Narcissus 1912 Renovation Project: Maine Rwys/Narcissus

Maine Rwys/Narcissus

Starting in 1863, Monument Square was the hub for the

Portland Railroad Company's far-reaching public

transportation system. Image circa 1910 Print courtesy-PWM

Click Here to see the QR Code list for the Homeschoolers' Convention - April 2023

Updated 11-29-2023

This first section: Railways in Maine; Horse and Electrics the 1860s-1940s

Scroll down to the second section: Narcissus History and Restoration

Section One - Railways in Maine; Horse and Electrics the 1860s-1940s

Biography of Amos Fitz Gerald: "Electric Railway King" of the Pine Tree State

W. S. Libbey: The Man and His Mill

W. S. Libbey: Builder of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban - His Rare Stanley Steamer

W. S. Libbey: Quite Likely the Most Valuable Stanley Steamer in the World - Right Here in Maine

W. S. Libbey: Sudden Death of Hon. W. Scott Libbey

W. S. Libbey: Winfield Scott Libbey - August 27, 1851-May 17, 1914

O. R. Cummings 1923-2013 - Author of More than Fifty Books on Electric Railways

Clyde Walker Pierce, Jr.: 1915-2011 - Oral History (Audio): Portland-Lewiston Interurban & Trolleys

Mildred Knowles Obrey: 1908-2007 - Oral History: South Berwick Life with Trolleys

Rosemary E. Davis: 1924-2011 - Oral History - Biddeford, Saco, OOB

Rose A. (Goulet) Lange: 1908-2002 - Oral History May 2001 - Biddeford, Saco, OOB

Oral History Interview: Elizabeth Megquier Whitney (1918-1921), Miriam Bisbee (1920-), & Charlotte Verrill Frost (1922-) at Gray Historical Society

Gladys P. Anderson: 1889-1983 - Recollection of visiting Riverton Trolley Park 1901

Patron Pines for the PLI - A Poem 1939

Ninty Communities in Maine Had Electric Railway Service!

Fifty-Seven-Million Passengers were Carried on Electric Railways in Maine in 1915!

Feb/Mar 1939 - The Maine Electric Transiteer (Newsletter) - Portland (ME) Division of Electric Railroaders Assoc

May 1938 - The Maine Electric Transiteer (Newsletter) - Portland (ME) Division of Electric Railroaders Assoc

April 1938 - The Maine Electric Transiteer (Newsletter) - Portland (ME) Division of Electric Railroaders Assoc

1960 Electric Railroad Edition - The Exciter Magazine by Central Maine Power

Links to Maine Railway-related posts

Curricula Resources that are related to Electric Railways

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride

These companion curricula State-standard-based units for

classroom use in grades 3-5 & 6-8 is now available as

open-access resources online through Seashore Trolley

The museum's website at www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/ and

online at Maine Memory Network with other statewide K-12

lesson plans.

Resources related to Electric Railways in Maine

Unit Development:

Vocabulary Activities (Grades 3-8) are based on Tier Two vocabulary words extrapolated from

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride text using the Maine Department of Education

online Academic Word Finder.

Additional grade-level vocabulary words are identified and marked using the

Wordsmyth Vocabulary Inventory (WVI) grade-level band identifier. These are now available as

open-access resources online through Seashore Trolley Museum's website

www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/

Vocabulary and Reading activities include grade-specific Tier Two words from

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride, including; words to define, crossword puzzles,

word search, chapter discussion questions, figurative language activities, etc.

Appendix of vocab words in their sentences, in alphabetical order, with chapter, page,

Tier Two/WVI band identifier noted. These are now available as open-access resources

online through Seashore Trolley Museum's website

www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/

Social Studies Units (History and ELA)

Woven into the Teddy Roosevelt, Millie and the Elegant Ride story are topics that provide opportunities

to help students discover and expand their use and understanding of history, social studies, language arts,

and science.

