1939 - A Quick Reflection to the Beginning

July 15, 1939 - Biddeford and Saco Railroad open car No. 31 heading to its new home in Kennebunkport. As described by Ted Santarelli in his interview below. Car 31 was connected to a tow truck which was connected to a second truck. The second truck was attached to the front of the wrecker to keep the front wheels of the tow truck on the road. The weight of the streetcar made the front wheels lift off the ground. Image courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum.

As the Seashore Trolley Museum has just concluded its regular season public operations for 2021, I thought a reflection as to how it all began in 1939, 82 years ago, would be nice. Below is a link to an interview with Ted Santarelli and his first-hand accounting of how things unfolded and how the first couple of streetcars were acquired (1900 open car No. 31 from the Biddeford & Saco Railroad and 1906 interurban No. 38 from Manchester & Nashua Street Railway.) 

Thank you to Ed Dooks for recording the interview and digitizing the original VHS tapes.

"This is the way we started, with one car, with no great thought that we were going to have more cars or that we would develop into a museum of this size."

Ted Santarelli, October 10, 1987

Click Here for the post - "The Birth of Seashore Trolley Museum - An Interview with the Founder".

Click Here for the post - "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum - A Look Back at the 50s
Click Here for the post - "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum-A Look Back at the 60s
Click Here for the post - "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum-A Look Back at the 70s
Click Here for the post - "1901 Tower C Boston Elevated Railway to STM 1975"

Click Here for the post - The Saga of Northampton Station Coming to Maine 1990

Click Here for the post - 50 Years Ago on Halloween - Narcissus Arrived at Seashore Trolley Museum

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 

Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston

Eliot Historical Society, Eliot

Gray Historical Society, Gray

Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta

Letterpress Books, Portland

Maine Historical Society Store, Portland

Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk

New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester

Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada

Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport

Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations

Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester

Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop

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!

Theodore Roosevelt on the Narcissus when addressing

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

The Narcissus in the restoration shop in 2022 PWM

   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 each month. 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

* 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

* Seal Cove Auto Museum

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

Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Narcissus Restoration Update September 24, 2021

View of the 1912 Portland-Lewiston No. 12, Narcissus 

in the Donald G. Curry Restoration Shop at Seashore Trolley

Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The number 2 end is seen

on the right. PWM August 21, 2021 

The number 1 end is seen on the left.

PWM August 21, 2021

The Narcissus was built in 1912 in Laconia, NH, and operated on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) between the two cities from 1914 to 1933. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus from Lewiston to Portland on August 18, 1914. 

     The blog posts include updates on the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places, Narcissus, which is currently taking place at Seashore Trolley Museum's Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop in Kennebunkport, Maine. Posts also include topics; on the connections that Theodore Roosevelt has here in Maine, the PLI and its connections to the communities it served (Portland, Falmouth, Cumberland, Gray, New Gloucester, Auburn, and Lewiston), the builder of the PLI, W. S. Libbey, other electric railway systems in Maine, and people of Maine that had an impact on the electric railway development here in Maine.

This 2021 restoration update includes the work described below:

Passenger Windows - 

One of the twenty-six passenger windows with a mahogany

sash. There were nearly twenty original passenger window

sashes in various conditions. Some could be repaired, and

some sash were beyond repair. A replica sash was made with

mahogany where needed. The glass that was missing from

most sashes has been matched to the original and installed.

PWM 1-6-2021 PWM

Vestibule Sash -

The four large vestibule sashes were individually

 dismantled and segments were examined. It was

determined that all the sash had received major

repairs over many years. Enough original

segments remained and were utilized as patterns

to make four replacement sash. PWM

Making mortise cuts in the vestibule sash.

Seth Reed

Replacement mahogany vestibule sash with

newly cut mortise. Seth Reed

Replacement mahogany vestibule sash

sections showing their tenons. Seth Reed

Matching the tenon with the mortise as 

a replacement vestibule sash is assembled.

Seth Reed

Closeup of the finished product.

