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.
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
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Ancon Hospital Cemetary [sic]. Blacks in fore ground – Whites back. The is not the only cemetary on the Isthmus
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: A native captured near Ancon
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: This is where some of the Americans go – First inhabited early part of [19]05.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Canal Zone Fire Station, Cristobal
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: We have some good catches with dynamite.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: European Labor Camp, Corozal. Rebuilt French magazines. I. C. C. Hotel for white men just beyond depot.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Spanish Labor Camp (new) at Pedro San Miguel, 9/1/08. Fore ground shows oil pipe line across Isthmus.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Every Sunday at 10 A.M.[Loteria de Panama]
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Looking across lock site near Miraflores. This gives an idea of what is to be gone through to the depth of 80 feet.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Just a pleasant spot near Miraflores 9-1-08
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: The Doctor’s house at Palo Seco Leper Camp. Other building back in bush. Sept. 1908 – 32 patients.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Gang of carpenters left adrift to land as best they could at Leper Camp, Palo Seco, where new building was to be erected. 9/1/1908.
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Police Court, Panama, on Sunday morning
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Married Quarters, for the lucky
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Island Service Sanitary Department
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Tivoli Hotel near Panama City. Grounds much improved of late. This taken on completion, 1907
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Tivoli [Hotel] while T.R. [Theodore Roosevelt] was here. [TR was actually there in Nov. 1906]
One of a series of photographs of Panama Canal construction and scenery by W. R. Newbold, Jr., of Media. Original caption: Panama City is quite thickly populated. This represents a view from my dining room early morning. They are real buzzards.
