Monday, October 28, 2019

Student & Educator Research Resources - Teddy Roosevelt, Millie and the Elegant Ride 2019 (2022 update)

Welcome to the Educator Resources post for: 
 Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride

These companion curriculum State-standard-based units for

classroom use in grades 3-5 & 6-8 is now available as

open-access resources online through Seashore Trolley

Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/ and

online at Maine Memory Network with other statewide K-12

lesson plans.


Independent Book Publisher, Phil Morse, with
2020 Gold Winner Plaque for The Eric Hoffer
Book Award in the Middle Reader category for
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive.
Bronze winner - 2020 Moonbeam Children's
Book Award, Silver winner - 2019 eLit Award 
2020 Notable Book - Bluseink Starred Review

A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube 


Resource for Classroom Teachers and Homeschool Instruction.

Unit Development:


Vocabulary Activities (Grades 3-8) are based on Tier Two vocabulary words extrapolated from

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride text using the Maine Department of Education

online Academic Word FinderAdditional grade-level vocabulary words are identified and marked using the

Wordsmyth Vocabulary Inventory (WVI) grade-level band identifier. These are now available as

open-access resources online through Seashore Trolley Museum's website

www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/


Vocabulary and Reading activities include grade-specific Tier Two words from

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride, including; words to define, crossword puzzles,

word search, chapter discussion questions, figurative language activities, etc.

Appendix of vocab words in their sentences, in alphabetical order, with chapter, page,

Tier Two/WVI band identifier noted. These are now available as open-access resources

online through Seashore Trolley Museum's website

www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/ 


Social Studies Units (History and ELA)

Woven into the Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ridestory are topics that provide opportunities

to help students discover and expand their use and understanding of history, social studies,

language arts,

and science. Following the guidance of the Maine Department of Education, these lesson plan units target the

2019 Maine Learning Results for Social Studies and

Common Core State Standards:

English Language Arts Standards > History/Social Studies > Grades 6-8.The lesson plans in this companion

to the curriculum explores a variety of topics including the history of the trolley used in

early 20th century Maine, farm and rural life at the turn of the century, the story of

Theodore Roosevelt and his relationship with Maine, WWI, and the flu

the pandemic of 1918-1920.


Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson plan units inspired

by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These companion curricula State-standard-based

units for classroom use in grades 3-5 & 6-8 are now available as open-access

resources online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's website

www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/ and online at

Maine Memory Network with other statewide K-12 lesson plans. 


Content Areas and Strands:

* Social Studies - Civics & Government

* Social Studies - Geography

* Social Studies - History


Duration: 8-18 days


Time-Period: 1851-1920


Bicentennial Themes:

* Living in Maine

* The Business of Maine

* Maine Leads

* The Maine Character


Intended Outcomes:

  • Students will practice the skills involved in researching and analyzing primary sources.
  • Students will practice historical research skills.
  • Students will be able to identify different modes of transportation historically used in Maine
  • Students will be able to answer why the use of the trolley system was innovative and efficient.
  • Students will be able to identify different types of trolley cars that were used in Maine.
  • Students will be able to describe the history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and the Narcissus.
  • Students will be able to describe the shift from small family farms to commercial farming in ME.
  • Students will be able to identify the major agricultural industries and products historically associated with Maine.
  • Students will be able to describe life on an early 20th-century Maine family farm and how life has changed in Maine since the early 1900s.
  • Students will be able to describe the difference between attending school in the early 20th century and attending school today.
  • Students will be able to explain Theodore Roosevelt's connections to Maine and the people of Maine.
  • Students will be able to describe the work and accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Students will be able to describe the platform of the Bull Moose Party.
  • Students will be able to explain the role and duties of the president of the United States.
  • Students will consider what qualities and skills would make a person a good candidate for President of the United States.
  • Students will be able to describe the lives, work, and contributions of Americans on the home front during World War I using primary resources.
  • Students will be able to explain what propaganda is and how it was used by the U. S. government during World War I.
  • Students will be able to describe what many soldiers faced during World War I.
  • Students will be able to describe the impact of the 1918-1920 flu pandemic on World War I and the people in Maine.

