This collection focuses mainly on the Media Centennial Celebration, which ran from June 3-10, 1950 and included thousands of participants and attracted tens of thousands of spectators. Besides covering the centennial activities for local newspapers, Zimmerman took many photographs of local business, churches, and community organizations for inclusion in a souvenir book sold during the events. (The page number of these photographs, in this publication, are noted in each item’s description). To view a selection of Centennial photos by Zimmerman, click here. For an overview of the Centennial activities, click here.
A smaller but fascinating group of aerial photographs of Media and other nearby Delaware County, Pennsylvania communities, taken in 1950, show how much open space existed in the area at the time, and how quickly that land was being bought up and built up as part of the post-World War II housing boom.
Thanks to Adeline Cianella, for scanning most of the 750+ negatives and choosing appropriate subjects for each image; also to Matt Lake, for kicking off the project with a few dozen scans of his own. Most of the photographer's captions were minimal, so thanks also to Adam Levine, who edited each image and fleshed out the descriptions by perusing the Centennial souvenir book along with captions of published photos and newspaper articles describing the events, from both online databases and MHAC’s own scrapbooks and newspaper collection.
Identifier
Francis F. Zimmerman Photograph Collection
Spatial Coverage
Media, Pennsylvania and surrounding municipalities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Judge's stand, with Nan Dutton holding flowers, and Mrs. Crosby L. Smith to her right. The LuLu Potentate is Walter N. Hagerman. (Chester Times, June 10, 1950)
Beard Contest finalists seated in foreground, with spectators in background. Left to right, seated: Possibly Mrs. Jack Kelley, Jack Kelley, Francis Cunningham, Charles Wray. Kneeling: Charles Parker, Harry McLeod.
George G. Jeffries (in Shriner hat), and Frank Lees help Patty Highfield select three beardless permit numbers from the box, each winner receiving a $25 savings bond.
George G. Jeffries (in Shriner hat), and Frank Lees help Patty Highfield select three beardless permit numbers from the box, each winner receiving a $25 savings bond.
Media Centennial Beard Contest. Five finalists, left to right: Jack Kelley, Charles Parker, Harry McLeod, Francis Cunningham, and Charles Wray. Judges, left to right: John D. Gordy, publisher, Media Comment; unidentified woman (either Doris Wiley of the Chester Times or Rhona Lloyd, radio and TV personality); Fred Echelmeyer, Chester Times; and Donald G. Shook, publisher, Media News.
