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.
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. After service, veterans marching down South Avenue (now Veterans Square), with Delaware County Court House in background. Benjamin F. James, U.S. congressman, is in left foreground, in brown suit. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. This group is the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Band, of Philadelphia, a fife and drum corps whose members were all veterans of that war. After the service, the assembled veterans marched down South Avenue (now Veteran's Square) to the American Legion hall on Baltimore Avenue. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. This group is the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Band, of Philadelphia, a fife and drum corps that played the National Anthem. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. After the service, the assembled veterans marched down South Avenue (now Veteran's Square) to the American Legion hall on Baltimore Avenue. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. This group is the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Band, of Philadelphia, a fife and drum corps that played the National Anthem. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. After the service, the assembled veterans marched down South Avenue (now Veteran's Square) to the American Legion hall on Baltimore Avenue. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
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)
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)
Media Interracial Fellowship Chorus, led by Alice E. Blodgett, music supervisor of Swarthmore schools. 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)
This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. This group is the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Band, of Philadelphia, a fife and drum corps whose members were all veterans of that war. After the service, the assembled veterans marched down South Avenue (now Veteran's Square) to the American Legion hall on Baltimore Avenue. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 9)
The speaker is either Rev. George W. Shay, of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Media, or Rev. Chester J. Buzzard, of the First Methodist Church of Media. 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)
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)
Media Interracial Fellowship Chorus, led by Alice E. Blodgett, music supervisor of Swarthmore schools. 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)
Three unidentified, probably part of a veterans organization. Each flag represents a dead soldier. 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)
A veteran honors his dead comrades. Each flag represents a dead soldier. 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)
A veteran honors his dead comrades. Each flag represents a dead soldier. 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)
A bugler from the Media High School band plays Taps. The honor guard is part of the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Fife and Drum Corps, from Philadelphia. 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)
The honor guard and musicians of the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Fife and Drum Corps, from Philadelphia. 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)
The honor guard of the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Fife and Drum Corps, from Philadelphia. 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)
The honor guard and musicians of the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV) Fife and Drum Corps, from Philadelphia. 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)
The assembled crowd follows the musicians to a reception at the American Legion Hall. 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)