Following the guidance of the Maine Department of Education, these lesson plan units target the

2019 Maine Learning Results for Social Studies and Common Core State Standards:

English Language Arts Standards > History/Social Studies > Grades 6-8

The lesson plans in this companion to the curriculum explore a variety of topics including;

The history of the trolley used in early 20th Century Maine
Maine rural life at the turn of the century,
The story of Theodore Roosevelt and his relationship with Maine
World War One
The flu pandemic of 1918-1920

Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson plan units inspired

by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These companion curricula State-standard-based

units for classroom use in grades 3-5 & 6-8 are now available as open-access

resources online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's website

www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/ and online at

Maine Memory Network with other statewide K-12 lesson plans.

Content Areas and Strands:

* Social Studies - Civics & Government

* Social Studies - Geography

* Social Studies - History

Duration: 8-18 days

Time Period: 1851-1920

Bicentennial Themes:

* Living in Maine

* The Business of Maine

* Maine Leads

* The Maine Character

Intended Outcomes:

Students will practice the skills involved in researching and analyzing primary sources.
Students will practice historical research skills.
Students will be able to identify different modes of transportation historically used in Maine
Students will be able to answer why the use of the trolley system was innovative and efficient.
Students will be able to identify different types of trolley cars that were used in Maine.
Students will be able to describe the history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and the Narcissus.
Students will be able to describe the shift from small family farms to commercial farming in ME.
Students will be able to identify the major agricultural industries and products historically associated with Maine.
Students will be able to describe life on an early 20th-century Maine family farm and how life has changed in Maine since the early 1900s.
Students will be able to describe the difference between attending school in the early 20th century and attending school today.
Students will be able to explain Theodore Roosevelt's connections to Maine and the people of Maine.
Students will be able to describe the work and accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt.
Students will be able to describe the platform of the Bull Moose Party.
Students will be able to explain the role and duties of the president of the United States.
Students will consider what qualities and skills would make a person a good candidate for President of the United States.
Students will be able to describe the lives, work, and contributions of Americans on the home front during World War I using primary resources.
Students will be able to explain what propaganda is and how it was used by the U. S. government during World War I.
Students will be able to describe what many soldiers faced during World War I.
Students will be able to describe the impact of the 1918-1920 flu pandemic on World War I and the people in Maine.

Titles of Companion Lesson Plan Units

* "Clang, Clang, Clang, Went the Trolley..."

* Then and Now: Life in Maine

* Maine Agriculture

* The Narcissus and the PLI (Portland-Lewiston Interurban)

* Teddy Roosevelt in Maine

* President Theodore Roosevelt

* World War l Letters

* United States Home Front and Propaganda during World War l

Vocabulary (Word banks and Reading activities) for grades 3-8, along with grades 6-8 ELA and History/Social Studies unit lesson plans are available now at www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/

Links to blog posts that include materials related to Lesson Plans above - More will be added over time

* "Clang, Clang, Clang, Went the Trolley..."

Click Here: Destinations Travel Times by Trolley "In-State" and to "Out-of-State"

Click Here: Field Guide to Maine Trolley Car Types - the 1870s-1930s

Click Here: Poetry Inspired by Trolleys and Operators 1898-1940

* Then and Now: Life in Maine

Click Here: Mildred Knowles Obrey 1908-2007 Oral History Transcript

* The Narcissus and the PLI (Portland-Lewiston Interurban)

Click Here: Narcissus and the PLI

Continue to scroll down to see links and resources People, Places, and Events in Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride.

Click Here to go to the People, Places, and Events online resource post

An image of an original porcelain advertising artifact that was

displayed at the ticket purchasing desk in Lewiston Carhouse

of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban on Middle Street.

Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride Read along as young Millie grows up in rural Gray, Maine, early in the 20th century. Award-winning Maine author, Jean Flahive, tells us a story through the life and times of Millie and some of her experiences, over several years, with certain people, places, and events that we now know are woven into our common local and national history. Jean's storytelling skillfully rekindles the local romance for the elegant electric interurbans. The original six, each named after a flower, carried passengers on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban from 1914 through 1933. Lewiston businessmen, W. S. Libbey, and Henry Dingley brought them to serve the cities of Portland, Auburn, and Lewiston, and the more rural communities of New Gloucester, Gray, West Cumberland, and West Falmouth, during some of the early years of the 20th century. Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, is currently restoring the Narcissus, the only surviving electric interurban from that storied line.

For me, one of the real treats will be as readers of this heart-warming story become familiar with and hopefully endeared to the Narcissus. Readers will learn that they can follow the progress of the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places Portland-Lewiston Interurban icon, Narcissus, to its completion over the next two years... and then...come to Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, Maine, and go for an actual ride on the Narcissus! My sense is, that many readers will find this opportunity to be a very appealing extension of the lovely story. One that they and future readers will be able to enjoy for many, many years.

Initial plans for the ribbon-cutting celebration activities have started with planning to continue to evolve into several very exciting events over several days. Readers of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride will learn from Millie about her deep, life-long connections to the Narcissus, and will literally, be able to experience the "elegant ride" themselves!

Throughout Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride there are references made to various People, Places, and Events that are woven into the everyday lives of the characters as they experience the early years of the 20th century. Below are links to online sources to assist in conducting research concerning these major people, places, and events mentioned in Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The person, place, or event may be a separate listing or it may be included within a grouping of a related topic. This is the initial post and the expectation is that over time, the resources listed on the page will continue to be edited and new ones added.

People, Places, and Events in Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride with online links to resources

Auburn, Maine
Auburn - City Website City of Auburn, Maine
Auburn & Lewiston - Court Street, PLI sites, maps, etc. Narcissus Project blog

Auburn - Androscoggin River City of Auburn
Auburn - Court Street City of Auburn
Auburn - Deer Rips (Dam) City of Auburn - W. S. Libbey and Henry Dingley were the businessmen behind the construction of the Deer Rips Dam. There is a reference to the construction of the dam in the biography of W. S. Libbey that was written by his grandchildren - Click Here to read the biography in the Narcissus Project Blog
Auburn - North Bridge City of Auburn
Additional online resources for Auburn:
Androscoggin Historical Society

TR Visits to Auburn - TR Heritage Trail post

Camp Fire Girls
Handbook Outsideonline.com
Dr. Luther Gulick and Charlotte Gulick Cornerstone Books
Camp Wohelo wohelo.com at Sebago Lake
Camp Fire Girls Ames History Museum
Boy Scouts Boy Scouts of America
Red Cross Red Cross

Dark Harbor/Islesboro, Maine
TR's visit to Dark Harbor TR Maine Heritage Trail post
Additional online resources for Islesboro and Dark Harbor:
Dark Harbor map Town of Islesboro
Islesboro, Maine Town of Islesboro
Islesboro Historical Society

Henry Dingley - W. S. Libbey and Henry Dingley were business partners for many years. There is a reference to how they met and their early business dealings together in the biography of W. S. Libbey written by his grandchildren - Click Here to read the biography in the Narcissus Project Blog

Gray, Maine -
Gray Town of Gray
Civil War monument in Gray Town of Gray
Book resources for Gray:
Images of America - Gray, Maine (Antonio's Store, Armistice Parade, Cobbs Hill, Colley Hill Farm, Gray Corners, Gray Town Hall, Hancock School, Osgood's Ice Cream Parlor, Pennell Institute, South Gray Elementary School, Sweetser General Store, Week's Hill, Yarmouth Road,
Online resources for Gray:
Gray Historical Society

TR visits to Gray (1914 & 1916) TR Maine Heritage Trail post

Grippe, Influenza, Spanish Flu, Epidemic, and Pandemic
Maine Timeline for Pandemic Maine.gov (Capt. Lawry - Secretary of State Senate (Maine) visited Camp Devens, got sick, and died)
Camp Devens - history U.S. Army
U. S. Surgeon General William Gorgas U.S. Army

