July 15, 1939 - Car 31 before being delivered to the original ten-acre plot of land that
would become the main entrance to the Seashore Trolley Museum (STM)
would become the main entrance to the Seashore Trolley Museum (STM)
Handouts - Walking Talk - Original 10 Acres 3-16&17-2024 STM - Phil Morse Tour Guide
All dates are best utilized as stating “about, around, best fit” 🙂 A work in progress
All dates are best utilized as stating “about, around, best fit” 🙂 A work in progress
A rented old Mack Truck's rear end far left, with rails secured to its top that are extended
from beneath the end of 1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open car No. 31 with a young
unknown boy on his bicycle looking at the unknown photographer. The right end of Car 31
is held up by Bob Smart’s Mack Truck wrecker. To keep the front end tires of the wrecker on
the ground, the wrecker’s front end is chained to the rear end of Everett Greenleaf’s dump
truck, seen to the right of the wrecker. This “chained” together parade of vehicles was about
90-feet long. #31 was backed into the ROW. Look at the photo below and
think about how challenging that would have been. The Clough’s driveway was torn up a bit.
from beneath the end of 1900 Biddeford & Saco Railroad open car No. 31 with a young
unknown boy on his bicycle looking at the unknown photographer. The right end of Car 31
is held up by Bob Smart’s Mack Truck wrecker. To keep the front end tires of the wrecker on
the ground, the wrecker’s front end is chained to the rear end of Everett Greenleaf’s dump
truck, seen to the right of the wrecker. This “chained” together parade of vehicles was about
90-feet long. #31 was backed into the ROW. Look at the photo below and
think about how challenging that would have been. The Clough’s driveway was torn up a bit.
The next day, Ted, summering on Peaks Island in Casco Bay (Portland); boarded the ferry boat,
“Nancy Helen”, at the wharf in Portland walked to the Customs Building and took a Portland RR
trolley to Monument Square, he boarded a Portland bus for Old Orchard Beach,
then boarded a Biddeford and Saco Bus RR bus for Five Points then walked to
Granite Street Extension and continued walking about four miles along the former ASL ROW
to the Cloughs. Borrowed rake and shovel, repaired their driveway, and returned to Peaks
Island; by foot, bus, bus, trolley, and ferryboat (roundtrip 62 miles/12 miles of walking by foot).
“Nancy Helen”, at the wharf in Portland walked to the Customs Building and took a Portland RR
trolley to Monument Square, he boarded a Portland bus for Old Orchard Beach,
then boarded a Biddeford and Saco Bus RR bus for Five Points then walked to
Granite Street Extension and continued walking about four miles along the former ASL ROW
to the Cloughs. Borrowed rake and shovel, repaired their driveway, and returned to Peaks
Island; by foot, bus, bus, trolley, and ferryboat (roundtrip 62 miles/12 miles of walking by foot).
The map on the left shows the original ten acres - nearly 2,000 feet along the former ASL ROW.
Shaped like a 22% acute angle, with the vertex where the lines meet at approximately the Clough’s
driveway. The former Atlantic Shore Line ROW continues south to where it ran along the east side of
what was the Biddeford Road (currently Log Cabin Road). About where the main entrance to STM is
currently. This is where Harris Siding (Crossing) was located. The waiting room may have been
in the building that was Clough’s garage is barely seen on the far right in the above photo.
The 1954 photo is looking south from the ROW towards Kennebunbunkport. The covered
cellar in the background is Carl Clough’s (the house would be constructed over the next couple
of years), where members would be invited to have lunch and/or dinner, for a small fee.
The “Highway Monster” trailer is being constructed. The track “S” curve area was “Clough Crossing.”
Shaped like a 22% acute angle, with the vertex where the lines meet at approximately the Clough’s
driveway. The former Atlantic Shore Line ROW continues south to where it ran along the east side of
what was the Biddeford Road (currently Log Cabin Road). About where the main entrance to STM is
currently. This is where Harris Siding (Crossing) was located. The waiting room may have been
in the building that was Clough’s garage is barely seen on the far right in the above photo.
The 1954 photo is looking south from the ROW towards Kennebunbunkport. The covered
cellar in the background is Carl Clough’s (the house would be constructed over the next couple
of years), where members would be invited to have lunch and/or dinner, for a small fee.
The “Highway Monster” trailer is being constructed. The track “S” curve area was “Clough Crossing.”
1900 B&S RR Car 31 - "southern facing" end in the ROW of the former Atlantic Shore
Line Railway. The northern end is mostly on the southern end of the original ten acres
of what would become STM.
