Historical Commission — Nov 24, 1964

D R A F T THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 24 November 1964 Present were: Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Mr. Richmond P. Miller Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. John Taxin Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Oscar Goodstein, Administrative Services Officer to Mr. Day Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Guests were: Mr. Clarence G. Alhart, Deputy Executive Director, Redevelopment Authority Mr. Walter, D'Alessio Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the result of motions properly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting held on 27 October, 1964 were approved as circulated REPORTS The Historical Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. In the discussion following the reading of the reduced budget, Dr. Nichols asked if there were a contingency fund which might be drawn upon to supplement the Commission's reduced moneys. Such a fund does exist, and it was recommended that the Chairman wait upon the Mayor asking that a portion of that fund be added to the Commission's wages funds after the 1965 Budget has been formally passed by Council. This recommendation was approved. Dr. Nichols's Report was approved and ordered to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. Discussion involved recommendations made to retain the present door at 271 S. 4th Street and regarding the granting of plaques to the Mehl and Ottinger houses, 4325 and 3821 Germantown Avenue respectively. Mr. Trautwein's Report was approved and ordered to be filed. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian The future of the United States Naval Home on Gray's Ferry Road was discussed. Not action is required at this time. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved and ordered to be filed The Chairman introduced Messrs. Alhart and D'Alessio, turning the balance of the meeting over to them. Mr. Alhart had two subjects: Washington Square West, and [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "8/12 4/W" (appears to be initials or notation) Top left corner: A circled symbol or mark] Minutes of the Stated Meeting 11.24.64 Page 2 procedures for developing a program of historical research to be performed by the Philadelphia Historical Commission for the Redevelopment Authority: 1. Messrs. Alhart and D'Alessio, using two charts with an overlay to one of them, indicated the

A circled symbol or mark] Minutes of the Stated Meeting 11.24.64 Page 2 procedures for developing a program of historical research to be performed by the Philadelphia Historical Commission for the Redevelopment Authority: 1. Messrs. Alhart and D'Alessio, using two charts with an overlay to one of them, indicated the changes in relation to the certified buildings in the area between 8th and 13th; Walnut and South Streets, with one section below Addison Street extending eastward to 7th Street. Musical Fund Hall has been acquired and will be maintained until redeveloped and 10th Bruce Street as well. Mr. Alhart believes that a redeveloper has been found for the latter. The Preservation of the last of the Franklin Row houses was discussed at length. Portions of a letter from Mr. Frank Steward, Secretary of Garret, Booth and Blair, now using this building and the owners of it, were read. Mr. Alhart agreed to take the matter under advisement. He also agreed to have an overlay made for the Commission's chart of Washington Square West, which will show the position of the forty-four buildings scheduled for demolition 2. Mr. Alhart then took up his second point: He reported that archeological studies have been proposed for Germantown and other areas but that the Authority has not been successful in obtaining Federal money for this sortof research. However, funds for work such as Authority done by the Historical Commission have been approved. In Germantown, it is proposed that the firm of consultants engaged by the Redevelopment Authority subcontract its historical research to the Historical Commission. Further, he proposed that the Commission put in writing the information it could provide and the services it could render, with a view to persuading the Federal authorities to permit the Redevelopment Authority to make a direct contract with the Historical Commission, for any necessary historical research in areas where both the Authority and the Commission have interests. Mr. Goodstein agreed to review again the position of the Commission with the Law Department as regards the receiving of monies for such work for the Redevelopment Authority. The Chairman also summed up the matter, indicating that the two ways of approaching the matter of providing services, either directly under contract with the Redevelopment Authority or as subcontractor to a developer, would be studied by the Law Department and the Historical Commission and that meanwhile the Commission would provide the Authority

summed up the matter, indicating that the two ways of approaching the matter of providing services, either directly under contract with the Redevelopment Authority or as subcontractor to a developer, would be studied by the Law Department and the Historical Commission and that meanwhile the Commission would provide the Authority with the information regarding data and services as requested. The Chairman thanked Mr. Alhart and Mr. D'Alessio for appearomg before tje Commission. The date of the next Meeting. It was resolved that the Members would meet on January 5, 1965, rather than on the last Tuesday of December. There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 5:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted Grant M. Simon, Chairman for the Commission.