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.
On reverse: Negative number 5015 or 50-2. Photograph by A. H. Tipping. Caption reads: Severe storm swells small wading creek to over 8 feet deep. The swollen torrential stream is about to overflow into Media Borough's water system. The water within the enclosure is filtered drinking water to be piped to houses and businesses.
On reverse: Negative number 5015 or 50-3. Photograph by A. H. Tipping. Caption reads: Severe storm swells small wading stream to over 8 feet in depth. The swollen torrential stream is about to overflow into the Borough's water system. The water within the enclosure is filtered drinking water.
On reverse: 5015, 50-1. Photograph by A. H. Tipping. Caption reads: Bridge on U.S. Rt #1 (Baltimore Pike) just over Media Borough line opposite Media Water Works in Upper Providence Township. Severe storms swell small creek to overflowing capacity. Creek normally is very shallow while here it is a swollen torrent 8 feet deep.
This is probably Peggy Jones, the flower girl at the wedding of Theodore D. Hadley, Jr. and Betty Ann Laning, both of Media, which took place at the Media Presbyterian Church. (Chester Times, May 27, 1950, p. 8)
Photo taken at "Idlewild Field," which might have been on the old Idlewild Hotel property off Manchester Road, near Media. Some players are identified on reverse.
