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.
Miss Pennock became Mrs. Matthew C. Fox in 1914, and left her job with Western Union after nine years. A letter to Miss Pennock, dated May 8, 1914, from the Chester Office of Western Union, expresses "the Company's appreciation of your work in connection with the Media Office, as it is felt that the increased business and general good standing of the office is largely due to your efforts." According to a brief note in the Chester Times, the office was in the Bell Telephone Building (200 W. State St.) until 1914, then moved to the Delaware County American Building.
The Sprogell School, run by sisters Bessie (Elizabeth) and Tillie Sprogell. "Frank Hamilton" handwritten on reverse. Doris Hamilton is mentioned on a posit-it note on reverse; she was possibly donor of the photograph.
According to a , May 24, 1951 story in the Chester Times, Miss Edith H. John served from the library's opening in May 1906 until she was succeeded by Miss Rebecca Smedley (see P-12009).
This house was on the site of the current (2019) Media Borough government complex. Photographs donated by Miss Mary H. MacIntyre in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Plumley. Fred was the Miller family chauffeur for 40 years; he died on September 23, 1947. MacIntyre's caption, from a letter to Frank Lees dated July 23, 1993: "The 'big' house. When the older folk died, they left the property to their daughter, Caroline, who was single. She in turn left it to a niece who sold it to the Workmen's Circle folk. "
Ben Miller is the boy at the desk, with his back to the camera; Mrs. Arthur Miller is to the right. Miss Valentinis-Dee was appointed assistant librarian in 1921. This photograph probably appeared in the Media Comment newspaper.
Also pictured are Bill Brady, Bob Burke, Frank Lees and others. Caption on reverse: "Presenting radio to Mrs. Hoopes on her 98th birthday, from Media Lions Club." The son and daughter-in-law are probably on the left and right of the picture.
Frank Lees caption: The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The original church, on the left, was built in 1862. The building on the left was completed in 1882, built of native gray stone from what is now (1989) Media Quarry on Beatty Road. The rectory stands between the two buildings. Copy of original photo; source not noted
Location of this photograph is uncertain. In 1930, the School was located on the south side of Baltimore Avenue in the middle of the block between Gayley and Monroe streets. See P-03003B for the same photo with several people identified by Frank Lees.
