. Courtesy Androscoggin Historical Society

     

Last Ride by Trolley

     Now, the Stanton Ride has been a regular event of Freshman Week since it was established by the late Professor "Uncle Johnny" Stanton way back before the turn of the century. But the 1940 trip had special significance, for it marked the last time that the traditional trolleys were used for transportation on the annual outing. When September 1941 rolled around and the Class of 1945 arrived on the Bates campus, the ancient streetcars in Lewiston and Auburn had been replaced by shiny new buses.

Figure-Eight map from O.R Cummings 1963 publication,

"Lewiston, Augusta, & Waterville Street Railway.

PWM Collection

     The passing of the trolleys, in addition to ending one of the traditions of the Stanton Ride, also meant goodbye to the good old "Figure Eight," the line which had served the Bates campus, first with horsecars and later with electrics, for half a century. The new buses ran directly to the College from downtown Lewiston, looping around campus via College and Russell streets and Central and Campus avenues instead of following the old circuit through Lisbon, Pine, and Sabattus streets and down Campus Avenue.

Interior of an electric car probably Figure 8, Last Trip 1941

Image courtesy Androscoggin Historical Society

Lewiston at Hub of Electric Lines

     It should be noted here and now that in the heydey of the trolley, the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn were the hub of an extensive network of electric railway lines through south-central Maine. The Lewiston, Augusta, and Waterville Street Railway, the largest system in the state, extended from Lewiston to Brunswick and Bath, to Augusta and Waterville, to Mechanic Falls, and to Turner, while the luxurious Portland-Lewiston Interurban provided direct service from Union Square, Lewiston, to Monument Square, Portland.

LA&W St. Rwy

Courtesy Androscoggin

Historical Society

LA&W St. Rwy Motoman

PWM Image

Three Maine Colleges Were Linked

     The Lewiston, Augusta, and Waterville system, incidentally, served three of Maine's four colleges - Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby - and it would have been possible to ride to Lewiston all the way to the University of Maine had a proposed line between Waterville and Bangor ever been built.

     Both Bates and Bowdoin frequently chartered special cars to convey athletic teams and student rooters from one college to the other as the distance was only twenty miles - a ninety-minute ride. Trips to Colby, however, were usually made by steam railroad because of the distance, fifty-five miles, and the three hours (of time) by trolley. Moreover, the Maine Central station in Waterville was practically in the backyard of the old Colby campus.

Trolleys Were Popular for Class Rides

     In the days when each Bates class took an annual trip, many of the journeys were made by trolley to such places as Merrymeeting Park in Brunswick, New Meadows Inn in West Bath, Tacoma Inn at Litchfield, Island Park on Cobbosseecontee in East Winthrop, near Augusta, and Casco Castle Park in South Freeport, on the trolley line between Brunswick and Portland.

     Tacoma Inn, incidentally, was noted for its bountiful dollar dinners and if a student became weary of the fare at the Commons or Rand Hall, he or she had only to ride up to Tacoma for a repast fit for a king. The round-trip trolley fare from Lewiston added another fifty cents to the cost, but the meal was well worth it.

All for a Nickel Fare!

     Getting back to Figure Eight, it provided a convenient way for Bates students to enjoy a cooling ride before "hitting the books" on a hot early fall or late spring evening. The round-trip through Lewiston and Auburn took a half hour and the fare was a nickel. Open bench cars were used on the line in the days before the First World War, and there was always a scramble for the front or rear seat where, out of sight of the rest of the passengers, a student, and his favorite coed could engage in a little discreet handholding.

Lisbon Street, Lewiston at night.

Postcard Collection of PWM

     In connection with Figure Eight, we recall a story told us by a Bates graduate many years ago. It appears that she was being initiated into a "top-secret" girls' sorority on campus and as part of her initiation, she was required to signal a Figure Eight car to stop in front of Milliken House. When the car stopped, she put her foot on the running board, untied and tied her shoe, and then stepped back, thanking the motorman and conductor for their courtesy. Trolley car crews always accepted such antics in good spirits and "anything the college kids did was all right."

Remember Lake Auburn?

     Another favorite trip of college students in the heydey of the trolley was to Lake Grove Park on the shore of Lake Auburn in East Auburn. This park, with its summer theatre and other amusements, was once a favorite recreation spot for residents of the Twin Cities. Bates people weren't supposed to go there unless accompanied by a proper chaperone, but they'd occasionally take a chance on Saturday afternoons and ride out to Lake Grove. Canoes were available for hire and there was nothing more enjoyable than a paddle around the lake, provided, of course, that a feller had his best girl along.

Lake Grove, Auburn

Postcard Collection of PWM

And East Auburn Grange Hall?

     Near Lake Grove Park was the East Auburn Grange Hall and some members of at least one Bates class occasionally hired the place for a Saturday afternoon dance during the days when tripping the light fantastic was forbidden on the college campus. The group made the trip to and from East Auburn by trolley and the girls, in particular, were always certain to be back on campus by six o'clock in time for the evening meal at Rand Hall. Their absence would have taken a lot of explaining.

     Off-campus students found the trolleys convenient and easy to ride distances. The winter months were the worst for such commuters, of course, for occasionally the trolley lines in the outlying areas would be blocked by snowdrifts and the trolleys couldn't run until the tracks were cleared. At such times, if a student were stranded at College, there were always emergency accommodations, but if he or she were stranded at home, there was a valid excuse for missing classes.

Coal for Heating Plant Delivered by Trolley

     One of the most valuable services performed for Bates by the street railway was the hauling of coal from Bath to the College's heating plant behind Hathorn Hall. Rails were laid from Campus Avenue along Bardwell Street and the back of Hedge Lab to the plant. The fuel was brought in large gondola cars which could dump their loads directly into the coal bunkers at the college. Coal delivery by trolley ended after the Bath streetcar line was abandoned in 1937 and the tracks on Bardwell Street were removed.

     We mentioned the Portland-Lewiston Interurban earlier in this story and it might well be pointed out that the builder of the line was W. Scott Libbey, a Lewiston industrialist, who gave the Libbey Forum to the College. His daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony, was the wife of Professor Alfred Williams Anthony, who taught at Bates for several years. His son, Scott Libbey, is now a member of the Bates Board of Trustees.

Libbey Forum at Bates College

 Postcard Collection of PWM

     It might also be pointed out that William B. Skelton, '92, senior member and current chairman of the Board of Trustees, was the president of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway, successor to the Lewiston, Augusta, and Waterville Street Railway, during its last years of operation, and that he was president at one time and is now board chairman of Central Maine Power Company, which owned the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.

     Our own memories of the Lewiston trolleys are rather scant, for they were operating only during our freshman year. We do recall, however, riding the Figure Eight downtown, getting a transfer, and then taking a Weber Avenue car back to the College - all for a single fare. We also remember the night that a railroad torpedo we placed on the trolley tracks near Chase Hill - just before the last Sabattus car of the evening was due to pass. The loud explosion that resulted brought lights twinkling on in nearly every house in the neighborhood and we think a police cruiser came to investigate.

     That last car from Sabattus in the late evening always sounded a whistle as it came down Campus Avenue toward the College, and unless we were (studying) for an exam to be written the following day, the sound of the whistle was our signal to shut up the books and hit the sack. It was only a few hours until breakfast and that 7:40 class in French.

A conductor of the electric car poses with people on his route.

1941.

Image courtesy Androscoggin Historical Society

Conductor carrying "cash box" (fare

register) from the last car, 1941.

Courtesy Androscoggin Historical Society

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     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.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

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

New Book Will Benefit the Narcissus Project and Seashore Trolley Museum

Theodore Roosevelt leaning out of the train doorway of the

Portland-Lewiston Interurban no. 14, Narcissus, as he

addresses the gathered townsfolk in Gray, Maine on August

18, 1914. Roosevelt had experienced something special

as he and the Narcissus were approaching the Gray station

moments earlier. Image courtesy Gray Historical Society

     One year ago, I was very happy to release a blog post announcing that award-winning Maine author, Jean M. Flahive, had agreed to write a young reader's historical fiction chapter book that would benefit the Narcissus Project. I am now, very happy to report, that the book, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride, will be released this fall! Below is the 'teaser' for the book and some feedback from two who read the manuscript just before it was submitted to Maine Authors Publishing in Thomaston, Maine, to be professionally edited. For an autographed copy of Jean's book in time for distribution as a holiday gift; advance mail orders of the new book received by the Museum Store of Seashore Trolley Museum, before November 15, 2019, will receive an autographed copy of the new book, signed by Jean M. Flahive. So, stay tuned for details on the release date, pricing, etc., in the coming weeks.

