Crossing a waterway like this would be the experience
for Theodore Roosevelt when he was traveling in
North Penobscot in late summer of 1879. This image
is described as most likely being the Mattawamkeag
River circa 1921. TRC 560.12-0112
Houghton Library, Harvard University
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 28" shown on the list (key) above - North Penobscot
The Sewall House in Island Falls, Maine. Theodore Roosevelt
spent many a night with the Sewall family when he was
when he was visiting during three separate trips to the county
in 1878 and 1879. This image is c 1921 by Hermann Hagedorn
TRC 560.12-075 Houghton Library, Harvard University
TR's journal in 1879 describes his visit to the Northeast Piscataquis area during the late summer.
During the Mount Katahdin journey, he was joined by his cousin William "Emlen" Roosevelt, and a family friend, Arthur Cutler. Then, after returning from the Katahdin trek, TR and William Sewall together headed north to the Oxbox, where they would paddle down the Aroostook River to the Munsunguns and Chase Rivers. and back...then walk the approximately forty miles to Island Falls
Houghton Library, Harvard University
William Windgate Sewall (with an ax) and Wilmot S. Dow
(with rifle) at camp on Pratt Cove, Mattawamkeag Lake,
Island Falls, Maine. The file is dated circa 1921, however,
Wilmot died in 1891 (35 years old). So, this image is pre-1891.
TRC 560.12-053 Houghton Library, Harvard University
Katahdin trek
* Mount Katahdin is now within the Baxter State Park
* The trek across the East Branch of the Penobscot, Wassataquoik Stream, and on to Katahdin Lake and Sandy Stream are now all within the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Roosevelt writes...
Saturday, August 23 - Reached Mattawamkeag at 10 a.m. and drove over to Island Falls. With Dave Sewall. Emlen and Mr. Cutler are here, and I shall make a short trip with them to Katahdin.
Sunday, August 24 - Spent the day chiefly in preparations. I have 2 complete changes of clothes, & plenty of handkerchiefs & woolen socks. I dress in a flannel shirt & light, strong duck trousers & heavy underflannels; carry a heavy jacket & a blanket and have my necessaries in a small bag. I have taken both rifle & shot gun.
Tuesday, August 26 - Emlen, Arthur Cutler, Will Dow, Will Sewall & I started for Mt. Katahdin. Drove 23 miles; and carried our packs about 10, when we went into camp. I carried about 45 lbs, including my gun & cartridges. Crossing a stream I lost one of my shoes; fortunately, I had brought a pair of moccasins tied to my pack.
Wednesday, August 27 - Walked up the head of Katahdin Lake where we camped. I get along very well with my pack. Killed four ducks in a logan, after a rather neat stable; also picked up a couple of partridges. We caught a few trout. Black flies are pretty bad; but they do not bother us at night; it is very pleasant in the evenings, with the roaring logs of the camp fire.
Thursday, August 28 - After lunch we started for Katahdin; (before I had tramped about 5 miles after partridges). We caught about 100 trout at Sandy Brook; then got lost; and after tramping through frightful ground till after dark camped out by a small water hole; wet, tired and hungry - but happpy. There are plenty of fresh tracks of both bear & caribou, but we saw nothing living except the usual woodpeckers, chickadees, jay, &c &c.
Friday, August 29 - Started before daybreak, walking straight through the woods, & up then up Katahdin; it was very difficult walking, & both Emlen & Arthur gave out before reaching the summit, the view from which was beautiful. I find I can endure fatigue & hardship pretty nearly as well as these lumbermen. Coming back we followed a spotted trail which sometimes set at fault even the two skilled backwoodsmen. Reached our camp at Katahdin Lake about dark, having caught about 60 trout. It is railing & we are all soaked through but in excellent health and spirits.
Saturday, August 30 - In the morning walked half way round the lake but saw nothing; there are very few partridges and few ducks round here & larger game is not scarce, but almost impossible to get at. In the afternoon walked some distance down beside Sandy Brook; coming home killed a duck in Moose Pond. Trout of small size are very plentiful.
Sunday, August 31 - Loafed about camp, cleaning guns, mending clothes, bathing in the lake &c. You get pretty dirty in camp. Black flies have been very numerous this trip, and have been a great annoyance to the others; funnily enough they do not bother me very much. There are plenty of fish round here, game is very scarce; but I am enjoying myself exceedingly.
Monday, September 1 - Was up before sunrire and took a trip round barrens and bogs; crippled a duck in a logan, but it crawled off among the rushes. In the afternoon we shouldered our packs, broke camp & started for Island Falls. After crossing the Wissatocook went into camp for the night. Am in beautiful condition & find I can walk, wrestle & shoot with most of the lumbermen
Tuesday, September 2 - Started in good season, walking out to the East branch of the Penobscot, which we crossed, & then drove to Island Falls. I have enjoyed the trip exceedingly; the boys are most pleasant companions.
