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.
The tail end of the Habbersett Bros. Pork Products contingent. "The small boy hauling a live baby pig with his tractor was four-year-old Gary Habbersett, of the fifth generation" of the family. (Chester Times, June 9, 1950, page 10)
"Ted placing platform in Frank Ross roof." This probably refers to Ted Hadley, placing a viewing platform for the Firemen's Parade on the roof of the Frank Ross Shoe Repair shop.
"Ted placing platform in Frank Ross roof." This probably refers to Ted Hadley, placing a viewing platform for the Firemen's Parade on the roof of the Frank Ross Shoe Repair shop.
