This is where former POTUS, Theodore Roosevelt,
while a passenger on the elegant Narcissus made
his stop in New Gloucester (Lower on the PLI Schedule),
August 18, 1914, while en route to Portland.
[Cobbs Bridge Road (N-S) Intervale Road
(E-W)]. The road, "Angle," is now Grange Hall Road.
Across from the former Grange Hall was the PLI
freight shed, passenger station, and Ray's freight
platform. There was track siding as well.
1927 Sanborn Map
Updated 2-5-2024
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 and his various visits to Maine.
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 "Star 7" shown on the list (key) above - New Gloucester 1914/1916
Thank you to Tom Blake, curator for the New Gloucester Historical Society, for help with research over the years :)
An interurban heading to Auburn. It
is passing C. E. Ray's General Store in
New Gloucester and about to cross
Intervale Road, where it will stop at
the passenger station on what is now the
Grange Hall Road. It will then
proceed to cross Cobb Bridge Road
and continue north.
O. R. Cummings Collection
Published by The Lewiston Daily Sun
8-19-1914
Lewiston, ME -
This entry follows in the final two paragraphs in the section titled,
At the Empire Theatre.
"....he was hurried to the special car (No. 14, Narcissus) of the P.G. & L. Interurban Line, which was waiting in front of the car barn on Middle Street. The start for Portland was made at just 4:20 P.M.
The first stop of the Roosevelt special was made in Lower Gloucester where the Colonel greeted the people from the rear of the platform of the car.
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The stop in New Gloucester would have looked similar to this.
This photo was taken at the Gray station a few minutes after
departing New Gloucester. Roosevelt is seen here on No. 14,
Narcissus, which is currently under restoration at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME.
O. R. Cummings Collection
While reading the TR article of his stop in Kennebunk on August 18, 1914, in the August 19, 1914, issue of the Kennebunk Enterprise newspaper, there is a short mention of TR, while being a passenger on the Narcissus, being especially pleased when traveling through the area of Gray.
Kennebunk Enterprise,
August 19, 1914,
front page. Courtesy of
Kennebunkport Historical
Society
Here is an excerpt from a paragraph in the article shown above:
The trip from Lewiston to Portland was made by (a) trolley; a special car (Narcissus) being run, and all along the way men, women, and children greeted the hero of the hour. One thing that especially pleased "Teddy" was at Gray where there is a boys' school and the young lads had placed the American flag (some forty in number) along the fence and stood behind cheering for "Teddy."
The mention of "a boys' school" in Gray and the flags caught my attention. I wondered where that school was in Gray. Was the article referring to Pennell Institute? Pennell was not a "boys' school."
I sent an email to Karen Taylor at Gray Historical Society attached the newspaper article and asked if there was a separate "boys' school" in Gray. I paid a visit to the Gray Public Library and asked Darcel Devou. She replied that there was a boys' school in New Gloucester.
I sent an email to Tom Blake at the New Gloucester Historical Society and attached the newspaper article. Tom responded, yes, the boys' school in New Gloucester was named Opportunity Farm and he would do some research.
I too did some research and found an article in the August 18, 1914 issue of the Oxford Democrat, page 2, first column. This article talked about a new seal that the school had created and was distributing. I sent the link to Tom with the page and the article. Tom replied, that he was not familiar with the "stamp" mentioned and that he very much was interested in learning more about it. He would do some research.
first column at the bottom.
Excerpt from a Tom Blake email, 9-5-2022:
I dug into our Opportunity Farm material and was pleased to find a copy of their 1st Annual Report, which was dated 1914, but appears to primarily cover 1913 items. When describing its location, "The Portland, Gray, and Lewiston electric road passes within a half mile of the house," and "we are easy to reach by train or automobile and will soon have the added convenience of a trolley line."
We also have a copy of their newsletter from October 1914, but unfortunately makes no mention of Teddy. They do mention returning from the fairgrounds in Lewiston: "We rode home on the new electric road."
I have attached a copy of the back page of the newsletter which shows the "stamp" referred to in the article you sent. I would love to find one!
Tom
At the top of the page, the "stamp" refers to
in the Oxford Democrat article 8-18-1914.
The article in the newsletter above, states it
is a "seal" that they encourage placing after
your signature on a letter.
The back page of the October 1914 newsletter
issued by the Opportunity Farm in
New Gloucester. Courtesy of the
I enjoy collaborating with peers in the fields of local history and in local education.
In August 2023, I noticed a post on the Allagash Outpost Facebook site that included a photo circa 1900 of the Opportunity Farm in New Gloucester. Through the comment option, I asked about its location. I was happy to see a photo of the "farm" and through the comments was able to learn its location in relationship to the Portlnad-Lewiston Interurban right-of-way in New Gloucester.
Thank you, Josh Verrill :)
Opportunity Farm location.
The PLI right-of-way is highlighted
with red on the right. The boys
from the farm were able to
walk to the right-of-way with their flags
to wave at the former POTUS as he
passed by in the Narcissus.
The boys' patriotic activity was clearly
appreciated by Theodore Roosevelt.
A US flag with 48 states recognized in the flag.
This would be similar to the one gifted to the
Opportunity Farm and a few weeks later,
many of the boys from the farm would wave
to TR as he passed by while aboard
Narcissus.
One of the articles describing the flag
ceremony early in July 1914.
Another article on the flag ceremony.
Roosevelt did pass through New Gloucester in 1916.
Published by Lewiston Daily Sun
9-1-1916
Portland, ME -
Col. Roosevelt also stepped to the rear of the car (No. 16, Clematis) and waved coming through New Gloucester and again as the car came through the suburbs of Auburn.
.jpg)
one and a half miles north of the New Gloucester station.
Roosevelt was a passenger on the Clematis when he passed
through New Gloucester on August 31, 1916, waving to
the gathered locals as he went through town.
O. R. Cummings Collection
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 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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