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
Dancing children in skeleton costumes. They were probably part of the Media High School Marching Band's rendition of "Dry Bones." (Chester Times, June 8, 1950)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Anthony, Jr., of Moylan, rode a tandem bicycle and carried a banner representing the Media Co-operative Store, or Co-op. (Chester Times, June 8, 1950)
1915 Studebaker, entry of Jessup & Pell. Harlan Jessup, owner of the company, in front seat; driver and other passengers might be his wife and daughters.
Antique police car carrying Keystone Kops, on the lookout for unlicensed beardless men. Gewiss Bakery in background. A single Mummer marches alone behind the car.
Horse-drawn carriage or "Coach and four of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Media carrying costumed people carried seven women in last century costumes." (Chester Times, June 8, 1950)
Patty Highfield, Miss Greater Media, posing in front of her float with her parents, sisters, and some of her court. Attendants this day were Mary Ann Schultz, Mary Lou Vivian, Pauline Walls, Helen Stern, Virginia Merion, and her sister, Donna Highfield. (Chester Times, June 8, 1950)
Patty Highfield and her court on the Miss Greater Media float. Attendants this day were Mary Ann Schultz, Mary Lou Vivian, Pauline Walls, Helen Stern, Virginia Merion, and her sister, Donna Highfield. (Chester Times, June 8, 1950)
