FINAL APPROVAL PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION D R A F T MINUTES OF THE FORTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION June 28, 1960 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Dr. Roy F. Nichols Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Philip Carroll, representing Commissioner Gennetti Mr. Harry G. McDowell, Deputy Commissioner of Finance Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary Miss Constance F. Smith THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 31 MEETING were approved as circulated Unless otherwise stated, all actions reported herein are taken after motions properly presented, seconded and carried. DR. TINKCOM'S REPORT During the month of June the office staff answered 110 queries regarding Old Philadelphia. Most of the telephone calls or visits were made by owners who wanted information about their house. Other researchers included a man who hopes to make an historical movie, and Dr. Tatum who is preparing a brief history of Philadelphia buildings to be published in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the American Institute of Architects. Mrs. Kirkbride and Dr. Tinkcom are reading the text; Mr. Simon will be among the eminent artists whose work illustrate the changing tide of architecture in our city. The houses in Unit III., Washington Square East, have been checked. All on the Redevelopment Authority's list are standing. The Historical Society of Frankford answered our query and will send a list of Frankford buildings for the Commission's consideration later in the summer. Otherwise, the work proceeds as usual. It was moved and seconded that Dr. Tinkcom's report be approved. DR. NICHOLS' REPORT (See attached sheet) It was moved and seconded that the Commission recommend to the Redeveloper that the McCall house at the NE corner of Second and Delancey Streets be saved [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "FINAL APPROVAL" with a line through it, and handwritten notation "June 21/60" (date appears to be June 21, 1960)] THE MINUTES -2- June 28, 1960 DR. NICHOLS REPORT continued until some definite plan is proposed for the site and that, if possible, the plans for this land should include a restoration of the house. A copy of this resolution was ordered sent to the Mutual Assurance Company, whose Policy No. 1 was issued on the Archibald McCall house. A garden, to be attached to the fine house on the SW corner of Second
plans for this land should include a restoration of the house. A copy of this resolution was ordered sent to the Mutual Assurance Company, whose Policy No. 1 was issued on the Archibald McCall house. A garden, to be attached to the fine house on the SW corner of Second and Delancey will replace 202-206 Delancey. Since these are not remarkable houses, the Redevelopment Authority's plan to remove them was agreed to. The houses on the west side of Second Street below Spruce (300-312) are well worth saving in the Commission's opinion and it recommends that the Redevelopment Authority restudy its plan for this section of Second Street. It was recommended that a letter be sent to the Redevelopment Authority and to the City Planning Commission, protesting the proposed demolition of numbers 346 and 348 South Fourth Street and recommending that these two houses be saved. It was recommended that letters to the Redevelopment Authority, the City Planning Commission, the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation, to Dr. Mackie and to Mr. Koei, Rector of St. Peter's Church, be written, asking that the proposals for tearing down the houses in the 400 block of Addison and Lombard Streets, and 225, 227, 329 Lombard Street be restudied and that these houses be preserved and restored. It was proposed that the six houses on Addison Street be certified by this Commission. These recommendations were approved. The demolition of the houses in the 600 block of Delancey and Cypress Streets was questioned. If any alternative plan for the McCall School can be found, these houses should be preserved. The question of securing correct texts for all historical markers erected in Philadelphia was discussed. It was recommended that the Commission consider the desirability of securing the authority to review the text of all such markers put up in the city. Mr. Batten suggested that the Chairman write to Mr. Larson, Chairman of the Art Commission, which has jurisdiction over the design of such markers, offering this Commission's cooperation on the matter of text. This suggestion was approved. Upon motion, Dr. Nichols' report was approved. MR. TRAUTWEIN'S REPORT (See attached sheet) In Mr. Trautwein's absence, the secretary was asked to read his report. In brief the Commission considered: 338 South Fourth Street, for which one of Mr. John A. Bower's drawings was approved. 217 Spruce Street, for which Mr. George B. Roberts's drawing was approved. 502 Spruce
REPORT (See attached sheet) In Mr. Trautwein's absence, the secretary was asked to read his report. In brief the Commission considered: 338 South Fourth Street, for which one of Mr. John A. Bower's drawings was approved. 217 Spruce Street, for which Mr. George B. Roberts's drawing was approved. 502 Spruce Street, for which a second drawing is to be requested of the builder. 409 South Fourth Street, for which a second drawing is to be requested. 332 South Fourth Street, which cannot be approved until another submission is presente 632 Spruce Street. The Committee recommended that the Redevelopment Authority be asked to review its decision regarding alterations to this building, which the Commission regards as a late 19th century alteration that could not feasibly be restored to its original state, short of complete demolition of the second and third story. 