Councilman A. Shelby Martin, second from left, chairman, Media Bicentennial Commission. Other people, probably other members of the commission, not identified.
Uncle Josh was a stock character in amateur theatrical and minstrel shows. One man is in blackface, a racist imitation of African American skin color. The Philadelphia Inquirer ran this photograph on March 2, 1902, page 9, with the following headline and caption: CLEVER YOUNG PEOPLE ACT FOR SWEET CHARITY'S SAKE. MEDIA, Pa. March 1.—The St. Vincent Dramatic Association is composed of young people of the Media Catholic church [Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or BVM], and organized for charity. The old church near the present large edifice [on the southeast corner of Franklin St. and Church St.] has been transformed into a miniature theatre, and used by the association. Their first entertainment, "Uncle Josh," played a few evenings ago, netted them $100. In the illustration, reading from left to right, the members are Burd Patterson, P. H. Reilly, William Suter, Joseph Devine, Albert K. Holl, Kate Nolan, M. C. [Matthew C.] Fox Jr. [in blackface], William Flack, Margaret Egan, Frank D. Suter, Kate Egan, John McGinley, and Thomas J. Dolphin. According to the Chester Times, April 2, 1902, this performance was such a success that it was repeated.
Frank Lees caption reads in part: Sweeney's Market once occupied [this corner]. When Bill Battey's Sporting Goods remodeled the building they uncovered this advertisement on the side of the building. After the photograph was taken, they covered the sign up again. Date is of the print; photograph may be older.
