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.
Four photographs, P-14003A through D. See Chester Times, November 9 and 11, 1918, for articles describing this event. Over 5,000 people crowded the square to witness the unveiling. The temporary shaft, erected by the Chester Rotary Club and inscribed with the names of Chester's World War I dead, was removed a year later, according to another Chester Times article on November 12, 1919. Market Square was where Market Street (now Avenue of the States) crossed 3rd Street; this address no longer exists.
Four photographs, P-14003A through D. See Chester Times, November 9 and 11, 1918, for articles describing this event. Over 5,000 people crowded the square to witness the unveiling. The temporary shaft, erected by the Chester Rotary Club and inscribed with the names of Chester's World War I dead, was removed a year later, according to another Chester Times article on November 12, 1919. Market Square was where Market Street (now Avenue of the States) crossed 3rd Street; this address no longer exists.
Four photographs, P-14003A through D. See Chester Times, November 9 and 11, 1918, for articles describing this event. Over 5,000 people crowded the square to witness the unveiling. The temporary shaft, erected by the Chester Rotary Club and inscribed with the names of Chester's World War I dead, was removed a year later, according to another Chester Times article on November 12, 1919. Market Square was where Market Street (now Avenue of the States) crossed 3rd Street; this address no longer exists.
Four photographs, P-14003A through D. See Chester Times, November 9 and 11, 1918, for articles describing this event. Over 5,000 people crowded the square to witness the unveiling. The temporary shaft, erected by the Chester Rotary Club and inscribed with the names of Chester's World War I dead, was removed a year later, according to another Chester Times article on November 12, 1919. Market Square was where Market Street (now Avenue of the States) crossed 3rd Street; this address no longer exists.
The 1900 Semi-Centennial pamphlet, page 83, locates this business at State and Jackson streets. A photocopy of an undated advertisement in this photo folder locates it at "Cor. State & Plum Sts., Media." The 1882 map of Media shows a carriage factory at State and Plum, and both 1882 and 1892 show livery businesses at State and Jackson, though not named Wolf. Verdict: location of this photo is uncertain. Copy of original photo; source not noted
The Media Republican Club was located near the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Orange Street. Signs behind bar reads "Dinners served every Sunday" and "Dues for 1958 should be paid now," indicating that the date written on these photos by Frank Lees may be wrong.