243 Pine Street, an uncertified building, entirely rebuilt in the late 19th century; considered ineligible for the plaque requested by the owner. THE MINUTES -3- June 28, 1960 MR. ROBBINS' DRAWINGS of Philadelphia architectural details were distributed to Mr. Peterson, Mr. Trautwein and Mr. Lloyd for study. A report will be forthcoming at their early convenience. SALVAGE After discussing this matter, it was recommended that the problem be presented to the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. Mr. Batten agreed to do this and to report to the Commission at the next meeting. Upon motion, Mr. Trautwein's report was approved. The Chairman reviewing the matter of 632 Spruce and 409 South Third Street, noted that early this year, the Redevelopment Authority made recommendation to the owners which are somewhat at variance with those required by the Historical Commission. It was recommended that the Chairman write a letter to the Redevelopment Authority, asking that its clients be referred to the Commission before they receive explicit directions for restoration of certified buildings, in order to avoid confusion in the minds of property-owners. This recommendation was approved. OLD BUSINESS CIVIL SERVICE Mr. McDowell reported that contracts for the historical staff are to be continued for 1961 and the status quo maintained. At the request of the Finance Department, the Personnel Department has dropped the study of Civil Service status for the historians. THE HEAD HOUSE Mr. Carroll reported that there was difficulty in using Mrs. Van Pelt's $5,000. The legal problems have now been straightened out and the work is now being finished. Mr. Carroll
the Finance Department, the Personnel Department has dropped the study of Civil Service status for the historians. THE HEAD HOUSE Mr. Carroll reported that there was difficulty in using Mrs. Van Pelt's $5,000. The legal problems have now been straightened out and the work is now being finished. Mr. Carroll also reported that he had been in touch with Mr. Wallace of the National Park Service and had expressed his regret that the City had been unable to remove the fire equipment from the Old City Hall by June 20, and put in the Head House. This will be done as soon as possible. DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT Mr. McDowell reported that the Cabinet did not deem the time appropriate to endorse such an ordinance. The Chairman suggested that the matter be tabled for the time being. This was approved. BIDDING The Chairman reported that this matter had been initiated by the Commission's in 1958 and part of a letter to Mr. H. O. Anderson, Superintendent of the Independence National Historic Park, dated Feb. 2, 1958, was read. Mr. Carroll reported that the matter had again come to the fore in connection with work being done at the Atwater Kent Museum. The question was asked: Can Proume qualify a list of contractors who alone will be permitted to bid when work is to be done on one of the City-owned historic buildings? Mr. McDowell reported that a similar qualified list was drawn up for the Food Center. The restoration of certified buildings is a specialized job, requiring qualification quite different from those needed for THE MINUTES -4- June 28, 1960 BIDDING continued other kinds of repair or alteration. It was recommended that a letter be sent to the Procurement Department, urging that a list of approved bidders be set up. The Chairman asked Mr. McDowell and Mr. Carroll to work on this matter with the Procurement Department. They agreed to do this. Dr. Tinkcom reported that the City never presents plans for the alteration or restoration of its buildings to the Commission and noted that it would help the Commission's public relations if this could be done. NEW BUSINESS ABERCROMBIE AND NEAVE HOUSES Mr. Peterson reported that the Redevelopment Authority had plans for demolishing the back buildings of these two houses to make way for a ramp to a proposed underground garage. Mr. Peterson urged that a letter to the Redevelopment
relations if this could be done. NEW BUSINESS ABERCROMBIE AND NEAVE HOUSES Mr. Peterson reported that the Redevelopment Authority had plans for demolishing the back buildings of these two houses to make way for a ramp to a proposed underground garage. Mr. Peterson urged that a letter to the Redevelopment Authority be sent this week, asking that the back buildings of the Abercrombie and Neave houses be preserved. The Chairman was asked to write to Mr. von Moschzisker as soon as possible. RIDGWAY LIBRARY The certification of this building was discussed. It was agreed to table the proposal. LETTER FROM LANE BRYANT Lane Bryant asked the Commission to find something of historic value which can stand on a plot of ground before their new store in Ardmore. The Commission has no way of obtaining such an item, but suggested that the Chairman recommend that Lane Bryant communicate with Robert T. Trump. This suggestion was approved. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING There will be a stated meeting on the last Tuesday in July. Dr. Tinkcom reported that Mr. Alhart asked whether he might attend that meeting. The Commission approved. Mr. Alhart will be formally invited and scheduled to speak at the beginning of the meeting. STAFFORD'S TAVERN Mr. Peterson asked if it would be possible for the Commission to ask the Redevelopment Authority to release Stafford's Tavern to the Knauers in the same way that the Davis House, 217 Spruce Street, had been released to the Ingersolls. Mr. Peterson also said that in his opinion, it would be appropriate for this Commission to congratulate Mr. Knauer on his interest and to express the hope that his plans can be carried out. This was agreed to. Further, Mr. Williams agreed to ask Mr. Batten, who had been excused before this discussion began, how such a letter from the Redevelopment Authority might be obtained. 635 PINE STREET A late submission by Mr. W. Nelson Anderson on this uncertified building was presented with a recommendation that the Commission certify the house. It was agreed to certify this house. THE MINUTES -5- June 28, 1960 ST. PETER'S CHURCH Since alterations to the staircases at the chancel end of the church, two small rooms at the western end and a lavatory in the tower are all interior alterations, the Commission recommended that the building permit be approved. It was suggested that the Chairman write to Mr.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH Since alterations to the staircases at the chancel end of the church, two small rooms at the western end and a lavatory in the tower are all interior alterations, the Commission recommended that the building permit be approved. It was suggested that the Chairman write to Mr. George B. Roberts, thanking him for submitting the drawing and expressing the Commission's interest, stating that it is not the policy of the Commission to review interior alterations to certified buildings. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted &c....... Mr. Charles E. Peterson, Secretary