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.
Date is probably when she began working as assistant librarian for the Media Free Library. This photograph probably appeared in the Media Comment newspaper.
Frank Lees caption: "Looking up the hill, in Upper Providence Township, towards Media on South Orange Street. On the left is Ridley Creek Road, and in the distance Upper Providence School #1. Orange Street was a dirt road, covered with snow. Just over the top of the hill is the railroad station. This area was known as Media Park." Copy of original photograph.
According to a handwritten note on the back of this card, this was the type of locomotive once used on the Media line. "Property of John McAllister, Media, Pa."
Frank Lees caption: "Mark Packard established what was known as 'Mark Packard's Church,' the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Manchester Avenue in Wallingford." Copy of original photo; source not noted
Frank Lees caption: "This is Palmer's Mill, alongside Palmers Dam on the Crum Creek. Looking carefully you can see a fisherman sitting on the bank. Also you can see the spillway for the race which ran the huge water wheels in the mill. This mill was purchased by T. Chalkley Palmer in 1834, and he operated a grist mill, a sawmill, and a smith shop here. This is completely covered by water of the Springton Reservoir." See also P-08040 and P-08009.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Quarters, Ancon. WRN, Jr. Very comfortable.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Interior of local machine shop, Ancon. 8-1-08.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Interior, Ancon Wood and Machine Shop. 8/1/08.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Ancon Hill. Hospital in distance. 9-1-08.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Drive thru Ancon Hospital grounds