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride

by Jean M. Flahive

     In 1911, young Millie Thayer is witnesses to the building of a rail line passing through the back pasture of her family's farm in Gray, Maine. Electric trolleys that will run from Portland to Lewiston capture Millie's imagination and dreams of faraway places. A chance encounter with a fortune-teller who sees Millie's future sets Millie on a path that intersects with former president Theodore Roosevelt and his trolley ride on the new Narcissus as it passes through her town. Millie's fascination with 'Mr. Teddy" and her childhood fantasies guide her actions for the next few years. Ultimately Millie is faced with one of life's harsh realities that cast a shadow on her dreams. In a moving twist, her answer comes in an unexpected place.

"...Jean Flahive expertly rolls back the years, bringing us back to the arrival of interurban rail in small-town Maine. These 'electric traveling machines' change young Millie's life forever..."

Andrew Vietze; award-winning author of Becoming Teddy Roosevelt.

"...the story of their friendship is beautifully woven into the touching story of the girl..."

Donna Davidge; great-granddaughter of William W. Sewall - Sewall House, Island Falls, Maine, referring to Theodore Roosevelt and William Sewall.

"Jean M. Flahive skillfully describes the arrival of the interurban trolleys in Maine and how they changed both the landscape and lives of Mainers forever. Her captivating characters meet at the crossroads of progress and politics, taking the reader on a journey of anticipation, wonder, and the reality of a changing world."

Marie Dostie; Consulting Teacher, Gifted Education, Auburn Middle School, Auburn, Maine

"Flahive's book explores a lesser-known episode from the later life of Theodore Roosevelt; she imbues the story, told from her perspective of a young girl growing up at the turn of the century, with humor and heart."

Heather G. Cole; Curator, Literary & Popular Culture Collections at John Hay Library, Brown University

General comments: "An interesting juxtaposition of a "present-day" interview and a fictional account of the interviewee's childhood, all related to an encounter with Teddy Roosevelt on a Maine trolley car. Though written for children in the middle grades (perhaps ages 9 through 12), it can be enjoyed by older kids and adults, as well."

Title & Concept: "Title and concept are great and I like the "challenge" of the time shift between the interview and Millie's fictionalized childhood, especially for a kids' book at this level."

Editorial Evaluation of Manuscript Comments on Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride.

     Jean and I are very pleased to be working with Maine artist, Amy J. Gagnon, from Mount Desert Island. Amy, like Jean, was referred to me by Maine Authors Publishing. Amy is now working on the cover illustration and twenty-eight individual sketches for the book. One of the different sketches will be at the top of the page of each new chapter in the book and one will be on the top of the first page of the epilogue. Click on Amy's name above to see her Google home page where there are links to her Twitter and Instagram pages. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     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.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

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

Conserved! January 1910 Original 28-foot-long PGLRR Map

Senior Conservator, Luana Maekawa, with her right arm 

blocking her face as she and her colleagues at Northeast

Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover, MA,

unroll the original January 1910, 28.5-foot-long elevation and

grade map of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad

(which would become the Portland-Lewiston Interurban in

July 1914). This was during one of the many steps in cleaning,

repairing, conserving, photographing, and making a

full-size facsimile. NEDCC staff left to right:

Monique Fischer-Senior Photograph Conservator,

Luana Maekawa-Senior Conservator, Audrey Jawando-

Assistant Conservator, Kathryn "Katie" Boodle-Associate

Conservator, Suzanne Martin Gramly-Senior Conservator, 

and Amanda Maloney-Associate Photograph & Paper

Conservator. Photo by Tim Gurczak, NEDCC Collection

Photographer

On November 15, 2017, I had the honor and pleasure to meet with Mr. Paul Libbey. Mr. Libbey, a nonagenarian, is the grandson of W. S. Libbey, Sr., and nephew to Harold Libbey. Paul Libbey was very generous and made a donation to the Museum. Paul donated the original map of the elevation and grade of the right-of-way of the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad (which became Portland-Lewiston Interurban in 1914). This incredible map was created by the surveyors after they completed their task of surveying the approximately thirty-mile stretch between Auburn and North Deering in Portland between 1907 & 1908, in preparation for then acquiring property for a right-of-way for the construction of the high-speed electric interurban railroad that would connect the twin cities of Auburn and Lewiston to Portland. We are so very grateful to Paul Libbey for making the donation of this precious, historic railway map to the Seashore Trolley Museum....here is the rest of the story...enjoy :)

A photo showing a portion of the original hand-drawn map

of the elevation and grade of the Portland, Gray and

Lewiston Railroad before being delivered to NEDCC for

conservation work in 2019. PWM photo

Once the map was in hand, with its outer layers in extremely fragile condition, any further examination as to its overall length or inner roll's condition was negated. It needed to be placed in the hands of professional archivists/conservators for assessment. I reached out to Dugan Murphy, Executive Director of Maine Archives & Museum, for his suggestions concerning prospective conservators to assess the condition of the map and to provide estimates for having the work done. As a member of MAP, Dugan shared with me the listserve link to all individuals and organizations that provide such services. Michael Lee, Director of Paper & Photograph Conservation at NEDCC was on the list. I personally had not worked with NEDCC, but I knew that Seashore Trolley Museum's Library volunteer, Amber Tatnall, had some experience with the organization. I reached out to Amber and Library Committee members, Randy Leclair and Karen Dooks to discuss the next steps.

I contacted Michael Lee via email with an inquiry about having the map assessed for conservation and an estimate for work and also having the Scrapbook of the Employees of the PLI reunions assessed as well. Michael replied that NEDCC would be happy to provide the service for the map and referred me to Mary Brogan, Director of Book Conservation at NEDCC, for arrangements to have the Scrapbook assessed. We were able to coordinate a day and time for the two NEDCC departments to meet with me, Amber Tatnall, and Randy Leclair, for the team members at NEDCC to have an initial view of the two artifacts. We traveled to Andover, MA to NEDCC on May 7.

I knew immediately that I was going to enjoy visiting the

NEDCC during my first trip there, when I saw this station at

the end of the parking lot at the Andover Landing facility :)

PM photo

NEDCC - Andover, MA

PWM photo

The various NEDCC department leaders and staff were very excited to examine the two historic railway artifacts. Many questions were asked. In regards to the map, very few answers were known. With the condition of the outer layers and having only anecdotal comments about the provenance of the map, we were left with many questions unanswered. We left the two precious items with the team for them to conduct their assessments and generate estimates.

  A couple weeks later, I returned to Andover to retrieve the items and the estimates. The NEDCC team was able to successfully unroll the map, assess it, and carefully reroll the map using a protective layer of archival material that would allow for safe short-term storage and would allow for a safe unrolling when the time came for it to have conservation work.

NEDCC "Condition on Receipt"

The map was received rolled and partially flattened, resulting in regular, almost pleated planar distortions. The distortion was so pronounced and strong that the exact length of the map could not be precisely measured. The left side of the map was outermost when rolled and was the most damaged: a loss of 9" x 16" at the lower-left corner, other smaller breaks, losses along the bottom edge that extended for another 40", and numerous large and small breaks and losses in the paper. The bottom edge of the paper was generally tattered with many small tears, losses, and folds. Three very small edge sections were detached. There was also a 54" wide tear 2" up from the bottom edge of the paper that began approximately 145" from the left edge of the map. The map had been exposed to moisture, resulting in water stains, numerous mold stains of various colors, and areas where the paper adhered to itself and resulted in some skinning or small losses. There was also surface dirt and embedded mud that was especially heavy at the ends of the map but also appeared as small heavy deposits scattered throughout the map. Testing revealed that none of the media were sensitive to water or a mixture of water and alcohol.

