Join us as we step into the rich history of the Seashore Trolley Museum, celebrating 85 years of preserving trolley heritage with Phil Morse, a devoted leader and long-time member. Phil's passion for keeping trolley history alive is evident as he shares his personal connection with the museum. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s Depression and the transition from trolleys to buses, discover how a group of young, visionary men laid the foundation for what would become a pivotal institution in transportation history.
🎓 From Harvard Dreams to Historic Rails 🚋

Dive into the captivating story of Car 31's dramatic rescue, a mission that tested the resolve and creativity of a small group of trolley enthusiasts. Learn how their dedication and community support saved this historic trolley from being scrapped, securing its place as a cherished piece of the museum’s collection. As you explore the museum’s treasures, you'll encounter the luxurious Narcissus trolley from the Portland-Lewiston interurban line, an icon of early 20th-century elegance in travel. Experience the nostalgia and wonder of trolleys like never before. Whether you're a seasoned trolley aficionado or just discovering the charm of electric railways, this episode will spark your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for these extraordinary vehicles and the stories they tell.
📚 Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride 🚎
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would-running 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.

This book is a fund-raiser for the Seashore Trolley Museum Narcissus Renovation Project.

Link to Purchase This Book from the Museum:
https://store.trolleymuseum.org/teddy-roosevelt-millie-and-the-elegant-ride.html
🔗 Episode Links
Phil's Blog:
https://narcissus1912.blogspot.com/
Seashore Trolley Museum:
https://trolleymuseum.org/
The Biddeford and Saco Railroad by Osmond Richard Cummings:
https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/books_pubs/31/
Biddeford & Saco Railroad Co. 31 Car:
https://collections.trolleymuseum.org/items/14
Narcissus 1912 Renovation Project:
https://narcissus1912.blogspot.com/p/about.html
Virtual Tour of the Narcissus:
https://narcissus1912.blogspot.com/2020/06/virtual-tour-narcissus-3-d.html

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Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers

Join us for an enlightening journey through the rich history and diverse ecosystems of the White Mountains, also known as the "Switzerland of America." Discover the ancient origins of the Appalachian Mountains and their profound geological and cultural significance. We'll highlight the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Abenaki communities, whose enduring legacy is under threat from an invasive insect species.
🧺 Of Baskets and Borers: Abenaki Basketry and Conservation Efforts 🌲
At the Museum of the White Mountains, we delve into the “Of Baskets and Borers” exhibit, exploring the severe threat posed by the Emerald Ash Borer to ash trees, disrupting delicate ecosystems and endangering the tradition of Abenaki basketry. Discover the natural history of ash trees that makes them a favorite among these skilled basket weavers and learn how the Emerald Ash Borer is decimating these vital trees. The exhibit also highlights promising conservation efforts, including naturally resistant ash trees, the use of parasitoid wasps to control the borer population, and protective insecticide injections.
🔗 Episode Links
Museum of the White Mountains (MWM): https://www.plymouth.edu/mwm/
MWM Youtube lecture series: https://www.youtube.com/@mwmpsu

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Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers

📅 A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
Today, we reflect on December 7, 1941—a date that will live in infamy. On this day, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. With Amanda Sheley as our guide, we delve into the attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Hawaii. Join us as we uncover the reality of the attack, which extended beyond Pearl Harbor to multiple airfields on Oahu. We examine the circumstances that both aided and hindered the response of U.S. forces, including chaotic communication efforts, technological limitations, and human errors.

🤝 Unsung Heroes
Amidst this chaos, unsung heroes emerge, such as in the Niʻihau Incident where a native Hawaiian woman played a crucial role in what became the first battle of WWII. We also highlight the rallying of local communities to support the war effort, exemplified by the model airplane project in which students meticulously crafted 500,000 exact models to train soldiers in field identification. Additionally, we discuss the tragic fate of three men who were trapped underwater with no hope of rescue for over two weeks aboard the sunken USS West Virginia.