Island Falls, Maine
Island Falls VisitMaine.com
Other online resources:
Island Falls Historical Society (Facebook Page)

TR visits to Island Falls 1878 & 18979 - TR Maine Heritage Trail post

Indian Tribes - Maine
Wabanaki Nation Four Direction Development Corp
Abbe Museum Abbe Museum

Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston City of Lewiston
The Lewiston Walking History tour City of Lewiston (Lisbon St., Pecks, Leadbetter's, Libbey Mill, etc.) Lewiston and Auburn Narcissus Project Blog (Lisbon Street, PLI sites, maps, etc.)

TR visits to Lewiston 1902, 1914, & 1916- TR Maine Heritage Trail post

W. Scott Libbey - Various blog posts on the life of W.S.Libbey:
W. S. Libbey: The Man and His Mill - the biography by the Libbey grandchildren

W. S. Libbey: Builder of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban - His Rare Stanley Steamer

W. S. Libbey: Quite Likely the Most Valuable Stanly in the World - Right Here in Maine

W. S. Libbey: Sudden Death of Hon. W. Scott Libbey

W. S. Libbey: Winfield Scott Libbey - August 27, 1851-May 17, 1914

McGuffey Reader
McGuffey Reader (School book) PDF Gutenberg.org

Narcissus
What is a Narcissus? Gardenia.net
Newspaper story on how W.S. Libbey chose the names of the original interurbans is here...Lewiston Evening Journal...must scroll to Friday, June 26, 1914 - Front Page "Inspected The Libbey Road: Railroad Commissioners' Official Trip Over P, G, & L, Friday - to read the full story, you will need to scroll to page 11 News.Google.com

New Gloucester, Maine
New Gloucester - Map Town of New Gloucester
Other online resources:
New Gloucester Historical Society

TR visits to New Gloucester 1914 & 1916 - TR Maine Heritage Trail post

Portland, Maine -
Portland City of Portland
Map - Downtown (Current) City of Portland
1909 Portland street map Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society (Streets: Commercial, Crn.Free & Brown, Exchange, Federal, India, Middle, Monument Square, Temple, (waterfront, wharves, seaport)
Falmouth Hotel - Lobby 1900 Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
Grand Trunk Railroad Station Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
S. S. Kresge Company ("Five and Dime") Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
Lincoln Park City of Portland
Union Station (Railroad Station) DigitalMaine
Porteous Department Store - (Christmas Store) Maine Memory Network/Maine Historical Society
Other online resources:
History of Trolleys in Portland (Monument Square) Narcissus Project Blog
Maine Historical Society

TR visits Portland 1902, 1912, 1914, 1916, & 1918 - TR Maine Heritage Trails post

Portland-Lewiston Interurban was originally named the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad
Map details that show areas mentioned in the story...rivers, various stops, etc...reference to cow tunnels, gates, etc., - newspaper story:
Click Here for the link to the Lewiston Evening Journal story of the June 26, 1914 inspection trip by the Maine Railroad Commissioners with many details of the line. When opening the link, the first newspaper, June 23, 1914. You must scroll to the front page of June 26, 1914. The article begins on the front page. You must scroll to page 11 (Inspected the Libbey Roads) to read the remaining article.
Click Here for the link to the Lewiston Daily Sun story of the June 26, 1914 inspection trip as reported on page 6 on June 27, 1914. When opening the link, the first newspaper, June 26, 1914. You must scroll to the June 27th edition and go to page six. the complete summary is on this single page.