The assessment included that the map is approximately 28.5 feet long and has one continuous roll of paper. Seriously! The outer section of the rolled-up extraordinary map was clearly torn and missing some amount of material and was sorely in need of conservation. An appraisal of its condition and an estimate totaling $11,000 to professionally clean, repair, conserve, and photograph the map was provided by NEDCC. Having high-resolution digital files available would allow for further research of the line to be conducted as well as having the files for use in creating displays, exhibits, and online education programs. Very exciting possibilities. Fundraising to help cover these costs became a high priority. Through the generosity of many donors during the following months, we had the necessary funds to have all the work on the map completed. Thank you :)

Later in April 2019, work began in Andover to clean, repair, conserve, and photograph the map. During the first week of May, I received an email from Luana Maekawa, Senior Conservator at NEDCC, letting me know that the map project was nearing completion. She believed we would be very pleased with the results, and asked where the original would be stored. She went on to ask if we had considered having a facsimile made from the original 28.5-foot map. She referred me to NEDCC's Director of Imaging Services, Terrance D'Ambrosio, to discuss the details of having a full-size facsimile created.

I met Terrance during the first trip to NEDCC in May 2018 to have the map and the Scrapbook of the Employees of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban assessed initially. Terrance had overseen the photography of the map undergoing its conservation. He was thrilled with the photographs and based on the exceptional results of the conservation of the map, expressed his confidence that the results of having a life-size facsimile created would be incredible. He went on to say that the quality, clarity, color, and details of the facsimile would be amazing for research and for public display purposes. Terrance had me a life-size facsimile :) I authorized the additional cost of having the facsimile made.

I made the trek to Andover on June 5, 2019, to retrieve the conserved map, facsimile, and digital files.

Me, Narcissus Project sponsor, Phil

Morse, June 5, 2019, reacting when I

first saw a title and date on the newly

cleaned, conserved map of the

Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad

(on the right). The full-size facsimile

of the map is on the left. Photo -

Tim Gurczak - NEDCC

Collections Photographer

The title and date of the historic map were written on the back

of the map on the "Auburn" end. The print can be seen

through the protective backing that the NEDCC team

applied. "Profile of the Portland, Gray & Lewiston RR

January 1910" - PWM photo

Left-right, Phil Morse, Narcissus Project manager,

Luana Maekawa, NEDCC Senior Conservator, and 

Terrance D'Ambrosio, NEDCC Director of Imaging

Services study the facsimile map of the PG&LRR

that was created from the original conserved map. 

Photo - Tim Gurczak - NEDCC Collections Photographer

          Having the date of the map be January 1910 is an important clue for us to use in tracing the provenance of the map. The details are now clearly visible on the map indicating that the surveyors of the land for the approximately, thirty-mile right-of-way for the proposed construction of a new high-speed electric railroad between Auburn and North Deering in Portland created this map using their data of town lines, elevation, grade, existing roads, waterways, etc. We know from the local newspaper reports that on October 30, 1907, the initial survey of the land for the proposed line was completed as far as Gray. The brief statement in the paper does not indicate specifically from which approach to Gray was completed. Based on the starting point and key placement on the map being at the Auburn end, for now, we will consider the surveyors completing the section from Auburn to Gray first. 

The "key" to the map is at the "Auburn" end of the map.

The image is of the facsimile map. Quality of this "copy"

is incredible...seriously. "Surface Line" is black in color,

"Banks by road" is a light gray in color, and the "Grade Line"

is red in color. PWM photo.

"0" on the map is where the survey data begins. 

The text denoting the starting point reads:

"McFalls Div LA&W RR Track 337.50"

Mechanic Falls Division of the Lewiston, Augusta &

Waterville Railway was the electric railway system

that would be used by the interurbans to travel through

Auburn to the Interurban station that would be built

on Middle Street in Lewiston. "Track 337.50" refers

to the elevation of the track at this point - PWM photo

A 1944 Army Corp of Engineers map

titled "Portland West-Maine" shows

the former roadbed of the PLI. The red line

shows the approximate loss of paper

from the outer portion of the original

PG&LRR map conserved by NEDCC.

