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. Looking south on Manchester Avenue from about Baltimore Avenue. The East Media School is in the right background. A heavy snowfall covers the road.
Caption reads: "Media Free Library board dinner, given at the Towne House in Media, for Marguerite de Angeli, writer of children's books (Henner's Lydia, Copper Toed Boots, etc.). Left to right: Arthur Wiltshire, President, Mark W. Allam, toastmaster, Mrs. Arthur Griffith, and Mrs. de Angeli." According to an article in the Chester Times, April 23, 1968, a talk by Mrs. Angeli was "climaxing [a] week of events celebrating the official opening of the library's new wing and Library Week."
Two copies. Same team and same location as Appleton AP-8255. Bottom row, second from left: Matthew Fox. Top row, wearing bowtie, Albin Ottey. Other names, on reverse of one copy, include: McIntyre, H. A. Thomas, H. L. Highbarger, and Leon Baker.
15 photographs matted presented in a single frame. This was probably displayed in M.A.A. office. See P-15050A through P-15050o for individual photographs