Seashore Trolley Museum
Seashore Trolley Museum TrolleyMuseum.org
Kennebunkport, Maine Town of Kennebunkport
Other online resources:
Kennebunkport, Maine Kennebunkport Business Assoc
Kennebunkport Historical Society -

Suffrage/Women's Rights
Maine and National Maine Suffrage Centennial
Women's Suffrage At Last (42-c) USHistory.org
Florence Whitehouse - suffragette/publicist Red Cross - Maine items - Maine Memory Network
Federal Suffrage amendment - Maine and National resources Maine Suffrage Centennial
TR quotes in support of Women's Rights Theodore Roosevelt Association
TR at Sagamore Hill with Suffragettes Library of Congress video
19th Amendment to the Constitution Interactive Constitution

Theodore Roosevelt
His Life and Times on Film - Timeline - Library of Congress
Theodore Roosevelt Timeline - World War I  Theodore Roosevelt Center
Theodore Roosevelt Timeline - The Life of Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Brief Biography Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Connections to Maine Narcissus Project Blog
TR - 26th President of the U.S. Whitehouse.gov
TR - Rough Rider in the White House (43a) USHistory.org
TR - Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt (First Wife) Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Alice Lee Roosevelt (First Daughter) Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Edith Carrow Roosevelt (Second Wife) Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - Spanish-American War Theodore Roosevelt Center
TR - "Remember the Maine!" (44c) USHistory.org
TR - Spanish-American War and Its Consequences (44d) USHistory.org
TR - 1912 Presidential Election (43f) USHistory.org
TR - Amazon Expedition/River of Doubt-Videos Library of Congress
TR - Malaria MentalFloss
TR - Panama Hat President1906
TR - My Debt to Maine (TR's letter) TR Maine Heritage Trail post
TR - Sagamore Hill National Park Service
TR - Sagamore Hill Friends of Sagamore Hill
TR - Died January 6, 1919/Young Memorial Cemetery-Video Library of Congress
TR - Quotes ("Feet on the Ground...") Goodreads
TR - General Wood  First World War

TR Children WW I - Library of Congress videos
Sons in Regiments - WWI-Video Library of Congress
Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt, Jr (First Son) Theodore Roosevelt Center
Kermit Roosevelt (Second Son) Theodore Roosevelt Center
Archibald (Archie) Roosevelt (Third Son) Theodore Roosevelt Center
Quentin (Fourth Son) Military.com
Ethel Roosevelt (Second Daughter) Theodore Roosevelt Center

TR and the Badlands/Dakota Territory
Timeline  Theodore Roosevelt Center

William (Bill) W. Sewall
William W. Sewall Theodore Roosevelt Center
Bill Sewall & Wilmot Dow - National Park Service
Mattawamkeag, Maine (train station) Mattawamkeag Facebook page
"The County" - Aroostook County

TR's visits to Island Falls 1878 & 1879 TR Maine Heritage Trail post

Politics
Bull Moose Party Britannica.com
Bull Moose Party Progressivism Sweeps the Nation 42 USHistory.org
Progressive Party - Student-Teacher Resource Study.com
Progressive Party U-S-History.com
Republican Party - 1916 UCSB.edu
Conservative/Progressive wings of Republican Party 1916 Library of Congress
Democratic Party - 1916 UCSB.edu
William McKinley (25th President of the U. S.) Whitehouse.gov
William Howard Taft (27th President of the U.S.) Whitehouse.gov
Woodrow Wilson (28th President of the U.S.) Whitehouse.gov
Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom-43g USHistory.org
Charles Evan Hughes ConstitutionCenter.org

Wason Manufacturing Company -
Wason Manufacturing Company Midcontinent Blog on Wason Manufacturing (the trolley manufacturing portion begins towards the end of page two)

West Cumberland, Maine
Cumberland
Cumberland Fair History Cumberlandfair.com
Other online resources:
Cumberland Historical Society

West Falmouth, Maine
Falmouth City of Falmouth
Other online resources:
Falmouth Historical Society

