THE SIXTY-NINTH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 26 February, 1963 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten, Chairman pro tem. Mr. Charles B. Peterson Mr. John Taxin Mr. George K. Trautwein Also present: Mr. Philip Carroll, representing Commissioner Corleto Mr. Edward J. Martin, Deputy Director of Finance Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary Miss Constance F. Smith, Clerk Messrs. Simon and Williams and Dr. Nichols were ill and unable to attend THE MINUTES for 22 January 1963 were approved as circulated REPORTS Historic Values Committee. No report, Dr. Nichols being absent. Architectural Committee. Mr. Trautwein's report was approved as read and ordered to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. The Commission's Activities. Dr. Tinkcom was unavoidably absent; a full report from her will be presented at the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS The Preston Retreat. The Chairman pro tempore reviewed the matter from correspondence in his hand and consulted the file for the letters to and from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, in which Mr. Richard McConnell stated that the building did not lend itself to industrial use and was, therefore, outside the jurisdiction of the agency he directs. Other uses were also reviewed and the pertinent correspondence referred to. It was established that the Department of Licenses and Inspections had granted a demolition permit to Mr. Herman Berman, Scott Construction Company on February 79. A letter to Mr. Berman from Hope B. Winborne, Chief, Construction Section of the Department of Licenses and Inspections, which revoked the permit, was read by the Chair The letter from Samuel I. Sacks, Esq., attorney for Herman Berman was read, in which he quoted the above letter from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. It was determined by the Deputy Director of Finance that the Historical Commission has sixty days in which to answer this letter, plus six months allowed by the Ordinance to withhold approval for demolition. A letter, received from Mr. Edmund N. Bacon, in regard to Preston Retreat, dated February 21, 1963, was also read. It was moved and seconded that a letter be written to Mr. Bacon in reply, stating that if the City [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: A curved line/arrow appears in the lower right margin pointing to or marking the text about Mr. Edmund N. Bacon's letter.] The Minutes - 2 - 2.26.63 Preston Retreat continued Planning Commission could find a use for the building, preserving it
in reply, stating that if the City [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: A curved line/arrow appears in the lower right margin pointing to or marking the text about Mr. Edmund N. Bacon's letter.] The Minutes - 2 - 2.26.63 Preston Retreat continued Planning Commission could find a use for the building, preserving it thereby, the Historical Commission would give the Planning Commission every support. The letter shall included the following: * It was Resolved, after due procedure, that no action on the demolition of Preston Retreat shall be taken by the Historical Commission until it is advised what the Mayor and the City Planning Commission intend to do. CITY OWNED CERTIFIED BUILDINGS * It was resolved that the Commission should be notified of any changes to be made to any certified building owned by the City in a similar manner to the procedure followed by the owners of any other certified building. The Chair directed that a letter to that effect be written to the Commissioner of Public Property, asking his cooperation. THE ELEVEN HUNDRED BLOCK ON PINE STREET The secretary reported that, by mistake, the certifiable buildings in this block had been omitted from the authorized list and asked the Chair to endorse certification of these buildings for the record. This was done. It was moved and seconded that a letter be written to the Board of Education, asking if the schoolhouse at Quince and Pine Streets might be the oldest school building remaining, and if not, which one is indeed the oldest? There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:20 P. M. with a direction to the Secretary that word be given Mr. Simon indicating that the Members of the Commission missed him very much. Respectfully submitted, &c... *Copy of the letter to Mr. Bacon attached to the Minutes