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.
Empty storefront windows covered with paintings of historical scenes by students of the Media High School fine arts class. (See list of participating students at P-19060).
Empty storefront windows covered with paintings of historical scenes by students of the Media High School fine arts class. (See list of participating students at P-19060).
"The colorful scenes of yesteryear Media painted on the storefront on State St. near Plum St. are the artistic contribution of the following Media High School students: Ralph Murray, Ruth Rohde, Kitten Armstrong, Donald Gillespie, Helen Horn, Bill Hornung, Barbara Lee Thomas, Virginia Lee Worrell, Nancy McMillin, Bob Reese, Art Russell, Shirley Mills, Marian Davis, Charles Herbsters, Orenda Eckerd, and Pat Fish. The project has been under the direction of Eleanor Bareiss, fine arts instructor at the high school. (Chester Times, June 7, 1950, p. 14. Article also includes addresses for each student, which were not transcribed.)
Empty storefront windows covered with paintings of historical scenes by students of the Media High School fine arts class. (See list of participating students at P-19060).
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
Keystone Kops punishing beardless victims in front of Media Post Office. See introduction to Zimmerman Photograph Collection for full explanation of the beard contest and the Keystone Kops
The speaker at the podium is Benjamin F. James, U.S. congressman from Delaware County. This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 10)
