Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. All images,
unless otherwise noted, are from PWM
I originally released this blog post on December 28, 2015. Reposting it after a server that I originally used to store images in 2015 is offline now for me, so, all the images in all the blog posts that were released the first 15 months were disconnected from the posts...and little by little I'm rebuilding each of those early posts. This is now redone...and re-released :)
Restoration work on the exterior of the 1912 Narcissus is moving along nicely. For these large restoration projects, it is important to be working at the moment, however, you must also be planning for the months of work ahead. With this in mind, the brass components for the Narcissus were removed from storage, photographed, assessed, and inventoried. Some of these components had been cleaned and polished nearly twenty years ago! Other components needed to be cleaned and will be polished later. This post is brass-specific :) Not all brass components are pictured here. These pieces are more evidence of the sheer beauty of this high-speed luxury interurban. Add in the forty ornate leaded stained glass windows, and the Santo Domingo mahogany interior, with inlay, and you have an unbelievable riding experience....and, at up to 80mph! Narcissus represented Maine beautifully to its most prestigious passenger, Colo. Theodore Roosevelt, on August 18, 1914. The 26th President of the United States traveled from Lewiston, ME to Portland, ME in luxury that day!
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!
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
80 years ago on July 5, 1939, a deposit of $108 was made to the Biddeford & Saco Railroad for car 31. The balance of $42 was made in short order and the work proceeded on moving the then 39-year-old 60-passenger J.G. Brill Company-built open car to the original ten acres at what is now the entrance to Seashore Trolley Museum. Car 31 arrived on July 15, 1939. Car 31 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is an official Save America'sTreasures Project. As part of the 80th Anniversary celebration activities, on July 6, 2019, a trolley parade took place at the Museum to commemorate the event from 80 years ago and to have visitors see some of the vehicles that have been acquired. This post will include some photos and some video clips from my position on campus and does not include photos or videos of all the vehicles that participated in the event. Nor are the images/videos in order by which they were presented. Twenty years ago, we took Car 31 home for a visit for the first time in 60 years! To hear the story of how the Museum acquired its first cars, watch Ted Santarelli tell it first-hand, see the video link below :)
A BIG, THANK YOU to all the volunteers and staff that made the parade a Success!
The Birth of Seashore Trolley Museum
by Ted Santarelli. Interviewed and recorded
by Ed Dooks 1987
Car 31 from the Biddeford & Saco Railroad.
Built, in 1900 by the J. G. Brill Company,
Philadelphia, PA
Car 31 heading back to Highwood exhibit barn
after the parade.
Car 38 from Manchester, NH was built in 1906
by the Laconia Car Company and in 1940,
was the second complete electric vehicle
acquired by the Museum.
1906 wooden steeple cap electric locomotive No. 100
from the Atlantic Shore Line Railway. On the National
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!
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
