June 11, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Phil Morse, Executive Director, Seashore Trolley Museum, (207) 967-2712, pmorse@gwi.net
Press Contact: Greg Burke of IMS-21, (207) 985-1766, greg@ims21.net
The $6,000 Challenge An anonymous donor has stepped forth at the Seashore Trolley Museum to offer a challenge - to match dollar for dollar all funds raised this year toward the complete restoration and refurbishment of Car #31 up to $6,000. This $6,000 donation is a great support and will go a long way to help the Museum reach its budgeted goal of $35,000 in work needed to return the Trolley Museum's first car to top-notch condition as the car enters its 100th year of operation. The challenge was issued on April 14, 1999 and applies toward all funds raised between that date and the end of the year. This past week the Amherst Railway Society Inc. from Amherst Massachusetts stepped forward and gave $2,500 toward the project.Prior to the April 14th $6,000 challenge, the Museum had received similar generous donations from Pepperell Trust Company, Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution, Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union and Biddeford Savings Bank.
Come and visit Car 31 for yourself when the Seashore Trolley Museum and the York Institute Museum in Saco get together to offer an exciting "on the road" exhibit this summer. This major new exhibit titled "You Could Get There from Here" will start June 22nd and run through December 31, 1999 at the York Institute Museum. On June 22nd Car #31 will be on display in Saco, at the York Institute Museums Dyer parking lot, returning to its roots for the first time in 60 years! Car #31 operated in the Biddeford, Saco & Old Orchard Beach community for 39 years (1900-1939) and was the Seashore Trolley Museum's first car - the car that started a worldwide movement of trolley preservation. Car #31 will celebrate its 100th birthday next summer.
Wednesday June 23rd Car 31 will continue its "road show", stopping at Main Street Biddeford where the Biddeford & Saco Rotary will then feature Car 31 in a noon time presentation, then on to the Govenors Restaurant in Biddeford. Thursday morning June 24th Car 31 travels to the Old Orchard Beach Historical Society and the Village Inn Restaurant in the afternoon. Friday June 25th, Car 31 starts the day at the Shop & Save in Biddeford. Then moves into the La Kermesse Parade ending up at the Fairgrounds for the La Kermesse weekend. On Sunday afternoon June 27th, Car 31 returns to the Seashore Trolley Museum to be put on the tracks for the 60th anniversary celebration the following weekend (4th of July).
Support this community project by making a generous donation to the Seashore Trolley Museum and Car 31. The Seashore Trolley Museum is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, and contributions may be Federally tax-deductible. For more information about becoming a major donor for this community project contact: Phil Morse at 207-967-2712. Or e-mail him at: pmorse@gwi.net
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The Seashore Trolley Museum has been operated by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society since 1939 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational institution. The Museum is currently celebrating its 60th season having opened May 1, 1999.