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.
The address given in this photograph's caption, 38 W. State Street, is wrong. Penn Beef was at that location, but this store opened at this location in 1930. In 1939 Edgmont Meat of Beef Co. bought the business.
The address given in this photograph's caption, 38 W. State Street, is wrong. Penn Beef was at that location, but this store opened at this location in 1930. In 1939 Edgmont Meat of Beef Co. bought the business.
The address given in this photograph's caption, 38 W. State Street, is wrong. Penn Beef was at that location, but this store opened at this location in 1930. In 1939 Edgmont Meat of Beef Co. bought the business.
The address given in this photograph's caption, 38 W. State Street, is wrong. Penn Beef was at that location, but this store opened at this location in 1930. In 1939 Edgmont Meat of Beef Co. bought the business.
The address given in this photograph's caption, 38 W. State Street, is wrong. Penn Beef was at that location, but this store opened at this location in 1930. In 1939 Edgmont Meat of Beef Co. bought the business.
Back of card reads: "Thirty minutes by R.R. from Philadelphia. Media and Vicinity. Photographed by Samuel McMullin, Landscape Photographer, No. 1128 South Ninth Street, Philadelphia. Taken by request of James R. Cummins, Residence, Media, Penna."
Five photographs: 1. and 2. The Pastime Theater 3. "New trolley," State Street at Orange St. 4. Parlour, Media Minstrel Association 5. Four young men, with MHS (Media High School) pennant behind them, in the parlor of the Media Minstrel Association
Five photograph of buildings in Media, decorated for the Delaware County Firemen's Association convention and parade. Includes Delaware County Institute of Science, Borough Hall, First National Bank, and other buildings.
1. Media Minstrel Association Club House, and 2. Charter National Bank, June 1913. Probably decorated for the Delaware County Firemen's Association convention and parade.
Eight photographs, top to bottom, left to right: 1. Francis Campbell 2. Chautauqua tent at southeast corner of State and Monroe streets, 1913 3. Group of young men, probably high school students, including Drayton Rhodes, Ralph Alley, Ike (Isaac) Johnson, Rude (Reuben) Matheus, and Allan Latimer. 4. Media High School football team, 1913, see IDs attached 5. Media High School football team in action 6. Chester, Sept. 7, 1913, James Doak Jr. 7. James Doak Jr. in Chester, Sept. 7, 1913, with Media Fire Company, possibly in a parade for Labor Day. 8. I. W. Johnson and Engle Arters.
Nine photographs, top to bottom, left to right: 1. Delawanna Inn and The Bellevue, Delaware Water Gap, Pa. 2. William Henry and Jack O'Brien in front of Delawanna Inn, Restaurant and Café, Conway and Blair, Proprietors. 3. Delawanna Inn, with man outside 4. "Kit" - Kittatinny Cafe, probably in Delaware Water Gap 5. Delaware Water Gap Railroad Station 6. The Bellevue 7. Castle Inn, probably in Delaware Water Gap, Pa. 8. Porch of Delawanna Inn 9. Delaware House, probably Delaware Water Gap, Pa.
Nine photographs, top to bottom, left to right: 1. Jack O'Brien 2. "Davey", dog at [Cherry?] Walley House 3. Broomall's Dam, Media, Pa. 4. William Henry 5. Delaware River at Delaware Water Gap, Pa. 6. on a launch (motor boat), Water Gap 7. Jar at Water Gap 8. Bathing beach, Delaware Water Gap 9. Kittatinny Cafe in the distance - ["swam old canoe"?]
Eight photographs, top to bottom, left to right: 1. Easter Sunday, April 4, 1915, snowstorm 2. Dr. Baker's Pine Tree, Easter Sunday 1917 in Snowstorm 3. 4. and 8. Easter Sunday, April 8, 1917, snowstorm 5. Saturday before Easter, April 6, 1916, snowstorm 6. Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918 (no snow) 7. Easter Sunday 1918, Dr. Baker's Pine Tree
