Best Seat in the House for a parade!
Seashore Trolley Museum's 80th Anniversary Trolley Parade
on July 6, 1919, also had a locomotive :) Above, Theodore
Roosevelt is seated left on a specially-designed "fender" in 1909
(Two years earlier, while TR was still President, the surveyors
completed their survey of the first half of the right-of-way
for the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad).
for the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad).
TR, 110 years ago, steamed westward out of Mombasa and into
the plains of Africa that teemed with impala, wildebeest, ostrich,
and monkeys. The seating arrangement effects on TR may have
led him to find an elegant ride, with plush seats, when he
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's Treasures 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
Register of Historic Places is one of eleven vehicles
on campus built by the Laconia Car Company.
Electric locomotive No. 100 heading to
Highwood in preparation for the parade.
No. 396, was built, in 1900 by the St. Louis Car Company,
for the Boston Elevated Railway. Acquired in 1954.
396 heading back to Highwood exhibit barn.
The City of Manchester is the name of this parlor car.
Built 1897 for the Manchester Street Railway by
Briggs Carriage Company, Amesbury, MA. In 1952,
the "City" became the first trolley anywhere acquired
by a Museum from a source (Malcolm Bustin), other
than a streetcar company. Of course, this practice
became more the norm in the years to follow.
City of Manchester heading back to Highwood
No. 434 (left) from Dallas, TX was built in 1914 by
the American Car Co. of St. Louis, arrived
at the Museum in 1954, and has operated every year in public
service since. And all the way to the right, peeking out of
South Boston exhibit barn is 5821. 5821, also arrived at the
Museum in 1954. It was built in 1921 by the J. G. Brill Co.
and operated on the Boston Elevated Railway.
The Golden Chariot, No. 2, was built in 1906 by
the Montreal Street Railway as a sightseeing observation car
for use during summer tours in Montreal, Ontario, Canada.
The Golden Chariot exits the Riverside exhibit barn
in advance of entering the trolley parade.
Passengers board No. 1227 at Morrison Hill Station. 1227,
along with 4387 and 1267 went on a mainline trip after the
parade. 1227 will now return to the visitor center. 1227 was
built 1914 by G. C. Kuhlman Car Co., Cleveland, OH,
for the Cleveland Railway
1227 departs the visitor center loop on a mainline
trip following the parade.
1227 arrives at Morrison Hill Station
1227 waits at Morrison Hill Station as 4387
moves forward on the shop lead, making room
for 1267 to also advance onto the shop lead. 1227
then departs for the visitor center loop.
No. 639, a Cincinnati Car Company-"curved-side"
built 1924 for West Virginia's Wheeling Traction Company.
Here it awaits outside the Riverside exhibit barn for
its turn to enter the parade.
No. 1267 was the very first car to operate at the Museum
via electricity generated by the Museum's own service, 1953.
The "gate car" was built by the Transit Supply Company in
1907 and operated in Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.
1267 departs the visitor center loop on a mainline
trip after the parade ended.
1267 arriving at Morrison Hill Station.
1267 departs Morrison Hill Station for the
visitor center loop.
Earlier in the morning, No. 4387 basks in the
sunshine outside the restoration shop, while
2890 (the faint headlight on the right inside the
shop) is having finishing work that will
allow it to make its operating debut following
major motor work.
And 2890 peeks out of the shop into the welcoming rays of the morning sun.
The "youngest" member of the Museum's Laconia Car Company
family is No. 4387, a semi-convertible,
was built in 1918 for Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway.
4387 is here on the shop lead awaiting its turn to enter the
parade. At the controls is Donald Stephenson with many of
the Stephenson family members in the car. Donald's
grandfather, Lester Stephenson, Sr. was an early member of
the Museum. Lester, Sr., was the last motorman to
operate No. 4387 when it finished its public service for
Eastern Mass Rwy in 1946. Les, Sr. brokered the deal
that brought 4387 to the Museum in 1946. Donald's lineage
of Museum membership included his father, Lester
Stephenson, Jr., and now extends to a 5th generation!
4387 had been out of service for more than four
years. Here squeezing by 2890 to the shop lead.
Donald Stephenson at the controls of 4387
as it departs the shop lead to enter the parade
and receive the applause of the visitors in
attendance to see this wonderful car reenter
the operating fleet.
4387 departs the visitor center loop for a mainline
trip following the parade.
4387 arrives at Morrison Hill Station.
4387 departs Morrison Hill Station for the
visitor center loop.
No. 2890 arrived at the Museum twenty years ago following a swap
of railway equipment with a museum in Ontario, Canada. Jim Schantz,
seen here at the controls of 2890 at the shop lead stop sign, with
Director of Shop Operations, Rany Leclair in the doorway. Jim lead
the 2890 project over the years which included regauging the
trucks to fit standard gauge track, restoration of the car, and the
recent overhauling of the four motors.
2890 approaching the shop lead stop sign where
it would await its turn to enter the parade.
2890 is a Peter Witt-designed, center-entrance car, that was
built 1923 by the Ottawa Car Company, Ontario, Canada
for use in Toronto.
The Blue Line train of rapid transit cars 0622 and 0623,
built 1978 by Hawker-Siddeley Canada for Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority, rolls to a stop during the parade.
The Blue Line train makes a grand entrance.
BONUS VIDEOS
The Golden Chariot leaves the visitor center loop
on July 2, 2019
The Golden Chariot arrives at Morrison Hill
Station after its mainline trip to Talbott Park
July 2, 2019
No. 1160 was in the parade, I just didn't capture
an image of it during the parade. Here is
1160 departing the visitor center loop on
July 2, 2019. 1160 was built in 1906 by the
John Stephenson Car Company for the
Connecticut Company in New Haven, CT.
Electric locomotive No. 300 was built by
Baldwin Motor Works, Philadelphia, PA\ in 1920
for the Oshawa Railway in Ontario, Canada.
Here it is on June 29, 2019, as it was used to
shift vehicles in preparation for the parade.
In the background, No. 434 from Dallas, TX
departs the visitor center loop for a mainline trip.
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would-running full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Patricia Pierce Erikson photo
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
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