Titles of Companion Lesson Plan Units

* "Clang, Clang, Clang, Went the Trolley..."
* Then and Now: Life in Maine
* Maine Agriculture
* The Narcissus and the PLI (Portland-Lewiston Interurban)
* Teddy Roosevelt in Maine
* President Theodore Roosevelt 
* World War l Letters
* United States Home Front and Propaganda during World War l

Vocabulary (Word banks and Reading activities) for grades 3-8, along with grades 6-8 ELA and History/Social Studies unit lesson plans are available now at www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/

Links to blog posts that include materials related to Lesson Plans above - More will be added over time

* "Clang, Clang, Clang, Went the Trolley..."
Click Here:  Destinations Travel Times by Trolley "In-State" and to "Out-of-State"
Click Here: Field Guide to Maine Trolley Car Types - the 1870s-1930s
Click Here: Poetry Inspired by Trolleys and Operators 1898-1940

* Then and Now: Life in Maine
Click Here: Mildred Knowles Obrey 1908-2007 Oral History Transcript

* The Narcissus and the PLI (Portland-Lewiston Interurban)
Click Here: Narcissus and the PLI 

Continue to scroll down to see links and resources People, Places, and Events in Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride.

The ebook is available through Amazon Kindle Click HERE

The audiobook is now available Click HERE to go to the Audible page.

2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook below

Click Here to go to the People, Places, and Events online resource post

An image of an original porcelain advertising artifact that was
displayed at the ticket purchasing desk in Lewiston Carhouse
of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban on Middle Street.

 
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride Read along as young Millie grows up in rural Gray, Maine, early in the 20th century. Award-winning Maine author, Jean Flahive, tells us a story through the life and times of Millie and some of her experiences, over the years, with certain people, places, and events that we now know are woven into our common local and national history. Jean's storytelling skillfully rekindles the local romance for the elegant electric interurbans. The original six, each named after a flower, carried passengers on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban from 1914 through 1933. Lewiston businessmen, W. S. Libbey, and Henry Dingley brought them to serve the cities of Portland, Auburn, and Lewiston, and the more rural communities of New Gloucester, Gray, West Cumberland, and West Falmouth, during some of the early years of the 20th century. Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, is currently restoring the Narcissus, the only surviving electric interurban from that storied line. 

For me, one of the real treats will be as readers of this heart-warming story become familiar with and hopefully endeared to the Narcissus. Readers will learn that they can follow the progress of the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places Portland-Lewiston Interurban icon, Narcissus, to its completion... and then...come to Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, Maine, and go for an actual ride on the Narcissus! My sense is, that many readers will find this opportunity to be a very appealing extension of the lovely story. One that they and future readers will be able to enjoy for many, many years.

Initial plans for the ribbon-cutting celebration activities started with planning to evolve into several very exciting events over several days. Readers of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride will learn from Millie about her deep, life-long connections to the Narcissus, and will literally, be able to experience the "elegant ride" themselves!

Throughout Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride there are references made to various People, Places, and Events that are woven into the everyday lives of the characters as they experience the early years of the 20th century. Below are links to online sources to assist in conducting research concerning these major people, places, and events mentioned in Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The person, place, or event may be a separate listing or it may be included within a grouping of a related topic. This is the initial post and the expectation is that over time, the resources listed on the page will continue to be edited and new ones added.

People, Places, and Events in Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride with online links to resources

Auburn, Maine
Auburn -  City Website  City of Auburn, Maine
Auburn & Lewiston - Court Street, PLI sites, maps, etc. Narcissus Project blog
Auburn - Androscoggin River City of Auburn
Auburn - Court Street  City of Auburn
Auburn - Deer Rips (Dam)  City of Auburn  - W. S. Libbey and Henry Dingley were the businessmen behind the construction of the Deer Rips Dam. There is a reference to the construction of the dam in the biography of W. S. Libbey that was written by his grandchildren - Click Here to read the biography in the Narcissus Project Blog
Auburn - North Bridge  City of Auburn
Additional online resources for Auburn:
Androscoggin Historical Society
TR Visits to Auburn - TR Heritage Trail post

Camp Fire Girls
Handbook Outsideonline.com
Dr. Luther Gulick and Charlotte Gulick Cornerstone Books
Camp Wohelo  wohelo.com at Sebago Lake
Camp Fire Girls  Ames History Museum
Boy Scouts  Boy Scouts of America
Red Cross  Red Cross

Dark Harbor/Islesboro, Maine

TR's visit to Dark Harbor TR Maine Heritage Trail post
Additional online resources for Islesboro and Dark Harbor:
Dark Harbor map  Town of Islesboro
Islesboro, Maine  Town of Islesboro
Islesboro Historical Society

Henry Dingley - W. S. Libbey and Henry Dingley were business partners for many years. There is a reference to how they met and their early business dealings together in the biography of W. S. Libbey written by his grandchildren - Click Here to read the biography in the Narcissus Project Blog

Gray, Maine -
Gray  Town of Gray
Civil War monument in Gray Town of Gray
Book resources for Gray:
Images of America - Gray, Maine (Antonio's Store, Armistice Parade, Cobbs Hill, Colley Hill Farm, Gray Corners, Gray Town Hall, Hancock School, Osgood's Ice Cream Parlor, Pennell Institute, South Gray Elementary School, Sweetser General Store, Week's Hill, Yarmouth Road,
Online resources for Gray:
Gray Historical Society

Grippe, Influenza, Spanish Flu, Epidemic, and Pandemic
Maine Timeline for Pandemic Maine.gov (Capt. Lawry - Secretary of State Senate (Maine) visited Camp Devens, got sick, and died)
Camp Devens - history U.S. Army
U. S. Surgeon General William Gorgas U.S. Army

Island Falls, Maine
Island Falls VisitMaine.com
Other online resources:
Island Falls Historical Society (Facebook Page)
Theodore Roosevelt visits Island Falls - TR Maine Heritage Trail post

Indian Tribes - Maine
Wabanaki Nation Four Direction Development Corp
Abbe Museum Abbe Museum

Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston  City of Lewiston
The Lewiston Walking History tour  City of Lewiston (Lisbon St., Pecks, Leadbetter's, Libbey Mill, etc.) Lewiston and Auburn Narcissus Project Blog (LisbonStreet, PLI sites, maps, etc.)
TR Visits to Lewiston - TR Maine Heritage Trail post

W. Scott Libbey - Various blog posts on the life of W.S.Libbey:
The Man and His Mill - Click Here for the blog on the biography by the Libbey grandchildren

McGuffey Reader
McGuffey Reader (School book) PDF Gutenberg.org

Narcissus
What is a Narcissus? Gardenia.net
Newspaper story on how W.S. Libbey chose the names of the original interurbans is here...Lewiston Evening Journal...must scroll to Friday, June 26, 1914 - Front Page "Inspected The Libbey Road: Railroad Commissioners' Official Trip Over P, G, & L, Friday - to read the full story, you will need to scroll to page 11 News.Google.com

New Gloucester, Maine
New Gloucester - Map Town of New Gloucester
Other online resources:
New Gloucester Historical Society

Portland, Maine -
Portland City of Portland
Map - Downtown (Current) City of Portland
1909 Portland street map Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society (Streets: Commercial, Crn.Free & Brown, Exchange, Federal, India, Middle, Monument Square, Temple, (waterfront, wharves, seaport)
Falmouth Hotel - Lobby 1900  Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
Grand Trunk Railroad Station Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
S. S. Kresge Company ("Five and Dime") Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
Lincoln Park City of Portland
Union Station (Railroad Station) DigitalMaine
Porteous Department Store - (Christmas Store) Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
Other online resources:
History of Trolleys in Portland (Monument Square) Narcissus Project Blog
Maine Historical Society

Portland-Lewiston Interurban was originally named the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad 
Map details that show areas mentioned in the story...rivers, various stops, etc...reference to cow tunnels, gates, etc., - newspaper story:
Click Here for the link to the Lewiston Evening Journal story of the June 26, 1914 inspection trip by the Maine Railroad Commissioners with many details of the line. When opening the link, the first newspaper, June 23, 1914. You must scroll to the front page of June 26, 1914. The beginning of the article starts on the front page. You must scroll to page 11 (Inspected the Libbey Roads) to read the remaining article.
Click Here for the link to the Lewiston Daily Sun story of the June 26, 1914 inspection trip as reported on page 6 on June 27, 1914. When opening the link, the first newspaper, June 26, 1914. You must scroll to the June 27th edition and go to page six. the complete summary is on this single page.

