D R A F T MINUTES OF THE NINETY-FIRST STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 30 March 1965 Present were: Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. John Taxin Councilman Mary A. Varallo Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. George S. Forde, Secretary, Mayor's Administrative Board Mr. Oscar Goodstein, Public Property Administrative Services Officer Mr. Myer Kerman, Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Mrs. William L. Shannon, Clerk Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions properly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Meeting held on 23 February 1965 were approved as circulated. REPORTS The Historical Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman The Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copies of these Minutes. Architectural Committee Meeting, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. Mr. Trautwein's Report, read by the secretary in his absence, was approved and directed to be filed. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Report was approved and directed to be filed. OLD BUSINESS Delaware Expressway, Archaeological Studies. Dr. Tinkcom stated that letters have been written to the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways, Mr. Harral, who seems to misunderstand their import. Dr. Tinkcom read excerpts from a letter from Miss Penelope Hartsthorne and Mr. Lee Nelson, writing as private citizens, who cited three points which might be incorporated into another letter from the Commission to Mr. Harral, regarding the necessary arrangements to be made for a proper salvage program before any contracts are let. Mrs. Varallo and Mr. Taxin asked for copies of the correspondence. Dr. Nichols agreed to meet with Dr. Cotter and report to the Historical Commission. Nothing further will be done until that report is received. NEW BUSINESS NEXT PAGE [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Handwritten signature/initials in top right corner (appears to be initials "KA" or similar) 2. Handwritten circle mark in top left margin 3. Handwritten circle mark in left margin near "OLD BUSINESS" section] THE MINUTES 3.30.65 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS The Delaware Expressway, a proposal to build it below grade. The secretary reported on a meeting at the Downtown Club 5 March 1965, called to discuss plans to tunnel the Expressway from Arch to Pine Streets. The secretary also read a letter from the Secretary of the Vestry, Gloria Dei
The Delaware Expressway, a proposal to build it below grade. The secretary reported on a meeting at the Downtown Club 5 March 1965, called to discuss plans to tunnel the Expressway from Arch to Pine Streets. The secretary also read a letter from the Secretary of the Vestry, Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church, asking that the proposed tunnel be extended as far south as Washington Avenue. It was resolved that the Commission is in accord with this request and with the proposal made at the Downtown Club. It was resolved that letters be sent to both the Committee to Preserve Philadelphia's Historic Gateway and to Gloria Dei to that effect. It was noted that the first study drawings for an express highway to carry traffic through Philadelphia had been made in 1932 by Mr. Simon. Redevelopment Authority's proposed contract with the Historical Commission for historical research. Dr. Tinkcorn reported on a meeting with Mr. Clarence G. Alhart, Deputy Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority, in which the relation of the Historical Commission with his agency was discussed in the light of their mutual interest in areas of the city where there are historical values to be preserved. Dr. Tinkcorn read a memorandum from Mr. Alhart which resulted from that meeting (see attached). Dr. Tinkcorn reported that at Mr. Alhart's request, the approximate cost of preparing the kind of historical survey the Re- development Authority requests for each building in which the Phila- delphia Historical Commission is interested was discussed with Dr. Nichols and the figure of $75.00 decided upon. This proposal of the Redevelopment Authority's will require an enlarged budget for the Historical Commission in order to maintain the Com- mission's trained staff. Mr. Kerman stated that there are two ways of getting more money for the research program: Ask Council for additional funds which would ultimately be offset by money coming in under this contract with the Redevelopment Authority, the contract to be with the commission not with the individual historian or her staff. Or, payments could be made to the historian(s) directly as is now being done. Mr. Ferguson stated that any money required for this program would have to be within the Commission's overall budget; that any additional money would be most difficult to find. It was determined that the Law Department should be consulted before there are any further talks with the Redevelopment Authority. The Chairman's
Ferguson stated that any money required for this program would have to be within the Commission's overall budget; that any additional money would be most difficult to find. It was determined that the Law Department should be consulted before there are any further talks with the Redevelopment Authority. The Chairman's query regarding the advisability of going to Council to ask for increased funds for use in 1965 was answered by Mr. Kerman who advised that this be done only for the expanded program for 1966. Dr. Tinkcorn was asked how much money would be needed for the balance of this year and replied that $3500 for Miss Porter for the second half of 1965 would be sufficient. Dr. Tinkcorn spoke of certain funds THE MINUTES 3.30.65 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS continued in Germantown which possibly could be directed toward research in the historic area. Dr. Tinkcom agreed to take this matter up with Mr. Hornung, Executive Director of Colonial Germantown, Inc. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned, on Motion by Mr. Taxin, at 4:30 P. M. Respectfully submitted After the meeting was adjourned the problem of Commission finances was discussed informally by several members of the Commission and Mr. Forde. It was proposed that a request for an immediate increase in the Commission's funds might be received favorably by Council, and that Councilman Varallo be approached in this matter.