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
Patty Highfield with Doris Mooney (right), the reigning Mrs. Philadelphia. On left may be Jane Crossett, a former Miss Philadelphia 1947, or Marion Pedlow, a local radio commentator. (Chester Times, May 11, 1950)
W. W. Morhard Co. “Robert G. Burk 3d, originally from Virginia, has a display of objects long in his family's possession in Morhard's window. One interesting item is a gavel Burk says is the authentic symbol of authority used at the secession meeting in Virginia. There is also an interesting powder horn of 1840, with the owners name, Clark Notingham, and the date, scratched in.” (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
B. Frank Berry Plumbing. Sign in window reads "Articles in this window from 75 to 100 years old. Mrs. Henry Pierson, Wallingford, Pa." Mostly vintage clothing. Negative envelope reads: "B. Frank Berry. State St. north [sic: west] of Orange. North side." Address found by comparing photograph to Google Street View.
Griffith's Barber Shop, with a display of lotion bottles and shaving mugs, each with the name of its owner, including C. W. Pierson, Mingin, Clement F. Allen, Habbersett, and other local people. This was formerly Schuchardt's Barber Shop and later Beauty Shop, founded in 1870. Newspaper research confirmed this address for Robert M. Griffith, who owned the building in 1950. (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
Donaldson Dress Shop, on the northwest corner of State Street and South Avenue (now Veterans Square). “At State Street and South Avenue, the site of the cornfield where the first lots of Media were sold at $3 a front foot, Donaldsons have elegant women’s apparel of yesteryear on display. A sampler, an old horsehair trunk, carpet bag, and camisole may be seen among other objects.” (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
State Cut Rate Drug, which was on the northeast corner of State Street and South Avenue (now Veterans Square). The display features antique clocks and other items.
Sherwin-Williams Paint Store. The display includes paintings by various artists, including Sarah Rouch Cummings, an artist and teacher who lived in Media.
Kassab's Gift Shop [or Mart, as the sign in the window says] "has an old organ, spyglass, and a testament on display worth spending a few minutes examining, as well as neckwear of former days.” (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
F. W. Woolworth Company. "Woolworth's five and ten has tables and kitchen wear, trivets, bone handled knives and forks, and a washbowl and table." (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
6 W. State Street. Newspaper search identified this as Lottig Cleaners, and the display also matches this description: “The collection of old furniture and chinawear in Lottig’s window was supplied by Mr., and Mrs. John Knox Wood.” (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
Sun Ray Drug Store was on the northwest corner of State Street and Olive Street. Signs in display identify cathedral chairs, an Indian shawl, and other items, all 100 years old.
Kassab's Gift Shop [or Mart, as the sign in the window says] "has an old organ, spyglass, and a testament on display worth spending a few minutes examining, as well as neckwear of former days.” (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
Hibberd Bros. real estate "has a glass collection of Mrs. Stanley T. Hibberd on display, and an original watercolor painted by Media’s renowned artist of a former day, Charles L. Fussell. It was painted in 1900, and is called ‘Along Ridley Creek.’ " (Chester Times, June 6, 1950, page 17)