The loss is from Blackstrap

Road to the end of the right-of-way

at Deering Junction. PWM photo.

     Here is the NEDCC "Treatment Performed" -

A written record of treatment was provided. Surface soil was reduced using dry cleaning techniques as possible. After confirming that the media would permit aqueous treatment, the object was humidified and washed with filtered water/alcohol to clean the paper and reduce staining, discoloration, and acidity. The object was lined to mend tears, fill losses, and for additional support, with Japanese paper, wheat starch paste, and methylcellulose. It was flattened by stretch-drying on a board and rolled onto an archival tube for storage purposes. The rolled map was covered with a Melinex sheet and fastened with two cotton-twilled tapes. The object was housed in an archival Tube Box.

Here is the pictorial of the conservation process and the early next steps. Please don't mistake that the steps seen in the pictorial happened, in short order because you can easily and quickly scroll down through the steps and process. The degree of difficulty working through each of the steps to process this delicate, yet physically challenging to handle, due to its length, a paper map, cannot be properly expressed or detailed by these stunning images that capture a single moment of what must be at times, very, very, challenging work taking place over many long days. The staff at NEDCC did an absolutely incredible job conserving this historic, one-of-a-kind, electric railway artifact! NEDCC shared with me that this was one of the longest documents they had ever conserved! And that it was an honor for all the staff members to work with this precious resource. How very exciting for us to experience their skilled results!

* Note from Phil - after releasing this post, if I should find I have misnamed someone in the captions, or I have the steps out of sequence to make other corrections in my wording of the steps/process...I will make the needed corrections as they are brought to my attention - PWM

The preparation for washing begins with Luana Maekawa,

The senior Conservator started to unroll the map between strips of

polyester film for support. The map will be immersed in a

water/alcohol bath while rolled. Ms. Suzanne Gramly,

the Senior Conservator is seen in the background preparing materials

that will be used during the process. All NEDCC photos

are by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Luana and Terra during the first phase of preparing the lining.

Japanese paper is brushed onto a polyester fabric that has been

pasted onto supporting melamine boards

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Terra Huber (l), a Conservator, working with Ms. Suzanne Gramly,

Senior Conservator (with Luana Maekawa, Senior

Conservator in the background) as they paste the lining paper.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Then the newly washed map is rolled out onto the lining

using a stable, temporary protective liner. (l-r) Monique,

Luana, Audrey, Kathyrn "Katie" Boodle, Associate

Conservator, Suzanne, and Amanda. Photo by Tim Gurczak,

Collections Photographer.

Then the map is laid on the pasted lining of Japanese paper.

In the foreground is Katie Boodle making final adjustments.

(l-r)-In the background, Amanda, Suzanne, Monique, Luana,

and Audrey are all prepping for the lining.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Audrey smoothed out the map on the Japanese paper lining.

This step helps to mend tears, fill losses, and provide

additional support to the fragile railway artifact. In the

background, l-r, Amanda, Suzanne, (then unsure, barely

see the back of someone's head ...Katie?), Monique, & Luana. 

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Luana replaced a segment of the edge with Audrey Jawando,

Assistant Conservator, providing a stabilizing pair of hands

to the main document during the reunification.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Ms. Suzanne Gramly, Senior Conservator spraying various

segments of the map that were not attached to the main

document before laying on the lining paper.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Natalia, Suzanne, and Monique Fischer-Senior Photograph

Conservator working to align tears or segments to the

main document. Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections

Photographer.

Amanda Maloney, Associate Photograph & Paper Conservator,

painstakingly locates and sets aside individual map pieces.