Seth Reed

Replacement mahogany sash showing the

craftsmanship of master woodworker,

Seth Reed. Seth Reed Photo

The four replacement mahogany sashes for

the vestibules of the Narcissus. The

extensions at the top are done on purpose to

allow for adjustments while each is being

installed. Each sash will have the extensions

sawn to have each sash fit securely. PWM

Steel Channel/Side Sill Timbers - 

These next three photos were first posted in 2019. I include them here for background to the photos, etc. that follow. These three images were supplied to the Museum by the various vendors that had a hand in locating, milling, and delivering the milled vintage southern yellow pine timbers for use in the Narcissus.

Possible candidates for Narcissus side sills.

Springfield, MA at Armster

Reclaimed Lumber.

In the Springfield, MA area, this 40-foot x 11.5" x 13.5"

timber is about to begin its transformation as two, 37-foot x

5" x 8" timbers are extrapolated during the

cutting/sawing/milling process. The timber milled into

two sills for the Narcissus came from a Brass Foundry that

was built in Connecticut circa 1880.

Once the exterior sides are milled, then the

large timber is sawn in half. This milling

then produces a surprising reaction

from the old-growth timber.

Once the timbers were in the restoration shop for

work to begin to prep for installation, many

of the knots had started to seep sap. 

PWM

One of the many knots

seeping sap from the

milled timber that was

initially installed in a

brass foundry during 

construction circa 1880.

PWM

These two timbers are incredible.

PWM

One of the two vintage side sill timbers is

matched with its steel channel. Following their

preparation, as a joined pair, the set will be

stored until they are retrieved for installation

in the Narcissus. PWM

After participating in

the matching process with its

partner side sill timber, each

of the steel channels were

prepped and primed. Later

both would be stored in the

54-foot storage trailer that

contains Narcissus components.

PWM

Both steel channels and the sills are prepped and awaiting

being joined with their respective matched partner, then

secured together until it is their turn to be installed in the Narcissus.

PWM

No. 2 End Vestibule - 

An October 16, 2017 view of the

number 2 end of the Narcissus. PWM

Beginning early in 2021, the process of dismantling the number 2 end began. Copious photos were taken as the process proceeded. All spaces between components were measured. Each component was measured precisely and all measurements were recorded. The data was uploaded to the files in the Solidworks, 3-D CAD program.

One of the photos taken before starting

the process of dismantling the number 2

end of the Narcissus. Ernie Eaton

Old photographs of the Laconia-built interurbans are helpful when determining the perspective and accuracy of the 3-D CAD model. Below. left, is the number 1 end of No. 12, Gladiolus in the Lewiston carhouse. On the right is a virtual rendering of the number 1 end of the Narcissus generated from the Solidworks program. Ernie has positioned the virtual model of the Narcissus to mimic the position of the Gladiolus. This is not the final rendering and requires additional data along with minor repositioning. As data files of various components are added to the Solidworks program, the virtual model of the Narcissus becomes more complete. This step is but one of many to assist Ernie in determining the accuracy of placement of the thousands of individual component files that make up the Narcissus.

Ernie Eaton is the restoration shop project manager overseeing

all aspects of the restoration of the Narcissus. He secured the

license for the Museum to use the Solidworks 3-D CAD

software. Ernie enters all data (thousands of individual data

entries) files into the program then becomes

available as a virtual 3-D model.

A virtual rendering of the number 1 end

in color. As additional data from measuring

components are added to the program, the

virtual model rendering becomes more complete.

Ernie Eaton

The dismantling process of the number 2 end of

the Narcissus has begun.

March 2021 - Ernie Eaton

One of the original stained glass windows in its mahogany

sash from the 1912 Arbutus. This window is from the clerestory

on the number 2 end of the Arbutus. I use this window

as a display item when we have a canopy with tables with

displays during a community event and during a Museum event

or a speaking engagement. This image, it is used

as a backdrop in my cottage during Zoom meetings. PWM

Woodwork being done on the No. 2 End - 

Seth Reed is the master finish woodworker in the

Museum's restoration shop. Seth is seen here making cuts to

a block of ash that will become a replacement component

for the Narcissus. Seth and Ernie examine and test each of 

the wood components that were removed from the Narcissus

to determine whether the component can be repaired

and reused or if a new replica component needs to be produced. 

