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.
View shows Co-operative Store, gas station, Charles A. Limburg [Auto and Trucks] Sales and Service, Scotthaven Tourists, and various vintage automobiles parked and driving on the road.
Typed caption on reverse reads: "View taken from the creek road showing [Clothier] Mansion on hill, the high bridge of the P.R.R. [Pennsylvania Railroad] and the wooden covered bridge over Ridley Creek. To the right of the covered bridge may be seen Indian Lane leading up the hill over the R.R. to the property." Frank Lees Slide 1574. 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
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." This is probably on Ridley Creek in vicinity of the railroad bridge between Media and Elwyn stations,
Original caption on reverse: "Property of Lillian Clothier Lesley, taken in 1894. Looking northwest showing P.R.R. [railroad] bridge over Ridley Creek and trains on bridge, showing portion of [west side of] Media." Williamson's lumber-yard is the most prominent building, with a long roofline just above the treetops.
Typed caption on reverse reads: "Looking due east showing the valley through which the Cent. Div. runs and the tracks skirting the property from its western boundary to the point it goes onto the high bridge; this frontage is an arc of a circle." Frank Lees Slide 1573. 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
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." Handwritten note from Henry C. Smith adds: "412 W. State Street purchased by A. Lewis Smith from Judge John M. Broomall in 1866, when H. Clement Smith was 6 years old. Birthplace of L. Cheyney Smith 7/1/91. Picture taken soon after purchase by A.L.S." For cleaner copy, see P-01012B
Exact location of this view is unclear. Perhaps looking northwest from about Baker Street, toward Ridley Creek Valley, or this could be the present (2019) location of Glen Providence Park.