These pieces were washed and examined for

identifying marks that will lead the conservators to where

the piece may be rejoined to the main document. In the

background is Natalia Paskova, Assitant-Conservator.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Amanda and Natalia. Hmmm, probably the largest puzzle

they have ever worked with :)

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

After one week of drying, Suzanne and Luana are now rolling

the lined map so the removal of the fabric process can begin.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Luana and Suzanne unroll the fabric with the map still

adhered to the fabric is turned upside down so that the fabric

can be removed.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Luana removed the fabric once the stretch-drying process 

was completed.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Fortunately, the handwritten title and date of the map that

is on the backside and can be read through the lining :)

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Luana aligned a straight edge in preparation for cutting the

border of the lined map.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Luana removed the excess lining from the border of the lined

map. Nearing the final stage of the conservation where the

map will be rolled onto an archival tube.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

Mr. David Joyall, Senior Collections Photographer with Katelyn

Legacy, Collections Photographer, unroll the newly

conserved map in preparation for it to be

photographed to make a facsimile of the map.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

David watched the facsimile exiting the Epson printer.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

David at the far end starts to roll up the facsimile while

Amelia Murphy, Collections Photographer, and Katelyn holds

the reproduction map steady during the process.

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

This brings us back to June 5, 2019, at NEDCC with Luana

and Terrance as I accept the finished products

generated by the collaboration of these wonderfully skilled

professional colleagues at NEDCC. 

Photo by Tim Gurczak, Collections Photographer.

     On Thursday, June 6, I delivered the rolled map, covered with a Melinex sheet and fastened with two cotton-twilled tapes, housed in an archival Tube Box, to Amber Tatnall at the Library of the York County Community College in Wells, Maine. There the original map will be temporarily kept in a safe controlled environment for the Museum Library, while work is being done at the Museum Library. The map will be permanently located at the Museum Library when the Library facilities are prepared to accept the piece.

On Friday, June 7, I visited with Paul R. Libbey. Paul is

a nonagenarian and is the president of a fabric manufacturing

company in Lewiston. He still goes to work every day in the

mill building that his grandfather, W. S. Libbey (builder of the

Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad (which became the 

Portland-Lewiston Interurban July 1914) was bought in the

late 1800s. Paul donated the original PG&LRR map to 

Seashore Trolley Museum late in 2017. I wanted Paul to be

one of the first to see the beautiful facsimile of the map.

Paul was extremely pleased and very impressed with the

quality of work done by the staff at NEDCC in preserving

this amazing piece of electric railway history.

Saturday, June 8, the

Gray Historical Society

held an open house.

They have many important

artifacts in their extensive

Portland-Lewiston Interurban

Collection. PWM

And it was at the open house at the Gray Historical Society

 that Tom Blake, curator for the New Gloucester Historical

Society and I would meet yesterday (Saturday, June 8) so that

he could take a look at the wonderful facsimile map and so

I could hand over a memory stick to him that contained

copies of the fifteen, high-resolution files of the original map.

Tom is a surveyor with the Nadeau Land Surveys: Portland

Maine Land Surveyors. Tom will take a look at the files

of the map with a surveyor's eye toward deciphering the data

listed. With the technology available today, there may be

opportunities to use these map files to create some very

interesting outcomes that overlay today's landscape

and allow us some interesting perspectives in

comparing data from the very early 1900s with today? 

StayTuned :) In the background of this photo is

Kathy Allen Merrill, a West Cumberland friend of mine

and of the Narcissus and a PLI researcher :)

     Well, there you have the story to date. What do you think? We are always looking for additional information on the Narcissus, or any aspect of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. We are looking to have a great exhibit with displays to tell this story and have it in place for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and related activities to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the Narcissus. We have time to make this interpretation programming a spectacular educational resource. Having high-quality digital files of the PLI-related materials will be crucial for being able to provide quality programming. 

What's Next?

Based on the terrific outcome of being able to have the map conserved, I can only imagine the opportunities that await us in having the Scrapbook of the Employees of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban blessed with having the chance to be conserved by the staff at NEDCC.

Let's work together to make that happen. Together, we can do it!

      Cover page of the large scrapbook created by Charles D. Heseltine, using photos, newspaper clippings, and original ephemera from the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI); including poetry, personal cards, notes, and notations from employees and their families. Heseltine passed the

scrapbook on to O. R. Cummings, who in turn, passed it on to the New England Electric Railway Historical Society's (NEERHS) Library. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     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.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

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