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.
Garretford-Drexel Hill Fire Company "had its own string band of more than 30 uniformed men, with a pumper, an aerial and a rescue truck." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
The first place Moyamensing Fire Company, of Chester, Pa., "was accompanied by Chester High School band, with its color guard of five attired in white, seven flag bearers with black skirts and orange blouses, and 15 majorettes, dressed in orange, trimmed with black. At the head of the Moyamensing column marched three men and four boys carrying bouquets of flowers, with two more behind the band and the color guard of five men in sailor garb. The Moyamensing firemen wore blue uniforms." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
The first place Moyamensing Fire Company, of Chester, Pa., "was accompanied by Chester High School band, with its color guard of five attired in white, seven flag bearers with black skirts and orange blouses, and 15 majorettes, dressed in orange, trimmed with black. At the head of the Moyamensing column marched three men and four boys carrying bouquets of flowers, with two more behind the band and the color guard of five men in sailor garb. The Moyamensing firemen wore blue uniforms." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
The first place Moyamensing Fire Company, of Chester, Pa., "was accompanied by Chester High School band, with its color guard of five attired in white, seven flag bearers with black skirts and orange blouses, and 15 majorettes, dressed in orange, trimmed with black. At the head of the Moyamensing column marched three men and four boys carrying bouquets of flowers, with two more behind the band and the color guard of five men in sailor garb. The Moyamensing firemen wore blue uniforms." (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)
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)
Sharon Hill Fire Company's "marchers carried a huge American flag and marched to the music of the Tri-Community Cadets [not shown], a bugle corps of 78 members. The unit included one pumper." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Colwyn Fire Company No. 1 was "led by seven firemen carrying bouquets, 26 other Colwyn men drew by ropes an ancient hose cart said to have been brought from England to Philadelphia more than a century ago." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Colwyn Fire Company No. 1 was "led by seven firemen carrying bouquets, 26 other Colwyn men drew by ropes an ancient hose cart said to have been brought from England to Philadelphia more than a century ago." (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 [not shown] of Rohrerstown, Pa. (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 [not shown] of Rohrerstown, Pa. (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
Parkside Fire Company. "Eighteen of the Parkside Fire Co. marchers carried white flowers in old time firemen's horns, each with the initial of the company in red carnations. The men were dressed in long blue coats, with red belts, topped with helmets. The Parkside truck was filled with roses and the company also paraded its ambulance." (Chester Times, June 12, 1950)