Munsungun Lakes Trek
Thursday, September 4 - Spent the day preparing for my Munsungun trip; I shall go in a canoe, alone with Sewall. For provisions I took pork and hardtack and some flour; we have a shelter tent, two blankets & some cooking utensils; & one complete change of clothing each. I take 50 cartridges for the rifle and 100 for the shotgun. I shall only use moccasins.
Friday, September 5 - Started out at 5 a.m. in a rough wagon to drive to the Oxbow of the Aroostook River - 46 miles distant. We reached it 6 p.m. and are staying in a regular backwoods house - fare and sleeping accommodations being both primitive to a degree. The route all day long was through a sparsely settled, thickly wooded country & for about 3 miles through a dreary waste of burnt land.
Saturday, September 6 - Started in fair season in a pirogue or dugout. It stands rough work better than a birch canoe. We went about 20 miles up the Aroostook, paddling sometimes, but poling most of the way. The scenery is very beautiful and wild; I saw no trace of man - but also no trace of game. Trout are plenty, however. Pitched a camp before dark, to cook the bread, trout & partridge. Black flies, mosquitoes & midge pretty plentiful; I don't mind them much.
Sunday, September 7 - We started as usual, as there was no use of laying up; but I compromised by not shooting or fishing. We poled up the Aroostook (River) till lunch time, when we were near the mouth of the Munsungun; up this we had to wade, dragging our boats - the water now up to our ankles, now to our hips. It was heavy work; moreover it was raining heavily; and towards dusk we pitched camp, drenched through & tired out. Midges bad.
Monday, September 8 - Rained hard all day. We started early; for several hours it was rapid, shoal water, through which we waded, dragging the heavy dugout over the rocks and shallows; then we got into deeper, dead water, but this was nearly as bad owing to the beaver dams and log jams which we had to cut through or pull round. There were some falls we had to get up, taking everything out of the boat; then we poled up through more dead water; then paddled through the lowe rMunsungun Lake, & halfway up the middle one, where we camped. Tired out, & wet through, hungry & cold - but am having a lovely time. But no trace of game.
Tuesday, September 9 - Rained all day; but we paddled up the middle lake and then walked (through most frightfull ground) to the head of the upper one (Chase Lake). On the way I saw a few partridges; an old moose track; a recent bear track; and a few old signs of deer and caribou. On the lake are a few loons and fish ducks. As game is so scarce I shall go right back to Island Falls, instead of staying up here, as I had intended. Am wet through, as usual, and rather tired, but, although the work is very hard, I am enjoying the trip greatly.
Wednesday, September 10 - Rose before daybreak & started before sunrise, down the lake. Paddled through the lake and dead water, running that falls, then waded down through the Munsungun quick water, lunching where we camped Sunday night; then we poled, (making fine time down the swift waters and only occasionally having to get out and wade) until early in the afternoon we reached our Saturday camp where we are now. I am very fond of the evenings round the camp fire, beneath the shelter tent.
Thursday, September 11 - Started in fair season, paddled down stream in great style; on the way I shot a wood duck. At the Oxbow we disembarked and walked about 15 miles (half of the way across country) to a rough backwoods house, where we are now. Fare pretty rough, but plenty of good milk, and we have shot our own meat - as, besides the duck, I killed a rabbit and a partridge on the way.
Theodore Roosevelt made several visits to Maine. Yes, there were times, when he was older, that those visits would have been made as necessitated by his politics. However, the majority of his visits were for personal gain. I speak of personal gain in the sense of his own personal health and well-being. We know Maine as, "Vacationland", or as, "The Way Life Should Be". Maine has long been known as a place to "re-create", renew one's self, and contemplate one's purpose or direction. Whether being near the ebb and flow of the mesmerizing coastline or taking in its breathtaking vistas along so many beautiful rivers and mountains, this great state of Maine has drawn many a soul in seeking fresh air and perhaps inner guidance to a fresh start.
TR, late in his sophomore year at Harvard, ca 1878 May
His first visit to Island Falls, Maine was in September 1878
TRC 520.12-003, Houghton Library, Harvard University
Throughout his adult life, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, expressed how much he treasured his visits to Maine as a young man and in particular, how he truly valued the friends he made in Island Falls, during those visits.
William "Bill" W. Sewall - Bio
William W. Sewall - Theodore Roosevelt Center, Dickinson State University, ND
Bill Sewall & Wilmot Dow - The National Park Service
image from a postcard, PWM
Chimney Pond on Mt. Katahdin, image from a postcard, PWM
I strongly recommend you acquire a copy of Andrew Vietze's book, Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th President. Great reading for all ages.
Hardcover first edition copy
of Andrew Vietze's "Becoming Teddy
Roosevelt" PWM Collection
A great resource for TR's diaries
1877-1886 - A Most Glorious Ride
Edited by Edward P. Kohn
PWM 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 Maine:
Center for Maine Crafts, West Gardiner Service Plaza
The Book Review, Falmouth
The Bookworm, Gorham
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Nonesuch Books and More, South Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
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 every 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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