Car 31's truck is placed under its southern-facing end. November 11, 1939, Car 31
was extended fully onto the STM property. R: taken early in 1940.
1940-Nearly 60 members - 300 feet of track, one switch & overhead wire.
1940 track & proposed track work. Two tracks within the sidelines where the proposed
first carhouse position was graded for construction. Concrete pillars were poured
(known as “Stonehenge”) but never completed)
Right: 1906 Manchester St. Rwy No. 38’s body arrived early in 1940. On its trucks later.
first carhouse position was graded for construction. Concrete pillars were poured
(known as “Stonehenge”) but never completed)
Right: 1906 Manchester St. Rwy No. 38’s body arrived early in 1940. On its trucks later.
1940 - the third streetcar was the body of the former 1920 Portland Railroad/
Biddeford&Saco RR No. 615. (L:615-31-38) The fourth streetcar to arrive was
the body of 1895, Manchester St. Rwy. No. 60 (R:60-38)
The 1906 Car 38 at the Kennebunk train station, then, loaded onto a trailer and transported
to STM Spring 1940.
New England Electric Railway Historical Society was incorporated as a 501c3 organization
in 1941. Originally, the name of the organization was Seashore Electric Railway.
in 1941. Originally, the name of the organization was Seashore Electric Railway.
Transitioned to be known as the Seashore “Trolley Museum” later in the 1950s.
Visitors and the general public had referred to the site as the Trolley Museum.
Online access to Annual Reports (1940-) and Dispatch newsletters (1958-)
www.trolleymuseum.org
1941-1944 due to World War II, not a lot of activity. 1945- Reset and for many years
following, activities skyrocketed. 1946 & 1947 - Several cars/work cars were acquired
but were stored in other states for a while.
Visitors and the general public had referred to the site as the Trolley Museum.
Online access to Annual Reports (1940-) and Dispatch newsletters (1958-)
www.trolleymuseum.org
1941-1944 due to World War II, not a lot of activity. 1945- Reset and for many years
following, activities skyrocketed. 1946 & 1947 - Several cars/work cars were acquired
but were stored in other states for a while.
1919 YUCo Cars 82 & 80 arrived in 1946. 1926 YUCo 88 in 1947, along with
the 1929 S-117 Line truck (Photos Left and Center were taken later, maybe in
the early 1950s).
1918 Eastern MA No. 4387 arrived in 1947-Forest Fire 1947-1901 CT 303/615 arrived in 1948.
1906 CT Co. No. 1160 arrived in 1949. 1906 Electric locomotive ASL-100 arrived in 1949.
1949 CMP gave permission for a crossing - Cloughs gave permission to use a piece of their land
on the west side of the ROW to unload cars/equipment. Clough’s Crossing was established.
Burgeoning mainline heading north, east side of shop 1. 1927 - Eastern MA - 7005 arrives 1950.
Burgeoning mainline heading north, east side of shop 1. 1927 - Eastern MA - 7005 arrives 1950.
Looking south - Early 50s - Shop 1 in the background - 1950 - Old Mosquito Lake was filled in and
Shop 1 construction began in 1951 on that location - Sides and the doors were added by 1953.
Bunkhouse in the foreground - 1893 Mousam Railroad south of the Bunkhouse.
Right: Early 1950s - Shop 1 on the left…Mainline on the right with ASK-100, 1904 PD&Y Postal car.
1951 - 1931 Lehigh Valley No. 1030 arrives - Right: Power Station construction
Power Station lean-to was also used for sleeping quarters - 1952 - 1905 CT 838 and 1911 CT 1468.
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1952/53 - Shop 1 - L-1895 Boston El No.1059 arrives - R- 1903 Boston El No. 475 arrives
1952 - 40 loads of gravel used around Shop 1 and at the south entrance at Biddeford Road.
new 25-foot culvert and rebuild the unloading ramp.
The City of Manchester arrived. Uncanoonic Substation arrived and was placed
across the ROW from the Bunkhouse.
across the ROW from the Bunkhouse.
1954-1903 Claremont Flat Trailer arrives-1925 Blackpool double-decker -1924 Boston Elevated 5821.
1953 - 1267 arrives - the first car to operate with Power Station Elec. - Dec 1953 - Bunkhouse done
1954-Highway Monster trailer done-1912 Philadelphia Rapid No. 6618 acquired 1954-arrived 1955.
1954 - Barn moved from next door - hurricane did it in. Shop 1 Completed
1954-1894 West End No. 925-R-paint shed, storage, & Uncanoonic Station-1895 MStRwy No. 60
1954 - First year to be “officially” open to public visitors for the season-no rides-Souvenir shop/right
1955-Looking south from the roof of Shop 1. More than 100 acres were purchased in 1955.
Permission received to use 4 miles of the ROW. New grade extended mainline to the former
Permission received to use 4 miles of the ROW. New grade extended mainline to the former
ASL-ROW roadbed. Carpenter shop completed - Arlington Heights Loop arrived - not installed
Mainline extension and spur to South Boston
 |
1955-South Boston track. Construction-1956. Roofing completed-1958 - Sides added years later.
1956-First season for public rides - 10,000 visitors/limited parking - Land purchased
& work started at “The Terminal” on Rt. 1 (40 acres) -
R-1924 Montreal No. 504, 1906 Los Angeles Rwy
No. 521.1957 - Route 1 Terminal opened - 20,000 visitors
1958 - Permanent ramp - 1878 Union St. Rwy No. 34 - (1973 1906 Boston EL 5071 last car on
ramp before being razed) 700 members - 70 cars in the collection (50% of all trolley museums)
Started using “Trolley Museum” as media promotion - CMP ROW purchased -
The Dispatch newsletter began distribution.
1959 - 1915 B&W No. 149 arrived/set up across from Carpenter shop - Shop #2
was well underway and with the first poles for Riverside carbarn installed.
1960-1911 Nagasaki Elec. Tramway No. 60 arrives - 2 acres purchased from Cloughs
for Arlington Heights Loo, included the pine-grove picnic area - nearly 1,000 members
final year-“Terminal” use - Mainline to “C” Arlington Heights Loop constructed to begin
1961 - Mainline extended to Messerve’s Crossing - Gift shop moved (later barber shop
added) and was connected to the Carpenter Shop - the City of Manchester removed from
the Carpenter Shop earlier.
1962 - Arlington Heights Loop completed
The early 1960s - AdmisThe aion shelter, left, was moved to Arlington Heights Loop - right -
later moved again and added to the gift shop.
later moved again and added to the gift shop.
The early 1960s
1969 - Karl Johnson on ROW across from gift shop - all visitors entered/exited via ROW -
South Boston with “Little River” outhouse
South Boston with “Little River” outhouse
L- after the gift shop was moved and combined with the carpenter shop - the barber shop arrives
1970 showing barber shop added to Gift shop - 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14,
Narcissus in the parking lot. R -1974/75 after the older admission shelter was added to
the barbershop side of the gift shop and all was renovated
In the early 1970s just before the main entrance garage building and ramp were removed -
Aerial view of main entrance 1973/very early 1974 with no ramp of the garage building.
Aerial view of main entrance 1973/very early 1974 with no ramp of the garage building.
1973-the ramp had already been removed from just behind the building. This photo was taken
just before the building was razed. R: spring 1974 (Sign promoting the first Maine Day
May Day Concert for School Around Us.
The new main entrance sign with Silent Policeman later in 1973 or early 1974 R: 1974 Jim Hamlin
building the stone flower bed at the base.
The stone flower garden is looking great. R - Muddy spring.
Early 1970s Arundel Station arrives - Admission Shelter (built summer ‘74) next to the parking lot -
Tower C arrived in 1975
In the mid-1970s - Arundel Station and Admission Shelter at Arlington Heights Loop.
In the mid-1970s - Car 31 with Karl Johnson at the controls - R: 1981 main entrance.
1973/74 after garage and ramp removed/before main entrance sign - R -December 2021 by
Dan Viehman (Ernie Eaton) - Looking North
December 2023 by Eric Gilman - Looking South
Click Here: Birth of Seashore Trolley Museum - Interview with Founder Theodore Santarelli de Brasche
Click Here: Seashore Trolley Museum Website
Click Here: Millie Book Lesson Plans
Click Here: Millie Book Resources
Click Here: Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail
Click Here: Maine Railways and Narcissus Project
Click Here: The Saga of Northampton Station Coming to Maine 1990
Click Here: 1901 Tower C Boston Elevated to STM 1975
Click Here: 80th Anniversary Seashore Trolley Museum 1939-2019
Click Here: "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum - A Look Back at the 50s
Click Here: "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum-A Look Back at the 60s
Click Here: "80th Anniversary Year-Seashore Trolley Museum-A Look Back at the 70s
Click Here: 80th Anniversary Trolley Parade at Seashore Trolley Museum 2019
We are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 110+-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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. The only surviving interurban of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Railroad. 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
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-resolution 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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