the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 10, Arbutus.
Photo taken Wednesday, June 19, 2024. PWM
No. 10 Arbutus, with Lewiston terminal personnel (l-r) two unidentified men
then; R G Weeks, master mechanic; Guy W. Mitchell, barn foreman; H. L.
Wright, Mrs. Lucy Card Matthews, E J Chateauvert, Milan H Spinney, Charles
E Kennison, L R Penny. The Arbutus was used to make the maiden voyage over
the Portland-Lewiston Interurban line on June 29, 1914. Public operations
began on July 2, 1914. The stained glass window in the first photo is on the
Arbutus in this photo :)
Collection of Barney Neuburger from O. R. Cummings Collection
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Click Here: for the post on the beginning of the PLI in 1914
The article describes the schedule on Sunday, June 5th, 1938,
when the Arbutus visit takes place.
Biddeford Saco Journal - June 1, 1938 - page 5
The Portland Division ERA fans in the group were going to visit the Arbutus at Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony's home at Bay View, in Saco, Maine. When Mrs. Libbey was a young girl, she and her sister, Alla, suggested to their father, W. Scott Libbey, the majority owner of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, that he name the first six interurban cars after his favorite flowers. Mr. Libbey did as his daughters suggested; No. 10, Arbutus, No. 12, Gladiolus, No. 14, Narcissus, No. 16, Clematis, No. 18, Azalea, No. 20, Magnolia. In 1920, the PLI ordered No. 22, Maine. No. 22 was named Maine in honor of 1920 being Maine's Centennial anniversary year.
Click Here: for the post on the biography of W. Scott Libbey
Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony was a passenger on the Arbutus
when it operated for the public on the opening day of the PLI
on July 2, 1914. Mrs. Anthony also was a passenger aboard
the Arbutus during the final public trip on June 28, 1933.
Image and caption from the incredible scrapbook
containing materials from the reunions (1938-1941)
of the former employees of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
The PLI employees' Scrapbook is among the holdings
of the Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Click Here: for the post about the ending of the PLI in 1933
A few more details are mentioned in this article.
Portland Press Herald - June 4, 1938 - page 12
Photo of the Arbutus heading to Mrs. Anthoneys home in Saco.
Image and caption from the incredible scrapbook
containing materials from the reunions (1938-1941)
of the former employees of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
The PLI employees' Scrapbook is among the holdings
of the Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Click Here: for the post on what happened to each of the PLI Interurbans after 1933.
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Some of the activities that took place on June 5, 1938.
Portland Press Herald - June 6, 1938 - page 6
Before visiting the Arbutus at Mrs. Anthony's, the Portland Division ERA members on the fan trip, rode the Biddeford and Saco open trolley car, No. 246.
Double-truck, open trolley car, No. 246, of the Biddeford and Saco Railroad
Company on Saco Avenue, near the former location of the Old Orchard Beach
High School. It's June 5, 1938, with the ERA group on board with the
Portland Division ERA banner displayed on the dasher. No. 246
was originally operating for the Portland Railroad starting in 1911. It was
sold to the B&SRR in 1927. The final day for trolleys operating for the
B&SRR was July 5, 1938. No. 246 was the final open trolley car to carry
passengers at the end of the day on July 5, 1938. The motorman that
operated No. 246 on its final trip, was Foster Leavitt, Sr. Foster,
and his brother Eddie, would become members of the Seashore Trolley
Museum and operated B&SRR open car No. 31 in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
O. R. Cummings Collection 2009_2_15_046
Evening Express - June 6, 1938 - page 11
One of the Portland Division ERA members with the Arbutus at
Mrs. Anthoney's home in Bay View, Saco, Maine on June 5, 1938.
O R Cummings Collection
Courtesy Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Biddeford Saco Journal - June 6, 1938 - page 3
The interior of the Arbutus. This photo was not taken while the Arbutus
was at Mrs. Anthony's. I included it so you could see it :)
The next three photos of the Arbutus at Mrs. Anthony's were taken in 1940.
During the 1940 visit to Mrs. Anthony's to spend time with the Arbutus, Ted Santarelli, the leader of the founders of the Seashore Trolley spent some time talking to Mrs. Anthony about the new trolley car collection in Kennebunkport, the Seashore Electric Railway (Seashore Electric Railway would become Seashore Trolley Museum). Ted asked Mrs. Anthony to consider having the Arbutus become part of the collection at the Kennebunkport site in the future. Mrs. Anthony's reply was that the Arbutus was a memorial to her dearly beloved father and she wasn't looking to give the Arbutus up. A few years later, towards the end of WWII, sadly, Mrs. Anthony had the Arbutus scrapped so the metal could benefit the War effort.
A few years later, in the 1960s, the members at the Seashore Trolley Museum were able to negotiate with the owner of the body of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, No. 14, Narcissus, and by building the owner a new home, to replace the Narcissus where they had lived, the members were able to acquire the Narcissus body.
Click Here: for the post on looking back 50 years at the Narcissus being acquired.
Arbutus in the yard of Gertrude Libbey Anthony (1940)
in Bay View, Saco, Maine. Image from the incredible
scrapbook containing materials from the reunions
(1938-1941) of the former employees of the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The PLI employees
Scrapbook is among the holdings
of the Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Arbutus in the yard of Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony(1940)
in Bay View, Saco, Maine. Image from the incredible
scrapbook containing materials from the reunions
(1938-1941) of the former employees of the
Portland-Lewiston Interurban. The PLI employees
Scrapbook is among the holdings
of the Seashore Trolley Museum Library
Arbutus in the yard of Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony circa
1940 in Bay View, Saco, Maine.
O. R. Cummings Collection
A round sandstone coaster of an Arbutus.
A series of coasters was created in 2021 for merchandise
that could be available for fundraising efforts to benefit the
Narcissus project. Artwork by Amy J. Gagnon
We continue the restoration work on the Narcissus, the only surviving interurban coach of the PLI. Please consider making a donation to the Narcissus Project to help the restoration work continue to completion.
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
Print: A Bookstore, Portland
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 a one-time donation or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5.
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: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can email: finance@NEERHS.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, Jill, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2712 ext. 5,
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 - 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, majestic stained glass windows.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
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