1897 programme for the Riverton Park Theatre. The original
1896, restaurant and casino, is seen here. The building was
enlarged in 1898. Image courtesy of the
Portland Maine History 1786 to Present.
A resource for educators
Maine Historical Society has created companion lesson plans inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans are for classroom use in grades 6, 7, and 8. The lesson plans and companion vocabulary and reading activities are available as free downloads through the Seashore Trolley Museum's website at www.trolleymuseum.org/eleganttide or Click Here
The eight Social Studies/ELA units were also uploaded to the Maine Memory Network and are available with other statewide lesson plans K12.
The audiobook is now available Click HERE to go to the Audible page. the eBook is available Here
This blog post was created specifically to support the new lesson plan titled:
* Then and Now: Life in Maine
Objectives:
* Students will practice the skills involved in analyzing primary sources.
* 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 differences between attending school in the early 20th century and attending school today.
Primary-source oral history interviews will continue to be added to this blog as research resources:
Here is a personal accounting, by Gladys Plummer Anderson (1889-1983) of Cumberland Center, of her recollections from visiting Riverton Park in Portland, Maine as reported in an op-ed:
Cumberland Center, Maine
May 18, 1978
Landmarks Observer
Portland, Maine
Dear Sirs,
When I read your article about Riverton Park it brought back happy memories of my childhood
days, and later. I started going to Riverton Park in 1898 when I was ten years old. I will be 89 in
September and I doubt if there are very many people living now who can remember Riverton as
it flourished in those days. It was a real summer Paradise for both old and young, especially for
summer guests who came to Maine.
days, and later. I started going to Riverton Park in 1898 when I was ten years old. I will be 89 in
September and I doubt if there are very many people living now who can remember Riverton as
it flourished in those days. It was a real summer Paradise for both old and young, especially for
summer guests who came to Maine.
Trolley cars were the main attraction (no autos) and the fare was only five cents from Portland,
and that included a free ticket to the outdoor theatre where there were large stone steps and
a tree here and there for shade. I can still visualize the boys in white jackets, carrying large baskets
of hot buttered popcorn, peanuts, saltwater taffy, cold beverages, etc., for five cents each.
and that included a free ticket to the outdoor theatre where there were large stone steps and
a tree here and there for shade. I can still visualize the boys in white jackets, carrying large baskets
of hot buttered popcorn, peanuts, saltwater taffy, cold beverages, etc., for five cents each.
We would carry our lunch and eat it in one of the large four-passenger swing chairs, where
we could listen to music from the Merry-Go-Round. With twenty-five cents in our pockets, we could
enjoy two trolley car rides, buy a bag of popcorn, a cold drink, (and) one ride on the Merry-Go-Round,
besides all the free attractions.
The casino looked like a mansion to us kids with its carpeted floors and a spacious dining room
where delicious meals were served for $1.00. And that was a lot of money in those days.
To the left of the grand Riverton Park Casino, you can see
the Boathouse and Pride's Bridge (but not the Presumpscot
River). Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_107
The dining room in the casino of Riverton Park. Circa 1919
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_108
The Red Room in the casino at Riverton Park. One of
several rooms that would be used for private parties or
any number of groups that may meet at the casino
for weekly or daily gatherings.
From the Collection of Seashore Trolley Museum.
and the names of the two girls with me, also the date was August 14, 1898. A four-leaf clover
is in the center. That was nearly 70 years ago and I am still carrying it in my purse. The two
girls have passed away.
Handheld mirror souvenir of Riverton Park
showing the casino and bandstand.
Image courtesy of the
Portland Maine History 1786 to Present.
it so it couldn't be removed, and thousands of people drank from the same cup which was never
washed, and I never heard that anyone died from germs, which would be called unsanitary today
I was at Riverton Park the day President McKinley was shot and it was announced
over a speaker. It cast (a) gloom over the park for the rest of the day.
I have never forgotten a song that I heard a fifteen-year-old boy sing on the show. He had a
lovely voice and the three of us 13-year-old girls fell in love with him but kept very quiet about
it and didn't screech and act silly as the young girls do today when they see a good-looking
boy. Girls in those days were more ladylike in public. The name of the song he sang was "Among the Pines of Maine" and it was a beautiful song about Maine. I've often wondered why it never became popular. Too bad we didn't have tv
then.
One of the very early electric trolleys from Westbrook
has arrived and discharged its passengers at Riverton Park.
Bridal shower parties, card parties, and other private groups
could hire a trolley car to transport their group. The bandstand
in this image was one of the many attractions at the park.
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library:
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_31_092
After automobiles replaced the trolley cars, Riverton Park ended, and the lovely casino
was made into a skating rink. Even though it is restored it will never be the same to us oldsters
without the rustic theatre and trolley cars, but may help curb juvenile delinquency which is so prevalent today. In those days we didn't hear very much about the young folks getting into
trouble, they were having too much good clean fun at Riverton Park. Bus rides could never
take the place of trolley cars with the nice rides around the BeltLine for a dime or the rides to
Old Orchard Beach for fifteen cents.
Only us Senior Citizens of 75 or older can remember the good old days when 25 cents
could mean an entire day's pleasure for both old and young at Riverton Park
/s/ Gladys P. Anderson
was made into a skating rink. Even though it is restored it will never be the same to us oldsters
without the rustic theatre and trolley cars, but may help curb juvenile delinquency which is so prevalent today. In those days we didn't hear very much about the young folks getting into
trouble, they were having too much good clean fun at Riverton Park. Bus rides could never
take the place of trolley cars with the nice rides around the BeltLine for a dime or the rides to
Old Orchard Beach for fifteen cents.
A trolley ride around the North Deering BeltLine was a
popular outing in Portland for many years. The trip took just
one hour from Monument Square to the return at the same
point. Shown here in North Deering, No. 151, a 12-bench,
double-truck, open car which was built in 1899 - Photo from
the collection of Charles D. Heseltine - Courtesy Seashore
Trolley Museum Library: O. R. Cummings Collection
2009_2_31_042
Description of PRR trips from a 1910 brochure. PWM
Only us Senior Citizens of 75 or older can remember the good old days when 25 cents
could mean an entire day's pleasure for both old and young at Riverton Park
/s/ Gladys P. Anderson
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 run 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 monthly. 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.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
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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