MINUTES OF THE FIFTIETH MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION March 28, 1961 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Mrs. Richardson Dilworth Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Philip Carroll, representing Commissioner Gennetti Mr. Harry G. McDowell, Deputy Director of Finance Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary Miss Constance F. Smith, Clerk II. Unless otherwise stated all actions reported herein have been after motions properly seconded and carried. THE MINUTES for the February 28th meeting were approved as read. REPORTS Dr. Nichols - Historic Values Committee. Parts one to three were approved as attached. Part IV. was put over to Old Business. Mr. Trautwein - Architectural Committee. Report approved and attached. Dr. Tinkcom - Commission Activities. Report approved and attached. OLD BUSINESS New Houses Proposed for Third Street. A letter from Mr. Sydney Martin was read and discussed. It was recommended that it be tabled until after the meeting scheduled for April 4. Mr. Williams requested a copy saying he believed the Commission should go on record as favoring something similar to the Andalue drawings for the new houses to be built south of St. Paul's, opposite the Powell House. Senate Bill No. 172. It was recommended that the Commission ask the City Solicitor for an opinion on the bill as it might apply to the Historical Commission. This was approved. The Chairman asked Messrs. McDowell and Carroll to get an opinion from the City Solicitor. Bill No. 763. It was recommended that a letter be written to Mr.David Berger, City Solicitor, asking that the bill be "interpreted" to permit the restoration of winding stairs of which there is archaeological or historical evidence. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "Approved 4/25, 4, 6)" in manuscript handwriting] THE MINUTES -2- March 28, 1961 Route of the Delaware Expressway. The research staff was directed to continue its map marking the certified houses which may lie in the path of the Expressway north to Aramingo Street. The new route announced in the morning INQUIRER and the inability of the Commission to obtain definite plans of the alternate routes were discussed. NEW BUSINESS Germantown Town Hall. A memorandum proposing a new building to replace this inadequate Town Hall was read. Since the Town Hall is not historic, it was the opinion of the Commission that
and the inability of the Commission to obtain definite plans of the alternate routes were discussed. NEW BUSINESS Germantown Town Hall. A memorandum proposing a new building to replace this inadequate Town Hall was read. Since the Town Hall is not historic, it was the opinion of the Commission that this matter is beyond its jurisdiction. A Five Year Report from the Commission. Dr. Tinkcom suggested that a report of the Commission's work, 1956 - 1960 be prepared. This was approved with the recommendation that the City Representative's office be asked to publish it. Date of the May Meeting. The May meeting will be held on the thirty-first, since the last Tuesday is a legal holiday. Graff House, Seventh & Market Streets. The Art Commission's letter, objecting to the reconstruction of this house where Thomas Jefferson boarded while writing the Declaration of Independence, was read. The Commission concurred that a small park would be a more suitable memorial than a reconstruction. Girard College. It was reported that the columns of Founders' Hall are being veneered to restore them to their original appearance. If no permit for this work was issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and the report is correct, Dr. Tinkcom was instructed to call the president of the College and remind him that such a permit is necessary. The Meeting was adjourned at five o'clock. Respectfully submitted, Charles E. Peterson, Secretary