FINAL APPROVAL 2/24/49 PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION D R A F T THE TWENTY-NINTH MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION January 27, 1959 Held in the Commission's office, 634 City Hall at 3:30 P.M. Present were: Mrs. Richardson Dilworth Mr. Harry A. Batten Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. William J. Schwabe, representing Commissioner Gennetti Mr. Harry G. McDowell, representing Mr. McConnell Mr. George I. Lovatt, City Architect Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman. THE MINUTES for January 6, 1959, were approved with two corrections. DR. TINKCOM'S REPORT Mr. Clerk Zantzinger, Jr. offered to have the certified buildings in the Society Hill area plotted on an outline map, if the Commission would supply the map. An enlarged copy was obtained from the Redevelopment Authority and given to Mr. Zantzinger. At this date, it is finished roughly, each individual certified building appearing on it. The Commission will soon receive it. Miss Adele Rudolph, retired Public School teacher, at one time supervisor of Elementary Industrial Art, has been doing volunteer work for the Commission at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, gathering information from early numbers of the PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE and making a list of the Society's prints and old photographs of interest to the Commission. Mrs. Tinkcom asked the Commission to consider an honorarium for Miss Rudolph, for the excellent work she is doing. Mr. Batten moved and it was seconded, that a contract be given Miss Rudolph for $500, to be paid quarterly at the, rate of $125.00 a quarter. Mr. Moser of the Department of Streets, has in his jurisdiction, a great many valuable maps of Philadelphia which are not being used. He would be happy to have these maps given into this Commission's custody and suggested that a [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Top of page: "2/24/49" written by hand 2. Margin note near "Mr. Batten moved": appears to show "V Dilworth" with unclear strikethrough or annotation] The Minutes -2- Jan. 27, 1959 That a letter be sent to Streets Commissioner Smallwood, from the Chairman, requesting permission to transfer the maps from Mr. Moser's office to this Commission. Dr. Tinkcom was requested to write this letter for the Chairman's signature. It was also reported that there are some extremely valuable manuscript maps in the same Department and these ought to be photographed on large size film for the
transfer the maps from Mr. Moser's office to this Commission. Dr. Tinkcom was requested to write this letter for the Chairman's signature. It was also reported that there are some extremely valuable manuscript maps in the same Department and these ought to be photographed on large size film for the Commission's records. The City Planning Commission called the office to say that Marshall's Court and the several banks on the north side of Chestnut Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, are in danger of being demolished. It was suggested that Mr. Simon write to Mr. M. O. Anderson, asking for further information on the National Park Service's plans for Marshall's Court, that the Commission hopes that they might be saved. Mrs. Tinkcom was directed to report to the Planning Commission that the Philadelphia Historical Commission is studying the Mid-nineteenth Century bank buildings on Chestnut Street. The Chairman asked Mr. Peterson to collect sufficient data on the banks so that the Commission might certify them if it saw fit; Mr. Peterson agreed to do what he could UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Kirkbride's. Mr. Williams was asked if he had any report. He had not. It was reported that an auction of the furnishings will be held by the Freeman Galleries on February 2 and 3 2. The City Architect's library. The Chairman reported that, through the kindness of Mr. Lovatt, the Commission has become custodian of these valuable books and will do its best to preserve them. 3. Head House of the Second Street Market. Mr. Lovatt showed plans that had been prepared for its restoration, saying that the City is now taking bids for the Head House and the first three bays of the market. The Minutes -3- Jan. 27/59 Funds may become available from the Redevelopment Authority to continue restoration of the market to Lombard Street. Mr. Lovatt reported that alternate bids will be let to take care of this additional restoration and of the paving. Another bid will be accepted for lighting, still another for buffer posts. Discussion concerning the advisability of using Belgian blocks ensued. It was brought to the Commission's attention about that these did not appear until the 1840's. Other points of difference were discussed. The Chairman said that if there are any objections, they should be presented now for Mr. Brumbaugh's attention. It was Re- solved that the plans, as they stand, be approved. In
to the Commission's attention about that these did not appear until the 1840's. Other points of difference were discussed. The Chairman said that if there are any objections, they should be presented now for Mr. Brumbaugh's attention. It was Re- solved that the plans, as they stand, be approved. In the meantime, be- for the work actually begins, Mri Peterson was urged to continue his street search for certain earlier plans showing a different arrangement of the brick piers in the Market, which he once discovered and studied. A formal motion approving the signing of the plans by the Chairman, was seconded. It was also proposed that a formal approval of Mr. Lovett's work be made at this meeting. This was done. 4. Pennsylvania Hospital Nurses Home. The Chairman reminded the Commission that the Board of Managers of the Hospital, had agreed to review the materials they intend to use, with this Commission. NEW BUSINESS: 1. 312 DeLancey Street. Mr. Simon briefly stated the facts; That according to the present plan, this house will be demolished for the Greenway; that Mr. Farber, the owner, wishes to restore it, if the Greenway can be shifted to permit its preservation. Mr. Simon added that Mr. Andrade is amenable to changing the walkway to St. Peter's so that this distin- guished house might be spared demolition. Dr. Tinkcom's report on Robert The Minutes -4- Jan. 27/59 Blackwell, Bishop White's assistent at Christ Church & St. Peter's for thirty years, and the owner of 312 DeLancey, was mentioned. The Commission approved the preservation of this house. NEW BUSINESS, continued. 2. The secretary was asked to read Dean Perkins' letter of recent date,in which he expressed himself as being deeply indebted to the Commission for its co- operation with the City Planning Commission in regard to the plans for re- habilitating Washington Square, East. 3. Mr. Simon reported that he, Mr. Sydney Martin and Mr. Andrade had spent several hours inspecting the buildings certified as historic, which the Redevelopment Authority intends to demolish. Most of these seemed legiti- mate to Mr. Simon, though he questioned the demolition of 216 and 218 St. James Street, which are one and a half story dwellings. Research on these houses is in process. A map prepared by the Authority was consulted, and the Chairman described the rest of the properties scheduled for demolition. Dr. Tinkcom was asked to have
the demolition of 216 and 218 St. James Street, which are one and a half story dwellings. Research on these houses is in process. A map prepared by the Authority was consulted, and the Chairman described the rest of the properties scheduled for demolition. Dr. Tinkcom was asked to have the research staff gather information on the eighty-two properties which are to be rehabilitated and to make arrangements to have the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation finance this study. Mr. Peterson objected to the proposed destruction of Stafford's Tavern and the Benjamin Paschell house at the corner of Spruce and Mattis streets. These are two of the oldest and most picturesque houses on the street and the sites are not added, he believes, for anything new. 4. The Commission's office request: Chairs. Those in use to-day, have been borrowed. Mr. Schwabe reported that he is still looking for others which would be suitable for this room. He also agreed to see if a letter-size file might be available. Mr. Schwabe vetoed an air-conditioner, but agreed to see what could be done toward obtaining the use of an electric fan for the coming summer. The Minutes -5- Jan. 27, 1959 The Chairman remarked that the present Commission has now been functioning for three years and that, in his opinion, the time had come for the members to consider the propriety of resigning, in order to give the Mayor an opportunity to appoint another commission, if he so desired. This proposal was discussed. Mr. Batten told the members that he is to have an appointment with Mayor Dilworth the following day, that he will ask his pleasure on this point. No action was taken. SUBMISSIONS: New bathrooms and clothes closets for the second floor of the Chew Mansion, and a new bathroom for 233 DeLancey Street. Neither of these will alter the exteriors in any way. The Meeting was adjourned at 4:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, &c.