TR visit to West Falmouth 1914 TR Maine Heritage Trail post

WWI/The Great War -
Timeline (Includes index to all years/months/days) FirstWorldWar.com
Wilson pledged neutrality FirstWorldWar.com
Cunard's Ocean Liner Lusitania - Ireland/British waters/German Submarines/U-Boats/torpedos
Diplomatic relations off w/Germany...American Liner ship Housatonic sunk the next day...arms deal..other ships sunk FirstWorldWar.com
Joint Session of Congress 4/2/17 - declare War 4-6-17 FirstWorldWar
Conscription/Draft FirstWorldWar.com
Liberty Bonds/Thrift Stamps - Federal Reserve & teacher plans at Study.com
U. S. Treasury Secretary William McAdoo-War/Liberty Bonds/Stamps FirstWorldWar.com
Camp Devens, Ayer, MA - WWI Training Camps FirstWorldWar.com ForcesNetwork
War is over - Armistice FirstWorldWar

Contact Information:

email: p.morse31@gmail.com

Cell phone: 207-985-9723

Linkedin: Phil Morse - Project Manager for the Narcissus - 1912

Facebook: Phil Morse - Seashore Trolley Museum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Section Two: Narcissus History and Restoration

The number two end of the Narcissus is elevated and resting on blocks.

Seashore Trolley Museum volunteers working on a plan to position the body of

the Narcissus "camp" at Sabattus Pond/Lake for loading onto the Museum's

trailer for its road trip south to the Museum campus. October 1969.

Image courtesy of Seashore Trolley Museum

Click Here: for a short virtual 3-D tour of the Narcissus.

The Narcissus was built in 1912 in Laconia, New Hampshire, at the Laconia Car Company Works, for the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad (PG&L), based in Lewiston, Maine. This high-speed, luxury, wooden interurban with its exquisite mahogany interior, resplendent in copious ornamental brass components, including forty ornate leaded stained glass windows, its center ceiling panels embellished with gold leaf fleur-de-lis, with alternating red and green interlocking rubber tile on the floor and it was all appointed by the intrepid builder of the PG&L, W. Scott Libbey.

Libbey, with recommendations from his two daughters, Gertrude and Alla; personally named each of the original six coaches after his favorite flowers. A seventh coach was purchased in 1920, which was named, Maine, in honor of Maine's Centennial. The 46-foot coaches had green plush Mohair upholstered, reversible seats, and a smoking compartment with two, six-foot-long, leather-covered bench seats, making the seating capacity 52 passengers. With its four 90 hp Westinghouse motors, speeds exceeding 70 mph were reached from time to time.

Artwork by Maine artist, Amy J. Gagnon

The most famous passenger to ride in the Narcissus was Theodore Roosevelt. The former President was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates, during a trip from Lewiston to Portland.

The Narcissus operated between Lewiston, Maine, and Portland, Maine on a thirty-mile, private right-of-way. The interurban line was built to steam railroad specifications. Construction of the line was seasonal from 1910 until completed in 1914. Operations commenced early in July 1914 and carried on until the line ceased operations late in June 1933. Just a few weeks before the opening of the line in 1914, the principal owner of the line, W. Scott Libbey, died. Within a couple of months, the management changed and so did the name of the line. It became the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Railroad; best known as the Portland-Lewiston Interurban or simply the PLI.

After nineteen years of operating on the PLI, the Narcissus, along with the other equipment, was put up for sale, either as a fully operational electric railway vehicle or as a wooden body only. Over the years, ultimately, the body of No. 14, Narcissus was the only surviving piece of the rail equipment.

The body was initially sold in the mid-1930s for use in Sabattus, Maine, as a diner near Sabattus Pond. It is unclear what happened, but the diner idea was abandoned.

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.

Later in about 1940, the body was resold to Mr. J. Henri Vallee. Mr. Vallee then made the Narcissus his family summer camp. During the 1960s, members of the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, approached Mr. Vallee with the idea of the Museum acquiring the body of the Narcissus. The Museum wanted to restore the Narcissus to operating condition for two purposes; first, to preserve the sole-surviving piece of Maine's electric interurban railway history; and second, to have the Museum visitors experience the exquisitely appointed, majestic coach, whether while on display or while a passenger during a trip on the Museum's heritage electric railway.