Ernie Eaton

Ash components that have been reproduced or repaired.

PWM

A reproduced component is attached to an original.

PWM

The same components as in the above photo show the

damaged end on the original. PWM

Many of these wood components from the number 2 end have

many complicated cuts. 

PWM

The window post attached to the original is secured together

with green painter's tape. The repaired post is on the top. One

end of the very complicated corner door post is seen in the

foreground. PWM

Repairs are seen on one of the several cross-braces for the

dasher underneath the vestibule windows.

PWM

Closeup of a couple of repairs. The repaired door post seen

on the left is seen nearly complete in the photo below

PWM

Repaired window post.

5-19-2021 Seth Reed 

The reverse side of the repaired window post.

5-19-2021 Seth Reed 

Viewing some of the complicated cuts

of the doorposts. 5-1-2021 Seth Reed 

The opposite end of two of the door posts.

5-1-2021 Seth Reed  

Laura Libbey Conley, great, great-granddaughter

to W. Scott Libbey, builder of the PLI, expressing

her excitement at seeing the quality of

the finished woodwork of the complicated doorpost

from the number 2 end of the Narcissus.

8-7-2021 PWM

A short video clip of one of the replacement ash

door posts for the number 2 end of the Narcissus

Click Here to see the YouTube clip if you are unable to open the embedded link above

Steel I-beams No. 2 End Vestibule - 

The PLI interurban's original construction included two

47-foot-long steel I-beams down the center of the full length

of the coach. Wood was set on the sides of each of the

I-beam for use to secure various components and wood

crossbeams. Ernie Eaton

The ends of the I-beams supporting the vestibules were in

very poor condition. The ends of the I-beams were cut and

the sections were removed from about where the bulkheads

are located in the passenger compartment. New I-beams

were welded into place. Ernie Eaton

Closeup of the original steel I-beams on the

number 2 end of the Narcissus. Ernie Eaton

The top I-beam segment is one of the two

original ends cut from the number two end

I-beams. The I-beam below is one of the two

replacement steel I-beam segments that will be

welded into place. Ernie Eaton

Westinghouse Multi-Unit & HL Controller - The Westinghouse HL control Multi-Unit seen below was one of the many then-declared obsolete items retrieved in the mid-to-late 1960s from the Boston 'T''s Everett shops. One of two HL-15-B Westinghouse Multiple Control System controllers is attached to the Multi-Unit. Also in the late 60s, a trade of components was made with BAERA (Bay Area Electric Railroad Association) in Suisun City, CA for the two controllers.

The Westinghouse Multiple Control System with an HL-15-B

controller is attached temporarily while the system is 

prepped for testing. PWM

Ernie Eaton seen here is about to conduct a test of the 

HL-15-B controller and its connections with the Multi-Unit

as the controller is engaged through the various "notches"

of series and parallel. PWM

Ernie Eaton demonstrates the process of engaging the

HL-15-B controller. The test setup includes an airline feed,

a custom-made resistor grid, and a pair of light bulbs with

special wiring. As the controller is engaged with each "notch"

the brightness of the light emitted from the bulb(s) varies

in brightness as contact with each notch is made in 

series and parallel. PWM

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 

Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston

Eliot Historical Society, Eliot

Gray Historical Society, Gray

Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta

Letterpress Books, Portland

Maine Historical Society Store, Portland

Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk

New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester

Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada

Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport

Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations

Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester

Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop

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!

Theodore Roosevelt on the Narcissus when addressing

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

The Narcissus in the restoration shop in 2022 PWM

   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 each month. 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

* 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

* Seal Cove Auto Museum

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

Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.