KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — The Seashore Trolley Museum will use a $1 million donation — the second largest in its history — to replace an aging building providing covered storage for its cars.
The Portland Press-Herald reports the anonymous gift will allow replacement of the 66-year-old Burton B. Shaw South Boston Car House, which is leaning and must be replaced. The current structure, which stores six cars, is open at the front, leaving the first car on each of its three tracks exposed to the elements.
Its replacement will have a nine-car capacity, and will have roll-up doors and insulation allowing more complete protection for the trolleys. It will primarily be used for the cars the museum currently operates.
Seashore was the original trolley museum in the USA when they bought 1900 Brill Open Car 31 from the nearby Biddeford and Saco in 1939.
South Boston was once open on all sides, but the rear and sides have been enclosed, leaving only the front open. This project will correct that problem with a better building.
(1) OK—who was it? Not me. (2) Seashore DOES have a vast collection of junque along with some bus pornography they keep out of sight unless you know where it is. Keeping after what they already have is the problem–plus the salt air, but at least they don’t have to worry about flooding! Reminds me of that Danbury Museum with its equipment marooned in Glenmont NY.