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.
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-03003A for the full photograph without IDs.
Signs read: "Leasing stores studios shoppes offices. Media Real Estate Co., 205 N. Monroe St. LO6-1924. Construction and permanent financing by First Pennsylvania Bank."
Frank Lees caption: "Philadelphia Suburban Transportation (Red Arrow) Trolley No. 73 at State and Monroe Sts. in Media. The jewelry store on the corner is Wiltshire's Jewelry, now (1979 circa) occupied by Royal Jewelers. These center door trolleys plied the route to Media from 69th Street for many years. This photo was taken in June of 1973 at Media's Town Fair Days, when the trolley was used to take folks for a ride. "
Frank Lees caption: "From right to left are: the building once occupied by Ellis Pharmacy, the building once occupied by Broadbelt Stables, Pierson's Garage, and Trimm Glass Company, which burned down in 1975. Below that was Pierson's auto showroom; Snowden's once used this building for a warehouse. All but the Pierson's auto showroom building have been demolished."
Frank Lees' caption notes that these buildings, once owned by C. B. Williamson (who probably built the houses), were standing in 1880. A new brick office building now (as of 2019) occupies the site.
Names on reverse (probably left to right) : Francis Gray, Walter Strine, Frank Snear, Bill Patterson. Name "Al McKinney" visible on tag of man at far right.
