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.
Ladies Auxiliary of Holloway Terrace Fire Co. No. 1 ( from New Castle, Delaware). View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
"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). View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
Highland Park Fire Company, Upper Darby, Pa., with bagpipers of the Washington Memorial Pipe Band, Philadelphia. View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
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). View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
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) View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
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). View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
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) View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
Glenolden Fire Co. No. 1. (See P-19147 for Ladies Auxiliary). View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
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). View looking north on Orange Street from 2nd Street. Delaware County jail is in background.
"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)
Contact sheet of film negatives showing various scenes from the parade day. 1. Radnor Fire Company, with dalmatian dog. 2. Unidentified veterans. 3. Boy scout. 4. and 5. LuLu Temple String Band, Philadelphia 6. Fire Fighters String Band, Philadelphia. 7. Unidentified fire company 8. Unidentified marching band. 9. String band of the Garretford-Drexel Hill Fire Company. 10. Highland Park Fire Company, Upper Darby, Pa., with bagpipers of the Washington Memorial Pipe Band, Philadelphia. 11. Unidentified marching band. 12. Unidentified fire engine. 13. Media Fire Company ambulance. 14. Drum and bugle corps from Riverside, N.J. American Legion post. 15. 16. 17. Firefighters enjoying refreshments.
