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.
"Red Ink" photo, series by same photographer named for red ink used for writing descriptions on reverse side of similarly-mounted images. A large apartment complex now sits in the land that was once the quarry.
Caption on reverse reads: "Edgemont, Pa. on West Chester Pike. Car line ran from 69th St. to West Chester along West Chester Pike." Donated by Mrs. Hoyt (nee Sills), April 11, 1982. This building, which is no longer standing, was on the south side of West Chester Pike, just west of Providence Road. Address is approximate, but roughly where the Glam Nail Lounge stood in 2019.
All these buildings were demolished during Media's urban renewal project starting in the late 1960s. See also P-01296. Scan made from original negative.
On reverse, probably left to right: James Loughran, Betty Greenlee, Frances Keller, Lucretia Passaro, Laura Netwall, Gwen Fanuiel, Linda Hetherington, John Hoffman
Frank Lees caption on folder: Engle Bakery, southeast corner State and Orange streets. Front view: Donaldson's dress store occupied the building at this time. Rear view shows bake house at Orange and Baker streets.
Frank Lees caption on folder: Engle Bakery, southeast corner State and Orange streets. Front view: Donaldson's dress store occupied the building at this time. Rear view shows bake house at Orange and Baker streets.
"Red Ink" photo, series by same photographer named for red ink used for writing descriptions on reverse side of similarly-mounted images. Victoria Plush Mills are just out of the picture, to the right.
Five photographs, mounted together, showing Folsom Fire Co., The Darby Ram, State Street, and the Media Fire Co. One view also shows Media No. 20 trolley car. MHAC has a pamphlet from this event: Official souvenir program - Seventh Annual Convention and Parade of the Delaware County Firemen's Association, at Media, Pa., June 6 & 7, 1913.
This photograph dates before the parsonage was built to the west of the church, and before the stained glass window was added above the front door. Copy of original photo; source not noted
