One side of the 82 pages that make up
the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Employees
Reunion Scrapbook.
How Seashore Trolley Museum acquired the incredible scrapbook of the PLI Empoyees' reunions:
O. R. Cummings was a passenger in one of the interurbans of the PLI only once - in 1932 when he accompanied his mother to her 20-year reunion at Bates College. They traveled from Newburyport, MA to Portland, ME by train and continued on to Lewiston over the PLI. He so very much wanted to see the day the Narcissus was fully restored to operating condition. He even signed over his royalties to the Narcissus restoration fund from his 1967 book, "Maine's Fast Electric Railroad: Portland-Lewiston Interurban".
O. R. was given the PLI Employee Scrapbook by its maker and fellow electric railway historian, Charles Heseltine. O. R., in turn, gifted the scrapbook to the NEERHS Library in 2013.
Title Page of the scrapbook
The PLI Employee Scrapbook has 112 pages (82 have content) of incredible memories from the construction & operating years (1910-1933) of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and of the four reunions (1938-1941) of former PLI employees. In looking through the scrapbook the first time, one of my first reactions was to say that these photos and other attachments in the scrapbook need to be professionally conserved and, if possible, digitized the contents so that they would be available for use in creating exhibits, displays, and educational offerings.
Knowing we had this one-of-a-kind precious PLI employee scrapbook as a potential resource for creating interpretation materials - if quality digital images of the items held in the scrapbook were made available. The next step became clear. To find where the scrapbook contents could be professionally conserved and while doing so, have the contents professionally digitized.
Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover, MA was referred to us and they provided us with an estimate for conserving our first two PLI treasures. The original, 1910 surveyor's map of the 30-mile-long, PLI right-of-way and the reunion scrapbook. Beginning early in 2018, we began fundraising for having the map and the scrapbook, and other PLI-related ephemera acquired conservation, and digitization work done.
The first item to be conserved was the original PLI surveyor's map at a cost of a little more than $11K
Click Here for the post: Conserved! January 1910 Original 28-foot-long PGLRR Map
Click Here for the post: 1910 Surveyors' Map of the PLI Interpreted 2020 by Thomas P. Blake, PLS
We are so very happy to report, that we now have raised the funds necessary to have the contents of the PLI reunion scrapbook work done at a cost of more than $16K. The scrapbook will be dropped off at NEDCC later this month (January 2022).
Here are a few photos and words about the four reunions (1938-1941) of the former PLI employees.
The first annual reunion of the former Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI) employers and employees was held in Gray, Maine, on June 29, 1938; five years to the day that the electric railroad ended service.
The initial page in the scrapbook with
contents from the first reunion in 1938.
The first reunion was held at Newbegin Hall in Gray. Construction having been completed, followed by its dedication, in November 1937, the Newbegin Hall was the new Gym at Pennell Institute.
A portion of November 25, 1937, clipping
from the Lewiston Journal describing the
newly constructed/dedicated Newbegin Hall.
PLI Employees Scrapbook
For the first reunion, O. S. Adkins, of Center Street, Auburn (ME), led the reunion committee arrangements, along with George Davis and Dana Russell. The musical entertainment was provided by the Liberty Brothers of North Yarmouth (ME).
A baked bean supper was served by the members of the Gray Grange. Miss Mildred Yeaton was chair of the supper committee. She was assisted by the following committee members: Dining Room - Mrs. Marguerete Duplisea, Mrs. Phyllis Dolloff, Earle Sawyer, Gerald Kimball, Warren Cole, Lee Duplisea, and William Duplisea; kitchen - Mrs. Lois Dolloff, Mrs. Jennie Cole, Mrs. Jessie Barrows, Mrs. Emma Sawyer, Mrs. Inez Yeaton, Mrs. Carrie Loring, Mrs. Nancy Wallace, Mrs. Bertha Bubler, Mrs. Alice Caswell, Mrs. Eva Wilson, and Mrs. Alice Hitchcock.
Approximately 150 attended the supper, with about 300 in total attending the entertainment portion of the first reunion. Speakers during the reunion included Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony of Saco, whose father, W. Scott Libbey, Sr., was the intrepid builder of the electric railroad, Fred Gordon of Portland, Percy Weymouth of Lewiston, and S. B. Cobb of Augusta.
A photo from the scrapbook shows a sign
with a list of former PLI employees who were
being sought by the reunion committee.
More than 120 former employees attended the second reunion on June 29, 1939. This reunion took place at the Pennell Institute gymnasium (Newbegin Hall) in Gray. As was the case during the 1938 reunion, members of the Gray Grange served the food for the dinner banquet at the 1939 reunion.
Among those present at the 1939 reunion were; Fred D. Gordon, former general manager of the company and at the time, vice president and general manager of the Cumberland County Light and Power Company, and Elden A. Way, who attended from Canterbury, New Brunswick (Canada). Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony, daughter of the builder of the PLI, was unable to attend.
Following the banquet, there was an exhibition of pictures of the rolling stock, line, and personnel of the company when it was in operation. The reunion concluded with a dance. O. S. Adkins of Auburn was the chair of the reunion committee that arranged the gathering.
The initial page in the scrapbook with
contents from the second reunion that
took place in 1939.
The sign from 1938 was effective in finding
a few former employees. The search for
others still not found continued in 1939.
The third reunion took place on June 30, 1940, at the Pennell Institute gymnasium (Newbegin Hall) in Gray. 105 attended, including 40 former employees and their families. Featured was a memorial service for members who had passed away during the previous year. Dinner was served by the Pythian Sisters of Gray with Mrs. Guy Prince in the lead role.
Following the dinner, many of the former employees were called upon to speak to the attendees. A ball game followed. The Casco League teams of New Gloucester and Gray played with Gray winning, 15-9.
Special mention was made at the dinner of Orrin Jenkins of Cumberland, RI, and Alden A. Way of Canterbury, NB (Canada), who had traveled the furthest to attend the reunion. Others mentioned were Charles Frost of North Wood, NH, and Peter Sanderson of Cooper's Mills, who were attending their first reunion.
During the day, a special scrapbook of old photographs of the railroad was passed around!
(Text from Newspaper paper clippings on the scrapbook pages from the Lewiston Journal and Lewiston Sun was used in this post...)
Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony was unable to attend.
The reunion committee included Oscar S. Adkins, Auburn, chair of the committee, Marvin L. Shackford, A. C. Clement, R. H. Shaw, and J. Fred Pollock, all of Portland.; George F. Davis, Dana M. Russell, both of Gray; John E. Cummings, New Gloucester; and A. P. Buchanan, Norman H. Merrill, Auburn.
The initial page in the scrapbook with
contents from the third reunion that
took place in 1940.
The final reunion was the fourth reunion. It took place on June 28, 1941, at the Newbegin Memorial Hall in Gray. The first event of the reunion was a ball game at 3:30 played by teams in the Casco Bay League. The game was followed by a casual gathering. A supper, which was served by the Congregational Church, was followed by musical entertainment provided by Al Ricker & Company.
The initial page with contents on the fourth
and the final reunion that took place in 1941.
One of many notes of appreciation in the scrapbook
from family members of former PLI employees who
had passed away.
The pages of the scrapbook are full of photos, newspaper clippings, original poems, and so many other items that will all be resources to help tell the amazing story of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Another of the many pages from the
PLI employee reunion scrapbook.
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!
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 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
* 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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