Historical Commission — Dec 6, 1973

MINUTES OF THE 1&1st STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 December 1973 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Mrs. James C. Crumlish, Jr. Edward Pinkowski John Texin Robert Silver, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Barbara Liggett, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission James A. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance David Rosenblum, Assistant City Solicitor Mrs. Joseph Segal, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patricia Siemiontkowski, 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, 1 November 1973, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 15 November 1973 was presented to the Board and approved with the following addition to the Minute concerning 426 Pine Street. "The cornice, a fine example of its period, should be salvaged and reused elsewhere." 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: 521 Lombard Street ° K 1003-05 Arch Street — 6K Southwest corner Juniper and Chestnut ~ Penfield Building -6lK 4201 Powelton Avenue ° K The request of the owner for the certification of 103 Fairmount Avenue was reviewed and denied. It was the opinion of the Board that this structure, as it presently exists, does not merit certification. Commission Activities, Report on, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom's report for the month of November was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. MINUTES 2 6 December 1973 OLD BUSINESS Haviland Paneling, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Historian reported to the Board her request of the Women's Committee of Philadelphia '76 to support the Philadelphia Historical Commission's suggestion of installing the Haviland paneling in the new building planned to house the Liberty Bell. NEW BUSINESS Resolution for Commissioner Costello, Patricia Siemionkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The resolution, as presented, was approved. Proposed New Offices for the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Craig Scheltier, City Planning Commission. This matter was held for the Commission's next Stated Meeting. Stanley Arnold and Associates, Proposal, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. An inquiry from Stanley Arnold and Associates requesting general information on restoration projects available in the Philadelphia area

New Offices for the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Craig Scheltier, City Planning Commission. This matter was held for the Commission's next Stated Meeting. Stanley Arnold and Associates, Proposal, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. An inquiry from Stanley Arnold and Associates requesting general information on restoration projects available in the Philadelphia area was reported to the Board. This firm's client is searching for a building in need of restoration for the benefit of University expansion projects. (They are considering an investment of up to $100,000.) At the suggestion of Jerry Altman of PHILADELPHIA '76, the Commission will recommend those buildings on the Bicentennial priority list — the Ohio House, the Graff Mansion, and Mother Bethel Church (stained glass window restoration only) to this firm for consideration. John Cotter's Suggestion for Archaeological Exploration, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Cotter's letter asking that the Historical Commission cooperate with a newly formed student group interested in archaeology was presented to the Board for review. The group, as outlined in Cotter's letter, consists of approximately sixty students whose purpose is to undertake salvage archaeology at important sites in the City as they become available. Dr. Cotter suggested that the Redevelopment Authority might provide information on available sites and the funds for such a program in urban renewal areas. Miss Liggett pointed out to the Board that the program, as presented, is only a student activity with no academic controls. To accomplish any worthwhile archaeological project, a proficient crew, properly supervised, would be needed. Miss Liggett suggested that the Commission express interest in this program but with reservations. The Board voted to leave the matter in the hands of the Historian and Miss Liggett. MINUTES 3 6 December 1973 NEW BUSINESS Job Opening for Historian, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. Dr. Haas reported to the Board the advertisement of Dr. Tinlacm's job in the City's Personnel office. Applications are now being accepted. Mr. Magaziner suggested to the Board, at this time, that they consider the addition of a businessman, to be panel selected to administer the Civil Service examination to the applicants. It was his opinion that a person with knowledge of City real estate and the complex problems which face preservationists might be useful on the panel. Dr. Tinklcm agreed that such a person could be useful to the Commission on its Board but not on the examination panel. After considerable discussion, the Board agreed,

that a person with knowledge of City real estate and the complex problems which face preservationists might be useful on the panel. Dr. Tinklcm agreed that such a person could be useful to the Commission on its Board but not on the examination panel. After considerable discussion, the Board agreed, at the suggestion of Mr. Ferguson, to ask Mr. Foster Hoser, Director of Personnel, for permission to have a member of the Commission on the exam panel. Dr. Haas will look into this matter and report to the Commission at its next meeting. Next Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. The Board unanimously voted to cancel the January Stated Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for February 7, 1974. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemicntkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman