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 Clifton Heights ... Fire Protective Association No. 1 added comedy with 18 men who pulled an old hand pump bearing the date 1764. At the reviewing stand this unit stopped and threw water, proving that the old pump still works." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Sharon Hill Fire Company's "marchers carried a huge American flag and marched to the music of the Tri-Community Cadets, a bugle corps of 78 members. The unit included one pumper." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Drum and bugle corps from Riverside, N.J. American Legion post, followed by Media Fire Company contingent in gray uniforms with blue ties (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
"Middletown Fire Company has 20 men carrying arches of red and white carnations. They had one truck in line, The music came from the outstanding Citizens Band of Rohrerstown, Pa." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
The Trainer Fire Company was "led by the Imhoff Thunderbirds, who took second prize for bugle corps. The musicians were in black, with shields of cerise and cap tassels to match. Trainer had a group of men with its truck and ambulance." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Accompanying the Glenolden Fire Company was "one of the most elaborately attired outfits in the parade, the Fire Fighters string band, composed of Philadelphia firemen, led by Battalion Chief George E. Duffy. The men had uniforms of light blue, covered with glittering spangles, with huge capes bordered with plumes. In the cape of the chief were 300 plumes. Glenolden had one truck in line." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Radnor Fire Company, Wayne, Pa. "A dalmatian dog wearing a red hat rode on the Radnor ladder truck from Wayne." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950). In front of reviewing stand at Media Borough Hall.
The Trainer Fire Company was "led by the Imhoff Thunderbirds, who took second prize for bugle corps. The musicians were in black, with shields of cerise and cap tassels to match. Trainer had a group of men with its truck and ambulance." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Accompanying the Glenolden Fire Company was "one of the most elaborately attired outfits in the parade, the Fire Fighters string band, composed of Philadelphia firemen, led by Battalion Chief George E. Duffy. The men had uniforms of light blue, covered with glittering spangles, with huge capes bordered with plumes. In the cape of the chief were 300 plumes. Glenolden had one truck in line." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
