George E. Cousins dressed as Uncle Sam riding his
"high-wheel" "Penny-farthing" bicycle on Main Street,
Kennebunk, during the U.S. Bicentennial parade.
George and Sylvia Cousins owned the Old Corner Grocery.
George was a guest of former POTUS, Theodore
Roosevelt during August 18, 1914, as they traveled
by train to Lewiston and then on the Narcissus,
as passengers from Lewiston to Portland. The Narcissus
is currently being restored at Seashore Trolley Museum :)
Photo courtesy of Brick Store Museum.
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 1" shown on the list (key) above - Kennebunk August 18, 1914
Until last week, I was unaware that Theodore Roosevelt actually had a direct connection with my hometown, Kennebunk, Maine. I knew, that on several occasions, over many years, he was a passenger on trains that were in Maine, but I had read that his trains generally passed through the railroad station in Kennebunk after he was POTUS. There may have been times that he was a passenger on a train stopped at the station, but it would have been during a time before he became President of the United States in 1901 when he was simply a passenger like everyone else.
There is a need for additional research on TR's stop at the Kennnebunk railroad station in 1912 when he was the Progressive Party candidate for President. This visit is mentioned in the 1914 newspaper article when it refers to the size of the crowd greeting TR in 1914 was about twice the size of the crowd that was at the station to greet him on his 1912 campaign visit.
On the occasion of TR's August 18, 1914, visit, he was traveling in a private car named, the "Hester," and the train did stop at the Kennebunk station where Roosevelt engaged with local residents who had gathered at the station to try and catch a glimpse or perhaps receive a handshake.
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Theodore Roosevelt's private railroad parlor car,
"Hester" - Lewiston Evening Journal
August 18, 1914, page 9
This is the Sandford & Cape Porpoise waiting station on
Summer Street. Constructed in 1902 on the northwesterly
end of the bridge passing over the B&M Railroad on Summer
Street in Kennebunk. It was designated as the electric railway's
Kennebunk Station, complete with a lunch counter
and restroom facilities. It was a short walk across the
street and down the hill to the B&M Kennebunk railroad station.
A strong likelihood that some folks used trolleys to
travel to the Kennebunk railroad station to try and see Roosevelt
on August 18, 1914.
O. R. Cummings Collection
The B&MRR passenger station at Summer Street, Kennebunk
was where a couple of hundred local residents were to try
and connect with Theodore Roosevelt on August 18, 1914.
Many were successful :) PWM Postcard Collection
The first newspaper clipping that I read that mentioned Roosevelt's train stopping at the Kennebunk station was in the Lewiston Evening Journal, August 18, 1914, on page 9. It was a simple statement; "At Kennebunk, a Lewiston Journal reporter boarded the car and was immediately ushered into Col. Roosevelt's apartment."
I was very surprised to read an account of a train of Roosevelt's stopping at Kennebunk. Based on the wording of how the reporter was rushed aboard the train and into Roosevelt's apartment in the private car, I wasn't thinking that Roosevelt didn't take any time to engage with local residents who may have been present. Roosevelt was greatly admired by Maine residents, so, it was not unusual for many local residents, to gather at the local stations even if Roosevelt's train was going to be passing through.
Theodore Roosevelt's train stopped at
the Kennebunk railroad station to pick up
a Lewiston newspaper reporter.
Lewiston Evening Journal -
August 18, 1914, page 9
However, there have been times in the past, that I have been pleasantly surprised when I have taken the next steps to extend the research in hopes of finding more details. So, I reached out to local historian, Sharon Cummins, who is on staff at the Kennebunkport Historical Society. I shared the Lewiston newspaper clip briefly mentioning the Roosevelt train stop at the Kennebunk train station and asked if, when she had a chance, could take a look at local Kennebunk newspapers that issued papers during the days around August 18th for any additional coverage of Roosevelt's stop in Kennebunk.
Sharon was successful in locating a wonderful accounting of Roosevelt's stop at the Kennebunk station and his engagement with local residents, in the August 19, 1914, issue of the Kennebunk Enterprise.
The next day, August 19, 1914, the story of
what took place at the Kennebunk railroad station
the previous day was told in the Kennebunk Enterprise.
Ibid
One welcomed visitor that Roosevelt greeted at the Kennebunk station was, George E. Cousins, of the Old Corner Grocery and a resident of Kennebunk. George, an "enthusiastic Progressive," was invited to join Roosevelt during his travels for the rest of the day. This happened to include them both being passengers on, No. 14, Narcissus, 1912, high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI).
I smile when I read the opening sentence of the paragraph that begins with "The special car "Narcissus"..."
This article states that the Narcissus reached the Falmouth Hotel (at) about 5:45. Well, the Narcissus actually stopped at Monument Square. Roosevelt was then transported by automobile to the Falmouth Hotel on Middle Street, just a short distance from Monument Square.
Ibid
Ibid
I also reached out to Leanne Hayden, Collections Manager at the Brick Store Museum, and asked if she could look through the museum's collection for local news, etc., about Roosevelt's train making a stop at the Kennebunk railroad station and perhaps info on George E. Cousins. I recalled my grandparents and my father mentioning George over the years.
Leanne located a write-up on Roosevelt's stop at Kennebunk on August 18, 1914, in the Eastern Star. The article mentions George Cousins being a guest of the former POTUS and that Mr. L. R. Williams of Ogunquit, a candidate for Representative, also journeyed with Roosevelt and Cousins on the train to Lewiston, then as passengers on the Narcissus from Lewiston to Portland.
Eastern Star August 19, 1914
Courtesy of the Brick Store Museum
Ibid
Ibid
The body of the Narcissus has been at the Seashore Trolley Museum campus since it arrived on Halloween, October 31, 1969. It had been the summer camp for the Vallee family at Sabattus Lake for more than thirty years before arriving at the Trolley Museum. The search for mechanical and electrical components that could be used by the Narcissus for its restoration would take place over the next fifty years. 1999, is when I first started working on moving the Narcissus project forward at the Museum. Restoration on the "Elegant Ride" continues and if you visit the restoration shop at Seashore Tolley Museum, you can see the Narcissus as work is ongoing.
I am totally thrilled to now have a direct hometown connection with Theodore Roosevelt, Narcissus, and Kennebunk.
Theodore Roosevelt addressed a crowd on August 18, 1914,
in Gray, ME. TR is aboard the high-speed, luxury coach,
Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus.
George E. Cousins of Kennebunk is also aboard.
The Narcissus is undergoing restoration at
the Seashore Trolley Museum's
Donald G. Curry's Town House Shop, in Kennebunkport,
Maine. Photo courtesy of the Gray Historical Society
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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