MINUTES OF THE 182nd STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1 November 1973 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Charles R. Tyson, Vice Chairman Mrs. James C. Grunlich, Jr. Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Pinkowski John Tastin R. Sturgis Ingersoll, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission David A. Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Mrs. Joseph Segal, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patricia Siemiankowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 26 September 1973, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 17 October 1973 was reviewed by the Board and approved. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The following buildings were certified by the Board as being worthy of preservation: The Scottish Rite Temple--southwest corner of Race and Broad Streets. Fidelity Philadelphia Trust--123 South Broad Street. Rodeph Shalom--Broad and Mt. Vernon Streets. Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania. Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania. LRU South Fortieth Street. Library for the Blind--1700 Spring Garden Street, built in 1907 as Carnegie Library-building. 1913 Walnut Street. 2300 Germantown Avenue. 221 Edinbridge Street (a.k.a. 625 South American Street)--Ralston School. 907-09 Race Street. 1420 Pine Street--Peirce Junior College. MINUTES 2 1 November 1973 REPORTS (Cont'd) Mr. Kelly suggested that the letter notifying the Peirce Junior College of the certification of its building at 1420 Pine Street also note that the building should be steam cleaned and a more appropriate sign hung. Report on Historical Commission Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom's report for the months of September and October was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS 423-25 South Second Street, Read House East Project, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. Prior to the Commission's regularly scheduled Stated Meeting a conference was held at the Read House East construction site at Second and Lombard Streets at the request of the Meridian Engineering Company to discuss the Board's requirement that the developer retain the original cornice of the building at 423 and 425 South Second Street. (The rear walls have already been taken down, without a building permit?, earlier in the week.) After
and Lombard Streets at the request of the Meridian Engineering Company to discuss the Board's requirement that the developer retain the original cornice of the building at 423 and 425 South Second Street. (The rear walls have already been taken down, without a building permit?, earlier in the week.) After returning to the Commission office the Board voted to reverse its previous decision to require the retention of the original cornices of the buildings at 423 and 425 South Second Street. This action was taken to allow the project to be carried through without any change in plan and without any further delay. Mr. Tynca recommended that this decision be recorded as taken "without prejudice" and that it did not constitute a precedent. This action was also taken in view of the Architectural Committee's unanimous endorsement of the entire project. Cannon Ball Park, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Board members reviewed the two proposed sites for the relocation of the Cannon Ball Park house and agreed to recommend "Scheme" A as the more appropriate one. A letter will be sent to Commissioner Guarino informing him of the Board's decision in this matter. Haviland Paneling, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Since the Haviland paneling was removed from the State House during its restoration can no longer be stored by the National Park Service in their Virginia office, the Historical Commission has been asked to find it a permanent resting place. It was agreed that, if possible, the paneling might be placed with the Liberty Bell in its new home. A letter will be sent to the National Park Service regarding this proposal. MINUTES 3 1 November 1973 OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd) 56-66 North Third Street. Request for Demolition, Dr. Margaret S. Osbon, Petitioner. Because of the division among the Society of Friends regarding the proposed demolition of the building at 56-66 North Third Street, the Board agreed not to take any action at this time. A letter will be sent to George Otto asking the Friends to resolve this apparent disunity before the Philadelphia Historical Commission renders any decision. The letter will also outline the Historical Commission's hope for the preservation and utilization of the structures under consideration and offer whatever assistance might be needed. NEW BUSINESS Procedure for Notifying owners of the certification of their Buildings. Commissioner Costello presented to the Board for consideration a procedure for notifying the petitioners
will also outline the Historical Commission's hope for the preservation and utilization of the structures under consideration and offer whatever assistance might be needed. NEW BUSINESS Procedure for Notifying owners of the certification of their Buildings. Commissioner Costello presented to the Board for consideration a procedure for notifying the petitioners of historical buildings prior to the Board's taking action in certifying any historic structure. It was the opinion of the Commission's Counsel that the owner of a building has the right to be informed of the Board's interest in his building before any action is taken. After much discussion, a motion, presented by Mr. Pinkoski, was made to nominate buildings for certification; notify the owner of this nomination; and, then, after a specified period of time, take action on the nomination. This motion was approved. Replacement for Dr. Tinkcom, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. A report on the status of obtaining a replacement for Dr. Tinkcom was made to the Commission. Since a replacement could most probably not be found until March, Dr. Tinkcom, who had planned to leave her position at the end of December, was asked to continue in an acting capacity until a suitable replacement has been found. This she agreed to do if no other alternative was available. The Commission, also, at this time, recommended the following persons to serve on the examination panel for the oral test to be given to all applicants for the position: Dr. Whitfield Bell, American Philosophical Society Library Dr. Richard Dunn, History Department, University of Pennsylvania Dr. George Venna, University of Delaware Dr. Anthony Garvey, American Civilization Department, University of Pennsylvania Mr. John Lloyd, Architect Mr. Nicholas Wainwright, Director of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. John Dickey, A.I.A., Chairman of the Preservation Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. MINUTES 4 1 November 1973 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) Certain-teed Products proposal, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The designation of specific buildings to be recommended to the Certain- teed Products Corporation as structures on which they could install a new roof as an advertising gimmick was left in the hands of the Commission's Historian. Mr. Kelly, however, did recommend the Vesper Boat House if this proposal could be implemented immediately. Mr. Kelly, before the meeting ended, made a motion to view with regret the retirement of Mr. Costello from his position as Commissioner of the Department of
in the hands of the Commission's Historian. Mr. Kelly, however, did recommend the Vesper Boat House if this proposal could be implemented immediately. Mr. Kelly, before the meeting ended, made a motion to view with regret the retirement of Mr. Costello from his position as Commissioner of the Department of Public Property. The Board thanked the Commissioner for his interest and assistance over the years in which he served the Commission as an ex-officio member and extended to him their best wishes. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiatkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman