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.
"Red Ink" photo, series by same photographer named for red ink used for writing descriptions on reverse side of similarly-mounted images. This scene is on Crum Creek, near Beatty Road. Address is approximate. This photo was entered in The John Wanamaker Exhibition of Photographs by Amateurs, February 1908.
Caption on reverse says "Atmore Smith," who may be driving the horse-drawn hearse. According to his obituary in the Chester Times, June 9, 1934, page 8: "S. Atmore smith "was associated for 43 years with the Quinby undertaking establishment. He was especially beloved by the veterans...for his tireless work in keeping veterans' graves orderly and proper." He was a Civil War veteran, and 66 when he died.
Handwritten on reverse: Friends' Meeting House in Radnor, Del. Co., Pa. Built A.D. 1710, and occupied during the Revolution by soldiers Ten members of the Delaware County Institute of Science are shown in this picture. Photographed by Dr. Dickeson in 1898
Caption scratched into bottom of print reads: "Bridge down over R.R. on Indian Lane." View looking east over Ridley Creek valley. One of a series of photographs, possibly by same photographer or from same album. Date not certain. Possibly from 5 x 7 inch glass negative
Location of this photograph is uncertain. Original caption: The original High Bridge from the Media Water Works area. Frank Lees wrote on folder: Believed to be over Darby Creek at Clifton Heights, not Media as marked. The photographer lived in Media, so it is reasonable to assume this is somewhere in Delaware County.
Typed caption on reverse reads: "Taken just before the railroad started on the double track looking east and showing the bridge over Indian Lane. The posts of the lower gate may be seen a little to the right of the bridge." Frank Lees Slide 1572. One of a series of photographs, possibly by same photographer or from same album. Date not certain. Possibly from 5 x 7 inch glass negative
Looking from Elwyn side of Ridley Creek toward Media, with west end of the borough visible in the distance .One of a series of photographs, possibly by same photographer or from same album. Date not certain. Possibly from 5 x 7 inch glass negative
On reverse: Wreck at Elkview, Penna., June 10, 190?. Special train from New York to Lincoln University met a light engine going north from Oxford, Penna. To Philadelphia. Fireman of special train killed. Engineman William Miller still alive in West Chester, 2-22-1950." According to the Philadelphia Times, this wreck actually occurred June 3, 1902. See front page story, June 4, 1902.
Flag in front of veterans' memorial wall that, according to Frank Lees, "was built by the Media Rotary Club and the students of the William School, completed in June 1971." A letter in the folder authenticates the flag.
According to her obituary from the Chester Times, July 11, 1950, Smedley served as librarian from 1906 to 1917. She never married, and lived at 44 E. Front Street, a block from the library.
