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
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. One of the Kops, Jack Kelley, Jr., after his dunking, with Harry Walls laughing, at right.
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. Kops Norman Yarnall, Harry Walls, Jack Kelley, Jr. and Tom Worral dunking Harold Andey.
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. Left to right: Jack Kelley, Jr., beardless William Johnson, Francis Gray, beardless Harold Andey, Harry Walls, and Normal Yarnall.
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. Note inside envelope reads: [Left to right:] Jack Kelley (with billy club raised), Francis Gray, victim "Farmer" William Johnson, Tom Worrall, victim Harold Andey, Harry Walls, Norman Yarnall
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. Left to right: Norman Yarnall, unidentified victim, William Johnson, Harold Andey, Harry Walls, Jack Kelley, Jr., Francis Gray (with Tom Worrall hidden behind him)
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. This time, Jack Kelley, Jr., one of the Kops, gets dunked.
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. Jack Kelley, Jr., one of the cops, and Harold Andey (right), one of the victims, after their dunkings.
Media Lions Club members portraying Keystone Kops arrest and dunk beardless men in front of crowd at Delaware County Court House. Left to right: Norman Yarnall, Francis Gray, Tom Worrall, and Harry Walls dunk William Johnson.
The speaker at the podium was Benjamin F. James, U.S. congressman from Delaware County. This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 10)
The speaker at the podium was Benjamin F. James, U.S. congressman from Delaware County. This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 10)
The speaker at the podium was Benjamin F. James, U.S. congressman from Delaware County. This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 10)
The speaker at the podium was Benjamin F. James, U.S. congressman from Delaware County. This event was part of the 21st Reunion of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, some of whom served in the Spanish American War. (Chester Times, June 5, 1950, page 10)
Group of seven women and one man, standing in front of man at desk signing a document. Note in envelope lists Hugh Bonner, Mrs. Grace VanLeer, Mrs. Dorothy Lavery, Mrs. Maude Allen, Mrs. Lillian Baker, Mrs. Shirley Lees, Mrs. Jessie VanLeer Abernathy, Miss Jessie Abernathy, Judge Harold L. Ervin
Group of seven women and one man, standing in front of man at desk signing a document. Note in envelope lists Hugh Bonner, Mrs. Grace VanLeer, Mrs. Dorothy Lavery, Mrs. Maude Allen, Mrs. Lillian Baker, Mrs. Shirley Lees, Mrs. Jessie VanLeer Abernathy, Miss Jessie Abernathy, Judge Harold L. Ervin
