William "Bill" Sewall, a dear friend to Theodore Roosevelt,
with his hand on the Roosevelt Memorial Tablet on
September 5, 1921, on the Good Will-Hinckley trail.
A stone from Sagamore Hill,
Roosevelt's home in Oyster Bay, NY, is tucked in
between the three larger stones of the monument.
Photo courtesy of
Update: 04-10-2023
I first started researching Theodore Roosevelt in 2010. As a volunteer at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, overseeing the Narcissus project (Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914), I felt the need to learn more about Roosevelt's visit to Maine. That initial research piqued my curious nature to want to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt.
Twelve years later, that seed of curiosity has taken root and blossomed, into the development of what is the: Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail: Connecting Maine Communities. Insight throughout the State of Maine is what this trail provides by tracing and describing Theodore Roosevelt's connections with each of these communities.
Each community is identified with a star with a number or
a moose with a letter. The key to the logo landmarks is below.
Each moose represents a community that has an indirect
connection with Roosevelt, meaning he may not have paid the
community a visit, but there is a meaningful connection to
Roosevelt in that community. The stars indicate a community
that Roosevelt visited and probably engaged with the people
and or the local geography. As research continues, other
communities will be added to the logo.
Logo: "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Over the ensuing weeks, each of these
communities/landmarks with its Roosevelt
connections will have a separate page describing
details of TR's connections. Each will also
have a link(s) to local resources/venues.
Key by "Designs by Reece" - Reece Saunders
Today, we describe Moose D shown on the list (key) above - Fairfield 1921
A more recent close-up photo of the memorial tablet located
on the Good Will-Hinkley trail in Fairfield. Edith Roosevelt,
Theodore's widow selected the top stone used for the memorial
from Sagamore Hill property, Roosevelt's home.
PWM photo
George W. Hinckley is seen in this image with the
Roosevelt Memorial. Hinckley was the founder
of the Good Will-Hinckley Home for Boys and Girls
in Fairfield and served orphans and other needy children.
The school opened in 1889 and Hinckley ran it until 1919,
when G. W's son, Walter took over. G. W. Hinckley continued
to be actively involved in the school for many more years.
This photo was taken from the same steps where Mr.
Hinckley is standing in the photo above.
PWM photo
The trail where the Roosevelt Memorial is
located begins at the Dartmouth Trail field stone
entrance. The fieldstone entrance was constructed
in 1915 with funds from the Outing Club of
Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Trail "D"
on the map key. The Roosevelt Memorial is on
the Dartmouth Trail. There are nearly 3-miles
of trails. PWM photo
To visit the Roosevelt Memorial at Good Will-Hinckley
To see the network of trails and daily schedule
The L.C. Bates Museum
Inspiring Wonder
At Good Will-Hinckley
14 Easler Rd Hinckley, ME 04944
207-238-4250 gwh.org/lcbates
Email: lcbates@gwh.org
Thank you to Deborah Staber, Museum Curator at
the L C Bates Museum for her continued help with this project.
PWM photo
Benches facing back of the Roosevelt Memorial Tablet.
PWM photo
A. Newton Plummer, a former resident of Good Will Farm, became a well-known financial writer in New York. Mr. Plummer stayed connected with Good Will Farm and provided leadership and financial support to promote the organization. Mr. Plummer also had great respect for Theodore Roosevelt. Following the death of Theodore Roosevelt in 1919, it was Mr. Plummer's idea to erect and provide financial support for a memorial tablet to honor Mr. Roosevelt and to also erect a similarly designed bird bath in the newly proposed thirty-acre Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary. Both would be located within the Good Will Farm trail system.
Below are various communications concerning the Roosevelt Memorial Tablet and the Bird Bath in the Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials below are in the collection of the L. C. Bates Museum on the campus of Good Will-Hinckley in Fairfield, Maine, courtesy of Deborah Staber, Museum Curator.
Below is: a handwritten response to Mr. Plummer from Edith Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt's widow, on her willingness to work with him to supply a stone for the memorial.
Below is: Typed note from Newton Plummer detailing Edith Roosevelt's response to his request.
Below is: Good Will's summary report of the dedication of the Roosevelt Memorial on September 5, 1921.
On pages 231 and 232 of the Good Will Record dated October 1921.
Below is: A more recent photo of the plaque on the Roosevelt Memorial Tablet stone.
The monument was created by a former Good Will Farm
resident, A. Newton Plummer. Plummer reached out to
Mrs. Roosevelt with the idea for the monument to her
then-recently departed husband. Mrs. Roosevelt hand-picked
the stone used in the monument from Roosevelt's estate,
Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, NY. PWM photo
Below is: Text on the memorial plaque. On page 230 of the Good Will Record dated October 1921.
Below is: Description of the activities with Bill Sewall after the dedication. On pages 183 and 184 of the Chronicles of Good Will Home 1889-1989.
Below is: a handwritten letter from Bill Sewall to Newton Plummer.
Below are Newspaper clippings and a photo of the monument of the dedication. Numerous newspapers throughout New England and in the northeast published this release. Notice it mentions "...part of a movement to mark the places visited in Maine by Roosevelt when he was a young man." Hmm...one hundred years later, this blogger is rekindling that movement's desire :)
Below is: The letter from Hermann Hagedorn, Director of the Roosevelt Memorial Association and Theodore Roosevelt biographer, to Mr. Plummer.
Below is: A letter from then, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, III, Assitant Secretary of the U.S. Navy and son of the former POTUS, to Mr. Plummer
Below is: TR, III's letter to Mr. Plummer mentioned on pg. 62 of the Good Will Record dated March 1922.
Below is: The letter from Hermann Hagedorn, Director of the Roosevelt Memorial Association and Theodore Roosevelt biographer, to Mr. Plummer, stating that the photo of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Tablet will be added to the Association's Permanent Collection.
Below is: A letter from Corrine Roosevelt Robinson, Theodore Roosevelt's sister, to Mr. Plummer.
Below is: A letter from Good Will Home Association to Mr. Pummer, with a copy of a photograph enclosed of the newly constructed Bird Bath placed in the Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary at Good Will Farms.
Below is: A series of four clippings describing the Bird Bath. The source and dates will follow when they are confirmed.
Below is: Two photos of the newly constructed Bird Bath in the Roosevelt Bird Sanctuary on the trails of the Good Will Farm. Dates to follow soon :)
Below is: One recent photo of a view while on the Good Will-Hinckley Trail.
Click Here to see the Trail Map
Signage identifies the various
species on the trail. PWM photo
A portion of my collection of TR-related books :)
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-running full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically on a monthly basis. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type in 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
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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