Seashore Trolley Museum
Seashore Trolley Museum TrolleyMuseum.org
Kennebunkport, Maine Town of Kennebunkport
Other online resources:
Kennebunkport, Maine  Kennebunkport Business Assoc
Kennebunkport Historical Society -

Suffrage/Women's Rights
Maine and National  Maine Suffrage Centennial
Women's Suffrage At Last (42-c) USHistory.org
Florence Whitehouse - suffragette/publicist Red Cross - Maine items - Maine Memory Network
Federal Suffrage amendment - Maine and National resources Maine Suffrage Centennial
TR quotes in support of Women's Rights Theodore Roosevelt Association
TR at Sagamore Hill with Suffragettes Library of Congress video
19th Amendment to the Constitution Interactive Constitution

Theodore Roosevelt
His Life and Times on Film -  Timeline - Library of Congress
Theodore Roosevelt Timeline - World War I  Theodore Roosevelt Center
Theodore Roosevelt Timeline - The Life of Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Brief Biography Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Connections to Maine Narcissus Project Blog
TR - 26th President of the U.S. Whitehouse.gov
TR - Rough Rider in the White House (43a) USHistory.org
TR - Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt (First Wife) Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Alice Lee Roosevelt (First Daughter) Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Edith Carrow Roosevelt (Second Wife) Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Spanish-American War Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - "Remember the Maine!" (44c)  USHistory.org
TR - Spanish-American War and Its Consequences (44d) USHistory.org
TR - 1912 Presidential Election (43f) USHistory.org
TR - Amazon Expedition/River of Doubt-Videos Library of Congress
TR - Malaria MentalFloss
TR - Panama Hat President1906
TR - My Debt to Maine (Bible Point and TR's letter) Narcissus Project blog
TR - Sagamore Hill National Park Service
TR - Sagamore Hill Friends of Sagamore Hill
TR - Died January 6, 1919/Young Memorial Cemetery-Video Library of Congress
TR - Quotes ("Feet on the Ground...") Goodreads
TR - General Wood  First World War

TR Children WW I - Library of Congress videos
Sons in Regiments - WWI-Video Library of Congress
Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt, Jr (First Son) Theodore Roosevelt Center
Kermit Roosevelt (Second Son) Theodore Roosevelt Center
Archibald (Archie) Roosevelt (Third Son) Theodore Roosevelt Center
Quentin (Fourth Son) Military.com
Ethel Roosevelt (Second Daughter) Theodore Roosevelt Center

TR and the Badlands/Dakota Territory
Timeline  Theodore Roosevelt Center

William (Bill) W. Sewall
William W. Sewall Theodore Roosevelt Center
Bill Sewall & Wilmot Dow - National Park Service
Mattawamkeag, Maine (train station) Mattawamkeag Facebook page
"The County" - Aroostook County

Politics
Bull Moose Party Britannica.com
Bull Moose Party Progressivism Sweeps the Nation 42 USHistory.org
Progressive Party - Student-Teacher Resource Study.com
Progressive Party U-S-History.com
Republican Party - 1916 UCSB.edu
Conservative/Progressive wings of Republican Party 1916 Library of Congress
Democratic Party - 1916 UCSB.edu
William McKinley (25th President of the U. S.) Whitehouse.gov
William Howard Taft (27th President of U. S.) Whitehouse.gov
Woodrow Wilson (28th President of the U. S.) Whitehouse.gov
Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom-43g USHistory.org
Charles Evan Hughes ConstitutionCenter.org

Wason Manufacturing Company -
Wason Manufacturing Company Midcontinent Blog on Wason Manufacturing (the trolley manufacturing portion begins towards the end of page two)