A deal was struck with Mr. Vallee. The Museum, led by Museum member, Mr. William M. Dox, Jr., would arrange for a replacement home to be built for the Vallee family, and in exchange, the Narcissus would become the property of the Museum. The Narcissus arrived at the Seashore Trolley Museum on October 31, 1969. Fifty years later; following years of financial support from generous Museum members, interested individuals, and organizations, and thousands of hours of work by skilled Museum volunteers and staff, a generous major gift from the 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation was pledged in 2018. This major gift became the financial catalyst to propel the restoration of this National Register of Historic Places electric railway icon, Narcissus, forward. When the restoration is complete, the Narcissus will be the elegant operating representative of the finest and fastest electric railroad, not only in Maine but throughout all of New England.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completed restoration of the Narcissus will be near Morrison Hill Station at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. Morrison Hill Station is the original Portland-Lewiston Interurban waiting station (1915) from West Cumberland, Maine.

Morrison Hill Station at Seashore Trolley Museum.

In the meantime, visitors to the Museum can see the work being done on the PLI icon when they walk into the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop at the Museum.

Posts Related to the History of the 1912 Narcissus and the Portland-Lewiston Interurban

Newspaper story on how W.S. Libbey chose the names of the original interurbans is here...Lewiston Evening Journal...must scroll to Friday, June 26, 1914 - Front Page "Inspected The Libbey Road: Railroad Commissioners' Official Trip Over P, G, & L, Friday - to read the full story, you will need to scroll to page 11 News.Google.com

04.27.2015 - The P, G & L "Bouquet" ordered in 1912

06.19.2017 - No. 14, Narcissus - Laconia Car Company-built

08.24.2017 - The Narcissus was Born in Laconia, NH in 1912: Laconia Presentation

12.21.2017 - Laconia Car Company-built Presentation Video Featuring Narcissus 8.19.2017

03.31.2018 - Portland-Lewiston Interurban 1910-1933 - Lewiston Public Library Lecture

07.02.2016 - The Beginning of the Portland, Gray & Lewiston Railroad - July 2, 1914

06.28.2016 - The End of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban - June 28, 1933

09.14.2021 - What Happened to the PLI Interurbans After 1933?

01.15.2022 - PLI Employees Reunion Scrapbook Contents are Being Digitized and Conserved

01.09.2016 - Film Footage of Narcissus when a Summer Camp

04.02.2017 - May 1956 - Portland-Lewiston Interurban by O. R. Cummings - PLI History

01.28.2016 - Vallee Family Pictures of the Narcissus - the 1960s

10.16.2017 - Narcissus Memory, 1965 - The Last Maine Car Available for Restoration

04.16.2017 - September 1967 - Portland-Lewiston Interurban by O. R. Cummings-PLI History

05.20.2015 - Narcissus Enters Townhouse Restoration Shop May 20, 2015

08.15.2015 - Sophia, Descendant of W. S. Libbey visits the Narcissus

01.07.2017 - Narcissus Restoration Project Outreach-Research 2016

10.31.2017 - Forty-Eight Years Ago Today - Halloween, 1969 - The Narcissus Arrived at STM

12.10.2017 - Narcissus Restoration Project - 2017 Outreach & Research Summary

06.09.2018 - Interpretation Planning for the Narcissus Begins

02.18.2019 - Narcissus Restoration Project - 2018 Outreach Summary

10.26.2019 - Fifty Years Ago on Thursday - Halloween - the Narcissus Arrived

09.25.2017 - "I Want To Visit My Old Bedroom" A Tribute to Daniel A. Vallee 1941-2017

06.05.2021 - Detailed Report Comparing 1910 Surveyors' Map with PLI Remnants in 2021

11-15-2022 - Will Be Best Electric Road in The New England States - The PLI - 10-27,1910

12-7-2022 - Newspaper Clipps, Reunion Scrapbook, and Family Journals Provide Details of PLI

12-19-2022 - Substations and Terminals of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban

Posts Related to the Restoration of the 1912 Narcissus

04.27.2015 -Narcissus Ornate Leaded Stained Glass Work

05.20.2015 -Narcissus Enters Townhouse Restoration Shop May 20, 2015

06.15.2015 -Sorting and Cleaning the Interior of the 1912 PLI No. 14, Narcissus has begun

04.23.2016 -Narcissus Restoration Update - Exterior Poplar Frames - Part 1 - 4-22-2016
04.24.2016 -Narcissus Restoration Update - Part 2 - Exterior Poplar Frames - 4-22-2016
04.28.2016 -Narcissus Restoration Update - Part 3 - Exterior Poplar Frames 4-22-2016

04.30.2016 - Narcissus Restoration Update - Mahogany Sash Passenger Windows - 4-29-2016
05.12.2016 - Reclaimed Lumber Used in Narcissus Restoration
05.15.2016 - Narcissus Restoration Update - Part 4 - Exterior Poplar Frames 5-11-2016

09.02.2016 - Narcissus Restoration Update - August 2016
09.21.2016 - Narcissus Restoration Update - Mid-September 2016

11.01.2016 - Perhaps You Should Have a Seat First? - The Making of 20 Seats - From Scratch!
12.19.2016 - Narcissus Restoration Update - 2016 Summary

05.12.2017 - The cell Phone for the Narcissus Arrived Today :)

11.20.2017 - Looking For the Right Match For The Narcissus - Paint Analysis Begins

12.06.2017 - Narcissus Restoration Update - 2017 Summary

01.18.2018 - Part Two: Looking For The Right Match For Narcissus-Professional Paint Analysis

03.03.2018 - Narcissus Restoration Work Continues - First Public Lecture 3.4.2018

03.10.2018 - This Stage of the Narcissus Restoration Adventure Started in 1999

03.25.2018 - Act 2: This Stage of the Narcissus Restoration Adventure Started in 1999

04.21.2018 - Narcissus Restoration Update - 4-20-2018

04.30.2018 - Student Volunteers From Thornton Academy Making A Difference at STM

10.03.2018 - Original 1912 Right Side Sill Removed from the Narcissus

10.25.2018 - Left Side Sill Removed

11.03.2018 - Train Door Questions and Restoration Update

01.14.2019 - Narcissus Restoration Update - Side Sill Removal & Steel Channel Work

02.10.2019 - 2018 - Narcissus Work - Year-End Report

03.14.2019 - Narcissus Restoration Update 2-28-2019

03.20.2019 - Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, "Start to Finish"

06.18.2019 - Narcissus Restoration Update - June 18, 2019

07.17.2019 - Narcissus Brass - The Beauty of Brass One Hundred Years Later

11.26.2019 - Narcissus Restoration Update: Trucks and Side Sills 11-26-2019

12.25.2019 - Narcissus Side Sills Delivery Expected on Friday

12.27.2019 - Narcissus side Sills Arrived Today!! 12-27-2019

02.08.2020 - Narcissus Restoration Update - 2.8.2020

06.29.2020 - Virtual Tour - Narcissus 3-D

10.09.2020 - Narcissus Side Sill Work Begins

03.02.2021 - Narcissus Seat Patterns - First Castings

09.24.2021 - Narcissus Restoration Update

01.28.2022 - Testing the Westinghouse Multi-Unit System for PLI No. 14 Narcissus

09.27.2022 - Narcissus Restoration Update 9-27-2022

02-12-2023 - Narcissus Restoration update

02-12-2023 - High School Intern from Baxter Academy (Portland, ME) Uses Solidworks at STM

06-08-2024 - Narcissus Restoration Update - 6-8-2024

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.

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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!

Theodore Roosevelt on the Narcissus when addressing

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

The Narcissus in the restoration shop in 2022 PWM

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 each 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

* 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

* Seal Cove Auto Museum

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

Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Narcissus 1912 Renovation Project

Pages

Maine Rwys/Narcissus

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