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