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 Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) float with Patty Highfield, Miss Greater Media, and her court. According to the Chester Times, June 9, 1950, her court included: Mary Ann Schultz, Mary Lou Vivian, Pauline Walls, Helene Stern, Virginia Merion, Gail Williamson, and Donna Highfield--the same as in the Civic Day parade the previous day--with the addition of Shirley Hollingsworth. In this view the float is probably heading to Glen Providence Park for an awards presentation. See also ZM-3507 for view of same float earlier in the evening.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
The Media Friends School students are rehearsing a program of square dances they performed during the Media Centennial Celebration's Youth Day, June 6, 1950.