🎖️ Heroism and Impact
This episode delves into stories of true heroism in the face of adversity and explores the profound and lasting impact Pearl Harbor had on world history. Please note, this episode contains depictions of death and may not be suitable for all listeners.

🔗 Episode Links
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org
Day of Infamy Speech: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Infamy_speech

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Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers

This week we head to Virginia to visit Luray Caverns, the most highly decorated caverns in the world according to the Smithsonian. In this episode, we hear from three professionals who share the history of the caverns, the science behind the decorating formations, and how The Great Stalacpipe Organ creates music.

Phantom Chasers

Luray Caverns was discovered on August 13th, 1878 by three local men: Andrew J. Campbell (a local tinsmith), William Campbell, and local photographer Benton Stebbins. These fellows were prospecting for a show cave as they knew of a cave in southern Virginia that was open and giving tours. If they could find a cave, they too could make some money.

They spent a whole summer looking at every sinkhole on every farmer's land, all around town. The townspeople thought they were crazy, calling them “Phantom Chasers”. Eventually, the group came across one particular sinkhole. When they put their hands down, they felt cool air coming out of a quarter-size hole in the ground. They enlarged the hole enough for one man, Andrew Campbell, to slide down on a rope with a candle in hand. They discovered what they were looking for, one of the largest caverns in the world.

The Science of Cavern Decor

Cavern formations are created when water on the surface infiltrates into the ground. It picks up minerals that are in the soil and rock as it seeps into the earth.

Eventually, it enters the cavern system through microscopic pores in the rock. As the water drips and flows in, it deposits those minerals along the ceilings, walls, and floors. And over many, many years those minerals build up and reconstitute into these larger formations.
On average, scientists estimate that formations at Luray take around 120 years to grow one cubic inch. The largest formation in the cavern system is 40 feet tall, 120 feet in circumference at the base, and is an estimated seven and a half million years old. It’s called the Giant Redwood Tree as it resembles the trunk of a giant Sequoia.

The Great Stalacpipe Organ

Mr. Leland Sprinkles brought his son to Luray Caverns for his fifth birthday. At the time, tour guides would play a tune on the stalactites and stalagmites by striking them with a mallet. This gave Mr. Sprinkles, an engineer and organist, the idea to create a playable organ using the cave’s formations. With an agreement over a handshake, Sprinkles began developing the organ.

He would scout for tones by striking the formations and pick those that were closest. Then he would tune them to concert pitch by sanding them down. It was first played in 1957 and is still in use today. It covers three and a half acres, making it the world’s largest natural musical instrument!
Episode Links:

• Luray Caverns webpage: https://luraycaverns.com/
• Discovery of Luray Caverns, Virginia by Russell H. Gurneebook: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/discovery-of-luray-caverns-virginia_russell-h-gurnee/1801668/item/8715266/#edition=727824&idiq=32909429

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Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers

Join us as we delve into the tragic and mysterious world of Edgar Allan Poe, one of literature's most intriguing figures. Discover his legacy and unravel the secrets of his life at the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

🕯️ Melancholy and Masterpieces 🎭
Explore how Poe's tumultuous adolescence, marked by loss and upheaval, fostered a sense of melancholy that permeated his future works, including "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Raven," and my personal favorite, "The Tell-Tale Heart." Discover often overlooked aspects of Poe's life, such as his career as a book critic, his role as the inventor of the detective story, and his fascination with the cosmos.
🔍 Unveiling Poe's Life, Death, and Legacy ⚰️ Even in death, Poe remains shrouded in intrigue, with his body being reburied no less than three times in the same cemetery. We'll also examine the legend of the Poe Toaster, a mysterious cloaked figure who sneaked into the cemetery and left a tribute for Poe on his birthday until 2009.
🔗 Episode Links

• Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum: https://www.poeinbaltimore.org/
• Complete Works of Poe: https://poemuseum.org/poes-complete-works/

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Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers