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.
This building was demolished as part of Media's urban renewal project. J. H. stands for J. Harry. See also P-01045C. Copy of original photo; source not noted
Frank Lees caption: "The Risley House stands on the southwest corner of 5th and Monroe Streets and was once the home of Dr. S. D. Risley. This beautiful home had a solarium on the south side and a carriage house in the rear. Dr. Risley's practice was in Philadelphia where he commuted each day." A better version of this photograph is catalogued as AP-4213.
Left to right: Howard Mulholland, Cyrus Mulholland, Ann Mulholland, *Dot Sullivan (now Freeman), Sis Redding, *Dorothy Harvey (now Leonard, whose father took the photo), William Dutton Mulholland, Jr., and Arthur George Thorp, Jr. (* = only ones still living in 1989). Copy of original, given to Frank Lees by Dorothy Leonard.
Caption on reverse, probably left to right: Sgt. Francis X. Kelly, Pennsylvania State Police; ?, Francis Gray, Tom Pension, ? Harbold, Walter Strine, Frank Snear
Names on reverse (probably left to right): Media Chief of Police Malcolm Laughead, Isaac Pike, ?, J. K. Barrall, James Parsons, ?, John Arscott of County Chevrolet, Jerry Newcomb of State Police.
Frank Lees refers to this as a tea room. It was located on Front St. opposite the Delaware County Court House. Copy of original photo; source not noted
