The I. Frank Lees Collection forms the backbone of the collections of the Media Historic Archives Commission, and is its reason for being. MHAC--an official arm of the Media, Pennsylvania government--was created to administer a collection of photographs and other material which I. Frank Lees (1919-1999), a lifelong resident, donated to the borough in 1981. The collection contains roughly 15,000 items, including the more than 1,800 photographs which are presented here. More photographs from this collection, and from other collections donated after Lees' death in 1999, will be added to this site in the future.
THANKS TO
- Chris Welc, for scanning more than 1,000 photographs in the photograph folders that Frank Lees had created. and for creating the first version of the Excel spreadsheet that became the basis of the catalog records on this site.
- Adam Levine scanned hundreds more photographs, fleshed out the photograph descriptions, and created the final metadata now attached to each image.
- Media Borough Council approved the purchase of a new computer and scanners for MHAC, and funded the creation and upkeep of this website.
Spatial Coverage
Media, Pennsylvania and vicinity, as well as other locations (including the Panama Canal Zone) related to Media people.
View across the loading dock toward Gayley Street and Baltimore Avenue, showing Pinocchio's Pizza on the northeast corner, and a Texaco gas station on the southest corner. This building, which replaced a municipal metered parking lot, was dedicated on November 17, 1962. Frank Leees is the small man in front of the crowd, with a camera around his neck.
Removed from frame. Donated by Giota Hartas, of Giota's West End Hairstyling, 20 S. Orange Street, Media, on June 29, 1995. Stored in Misc. Photos Box 2
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Media High School marching band
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware County Fire Companies of the State of Pennsylvania.
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Women's drill team with marching band.
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Media Fire Co. No. 1 with decorated fire engine, Media Armory
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Marching band
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Unidentified women's auxiliary carrying American flag
View looking southeast on State Street from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Media Armory. Veteran's honor guard, carrying flags on staffs.
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Marching band.
View looking southeast on State Street, toward Media Armory, from elevated vantage point near the northeast corner of State Street and Jackson Street. Drill team and honor guard followed by marching band.