West Cumberland, Maine
Cumberland
Cumberland Fair History Cumberlandfair.com
Other online resources:
Cumberland Historical Society

West Falmouth, Maine
Falmouth City of Falmouth
Other online resources:
Falmouth Historical Society


WWI/The Great War -
Timeline (Includes index to all the years/months/days) FirstWorldWar.com
Wilson pledged neutrality FirstWorldWar.com
Cunard's Ocean Liner Lusitania - Ireland/British waters/German Submarines/U-Boats/torpedos
Diplomatic relations off w/Germany...American Liner ship Housatonic sunk the next day...arms deal..other ships sunk FirstWorldWar.com
Joint Session of Congress 4/2/17 - declare War 4-6-17 FirstWorldWar
Conscription/Draft FirstWorldWar.com
Liberty Bonds/Thrift Stamps - Federal Reserve & teacher plans at Study.com
U. S. Treasury Secretary William McAdoo-War/Liberty Bonds/Stamps FirstWorldWar.com
Camp Devens, Ayer, MA - WWI Training Camps FirstWorldWar.com ForcesNetwork
War is over - Armistice FirstWorldWar

Contact Information:
email: p.morse31@gmail.com

Cell phone: 207-985-9723

Linkedin: Phil Morse - Project Manager for the Narcissus - 1912
Facebook: Phil Morse - Seashore Trolley Museum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Fifty Years Ago on Thursday - Halloween - The Narcissus Arrived

The Narcissus as she looked when secured to the "Highway
Monster" upon arrival at Seashore Trolley Museum on
Halloween, 1969. This image by Norman Down was taken in
the spring of 1970 

     Thursday, October 31, 2019, Halloween, will mark the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Narcissus arriving at its new home, Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, Maine. Further along in the post is the write-up from the 1969 Annual Report of how the Narcissus was able to be acquired.

     The Narcissus is the sole surviving high-speed wooden interurban from the legendary Portland-Lewiston Interurban system which operated between the two major population centers in Maine and had the honor to have Theodore Roosevelt as a passenger on August 18, 1914.  The Narcissus is currently under restoration in Seashore Trolley Museum's Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration shop and is expected to be restored to operating condition in two years. The PLI ended service in late June of 1933.

     The Narcissus, along with nine other historic Maine railway vehicles held in trust within the Museum's extensive collection, have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.

     We are very excited to report that the new historical fiction chapter book, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride, written by award-winning Maine author, Jean Flahive, that features the PLI and its majestic bouquet of interurbans, including the Narcissus, arrived this past week and is now available to purchase from the Museum store. Just in time to help commemorate the 50th Anniversary arrival of the Narcissus to Seashore Trolley Museum's campus!!

Click Here to go to the Museum store's online order page for the book. We will continue the pre-order special of shipping a signed copy by the author of the book until November 15th. 

Author Jean Flahive will be at Seashore Trolley Museum's store to sign books on the first Saturday of Kennebunkport's Prelude, December 7, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

New Book sales to benefit the Narcissus and 
Seashore Trolley Museum arrived :)

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride.

Bookmarks arrived as well 

Large postcards will be used to spread the
good news! Books are in :)

Are you a Social Studies teacher in Maine? Jean and I will be staffing the Seashore Trolley Museum exhibit table at the Social Studies Conference in Augusta, Maine, on Monday, November 4. Stop by and visit us!

Jean and I will be selling and signing copies of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride from 9 a.m. till noon, on Saturday, November 2, at the New Gloucester Historical Society.
Come visit us :)

1969 Annual Report (page 6) New England Electric Railway Historical Society/Seashore Trolley Museum

     Interest in this car body, which has finally arrived at Seashore, is as old as the Society itself. Starting in 1937 there were annual trips run on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railway system operating out of Lewiston on the 19th of April. One of the highlights of the Sabattus line was the once-a-year inspection of the beautifully preserved body of Laconia number 14, which has been better known by its name the Narcissus. It was during such a trip on April 19th, 1939, that three of Seashore's Pioneers were making the first plans to acquire a Biddeford and Saco open car in June or July, whenever the buses would arrive to take over New England's last regular open trolley operation.

     Later on, when two of these Founders were getting initiated into the Street Railway business the hard way, in the backyard of the Saco car barn, getting the first car of the first Trolley Museum rigged to make it over the road journey to a small piece of land in Kennebunkport; there was little need to recall the Narcissus slumbering away in Sabattus because only 8 miles away at Bay View, reposed the sister car, number 10, the Arbutus. Far more famous for running the first and last trip over the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and appropriately preserved in fully operating condition on a section of real rails and ties from the line, on the property of Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony, daughter of the famed interurban builder, W. Scott Libby, there was every reason to hope that if the fledgling Society became successful, this handsome and complete Interurban might be donated to this new Seashore Electric Railway. But, this was not to be the case, as the car was broken up during World War II at a time when many of our members were overseas.

A more famous sister to the Narcissus, the Arbutus is seen here
on display at Gertrude Libbey Anthony's home in Bay View,
Saco, Maine. Image from O. R. Cummings 1967 book,
"Maine's Fast Electric Railroad."

     Over the years, rumors continued to persist that the Narcissus was still remarkably well-preserved and the Society, by now was sufficiently equipped with transportation equipment, and willing to gamble on acquiring a car body of merit that might be re-equipped at a later date. Accordingly, contact was made with the owner, Mr. J. Henri Vallee of Lewiston.  By then, the general manager of the Museum, Dwight B. Minnick, and a verbal agreement was made that the car could be acquired by the Society in exchange for equivalent housing if so done before Mr. Vallee's retirement.

J. Henri Vallee in Sabattus, Maine. The  Narcissus is in the
background. The roof frames for the new
"replacement" house can be seen in the background to the right.
Image courtesy of Daniel A. Vallee.

     Mr. Vallee, it appeared, had been a passenger on the Interurban on both the first and last days of operation and had a sentimental attachment to it and the excellent state of preservation of the car bore testimony to this.

     Various portable houses were looked into but fell short of expectations. It was concluded that a simply framed house would have to be built. On at least three separate occasions in the intervening years, Museum personnel attempted valiantly to enlist the local interest and get some sort of a project going so that title could be obtained to the Narcissus. For a multiplicity of reasons these endeavors failed. One ray of hope came, however, in 1965 when through the intercession of Governor Reed of the State of Maine, a pair of suitable Baldwin motor trucks were made available by the Canadian National, from their Oshawa Railway subdivision.

     More enthusiasm for the project began to be generated by our growing Portland group, many of whom had worked their way up in our summer shop force and could visualize the results that could be obtained with the Narcissus if once gotten to the Museum's own shop. In 1967 Museum member, William Dox of Portland was asked by Trustees of Seashore to contact Mr. Vallee and see if the offer was still open. Once confirmed, Society historian and trustee O. R. Cummings, in the process of rewriting his history of the PLI, decided to turn over the funds that he had raised for another project, to the Narcissus fund and to make available all over-cost proceeds from the publication and sale of "Maine's Fast Electric Railway". This generous offer of O. R. Cummings gave the project the impetus that was needed, not only was time running out on the offer but, the deterioration was setting in on the car. The trustees appointed a committee composed of Cummings, Donald Curry, John Coughlin, William Dox, Jr.,  and John H. Fancy until he became too occupied in other areas.

O. R. Cummings's book that he signed over the
royalties to the  Narcissus fund. PWM

     Basic work accomplished by the committee was the building up of a fund to pay for the labor involved and locating a builder who would undertake to complete the exterior of the building within these limits. And then through interest generated in the project, securing the donations of the actual building materials needed. A necessary adjunct was, of course, a selection of basic house designs so that a bill of materials could be drawn up. A USDA extension service dwelling was selected as a prototype. Also, a legal agreement had to be drawn up for signature by both parties which enabled the Museum to erect a dwelling structure on Mr. Vallee's premises as well as assure the donation of the car body to the Museum when the new structure had been closed in and become weather-tight.

     As soon as the PLI history was published, every effort was made to concentrate its promotion and distribution in the areas formerly served by the Interurban. Newspapers in the Portland and Lewiston areas were cooperative in relating all newsworthy developments in the campaign. By the fall of 1968 sufficient funds were on hand to get the project underway. As soon as commitments of donations for 80% of the materials required for the building had been received as a result of some 40 solicitations, a search was instituted for a builder willing to undertake the erection of a building satisfactory to Mr. Vallee's needs and within the means of the special fund.

     Due to extremely bad weather setting in by late October (1968), the first builder found himself bowing out because of other commitments but recommended Mr. Joseph R. Blais of the Lewiston area, as one of the few other builders able to construct such a dwelling within the limitations set forth. Museum forces then came up and worked on two of the nastiest weekends on record, in the alternating pouring rain and heavy snow moved the body of the "Narcissus" off of its footings onto temporary blocking and separated and removed other appendages as necessary. But, despite their valiant efforts to get the operation back on schedule,  even worse weather followed. The project had to be called off until late May of 1969. From this point on, all progressed smoothly, the builder following the letter of authorization to within a margin of some $24.

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers arranged to move the
Narcissus onto the "Highway Monster." Image courtesy of
Daniel A. Vallee.

     On July 30th, 1969, Mr. Vallee signed and delivered the transfer of title to the Narcissus to the committee members closing what was probably the longest, most arduous, and most expensive acquisition project ever undertaken by the Society.

The Narcissus loaded on the "Highway Monster" connected to
Seashore Trolley Museum's "Mack", with J. Henri Vallee's
new home in the background.
Image courtesy of Daniel A. Vallee

     The story doesn't end here, however, as the course of the acquisition of the building materials, commitments were made to try to give the donors a certain amount of advertising publicity in return for their donations, some of which ran to well over $300 in value. This was to be done by fixing a side banner on each side of the car, under the windows, indicating the names of donors of materials. For this and various other reasons, a small deficit was incurred in the project, which has since been met by donations from members of the committee and members of the Libbey family who have shown a great deal of interest in the project.

     Preparations for the trip were being made, but because of the general activity of the summer at the Museum and the non-availability of transport equipment, the Narcissus sat at its prior location, waiting for the next step. Finally, in early October, a large crew of 12 members of the Society, in a solid weekend's work, moved the body aboard the "Highway Monster", which had been skillfully maneuvered into position alongside the body a month before. Meanwhile, Mrs. Eleanor Libbey Awalt of Auburn, who had consented to and started work with the acquisition committee a year before in the raising of funds, provision of publicity in the Lewiston, Auburn, and New Gloucester areas, acted as a clearinghouse for that purpose, alerted news media and historical groups along the route on the impending move.

     A certain amount of showmanship and ingenuity came into play to make the "Narcissus" look the part. The weather letter boards were covered over with masonite strips painted in Pullman Green and authentically lettered, Portland-Lewiston Interurban,  and corrugated aluminum was fitted on lower sections missing matchboard, and also hastily painted Pullman Green. The illusion was quite good and the excellent conditions of the stained glass windows did much to help this.

The Portland-Lewiston Interurban masonite strips from 1969
are still in place on the Narcissus on October 23, 2017, as
restoration work continues on the exterior. PWM

     The long-awaited move took place on Halloween of 1969. Despite delays with last-minute requirements for a house moving permit, excellent planning and skillful maneuvering of the Mack and Highway Monster aided by an alert escort made it possible not only to retrace, as closely as possible, the interurbans old route through Lewiston-Auburn, New Gloucester, Gray, and West Cumberland, but, even to its street run in Portland via Forest Avenue, Congress Street, and Monument Square. Finally, after its 35-year lonely vigil at Sabattus, The "Narcissus" joined its new family at the Trolley Museum. A costly acquisition indeed, but, the car is basically sound, most of the needed equipment is now on hand, and its restoration is scheduled to get underway this summer with an enthusiastic crew.

Banner remnants from the 1969 road trip of the Narcissus
traveling from Sabattus Pond to Seashore Trolley Museum
the Narcissus shortly after it entered the Donald G. Curry
Town House Restoration Shop. PWM

     The Narcissus has been at the Museum for Fifty years and it now has its turn to be restored to full operating status. It is currently in the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. Work is underway on phase one, to restore the exterior of the Narcissus. Adequate funds have been raised to finish the restoration. The fundraising for the Narcissus now focuses on the interpretation plans that will tell the amazing story the Narcissus has to tell. Please continue reading below for some of the options for contributing to the Narcissus Project. Thank You

     Thank you to everyone helping the Narcissus to this point. We still need to continue to collectively spread the word about the project. I encourage you to invite others to join the effort to bring this beauty back into being the majestic, elegant, operating representative of Maine's premier electric interurban railway.

     One way to explain what the Narcissus project is about is by sharing the posts from the Narcissus project blog: www.narcissus1912.blogspot.com

Lots of folks find the posts very interesting.

The blog is a great way to spread the news of Narcissus.

Let's keep it going :)

Planning for gifts?

Boxes of ten greeting cards, with envelopes, are now available to purchase. 100% of the proceeds from these sales will benefit the Narcissus

Greeting Cards of Narcissus in "Fast Friends" by
Maine artist, Wade Zahares.

Wording on the back of "Fast Friends"

Greeting Cards of Morrison Hill Station of
"Waiting for the Narcissus" by
Maine artist, Wade Zahares.

Greeting Cards:
Box of Ten (10) with envelopes - 4"x 6" - blank inside - Available at the Museum Store and the online store page

A look back at work on the Narcissus during the first couple of years it was in the restoration shop

Restoration work will continue on the exterior of the Narcissus. 

All roof ribs were removed, repaired, primed, and replaced.
Ten needed to be replaced. The left side has had its end boards
secured to the roof rib tenons. The right side end boards are
nearly all in place.  Image 10-23-17 PWM

Donald Curry working on securing the right
side end boards to the roof rib tenons.
10-23-17 PWM

Major side sill and bolster work is in the early stages of work.
The bolster will be removed, assessed, repaired, pieces
replaced as necessary, primed, painted, and then reinstalled.
Side sills and the attached steel channel will be removed,
assessed, repaired, and replaced as necessary. 10-23-17 PWM

Morrison Hill Station

The petite 1915 Portland-Lewiston Interurban waiting station, originally located in West Cumberland (ME) has had; window and door sills replaced and painted. Window trim boards replaced and painted, metal roof edges repaired and painted, the west-facing roof panels sanded and painted, exterior walls (yellow) north, south, and west repainted, and the tiny wooden electrical box that feeds the 600 volts (DC) lights of the building fully rebuilt, primed and painted, and many interior upgrades. All these improvements (and a few more to follow) are in preparation for the building to be the home of an exhibit about the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.

This picture was taken on October 23, 2017. 1915
Morrison Hill station looks great with fresh upgrades and
paint. PWM

Inside Morrison Hill station. New floating oak flooring,
newly painted kickboards, trim, and awaiting installation.
10-20-17 PWM

Interior of Narcissus

Patented interlocking rubber floor tiles in the smoking
compartment and down the center aisle of the passenger
compartment floor of the Narcissus. We will be seeking
contractors and prices on making new tiles, as well as
seeking solutions to properly repair the tiles, if possible,
for reuse. 10-23-2017 PWM

upholstered seats from scratch. We have prices from two foundries
to cast all the various metal components. Funding the cost to
cast original patterns and then the various components is the
highest priority for fundraising now. Image of Interior of 1912,
Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 16, Clematis. This
image has the viewer peering down the aisle towards the number
two end of the Clematis. Image from Seashore Trolley Museum

One of the original passenger windows in its
mahogany sash has been restored along with seventeen
others. Six will have to be made from scratch.
PWM

One of the newly restored (5 of 8 completed so far)
mahogany sash windows that are contained in the two
bulkheads. Additional interior work will include rewiring
the Narcissus. When the body was the Vallee summer home,
120-volt household wiring was added and much of the original
wire was removed. October 2017 image PWM

The center ceiling panels have ornate
gold leaf fleur-de-lis. The interior walls are
all mahogany with an inlay of Ebony-Holly-
Ebony. The forty, leaded stained glass
windows
 above the passenger windows
are breathtaking. PWM

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