DRAFT THE MINUTES OF THE EIGHTEENTH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 31 March 1964 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. John Taxin Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Erling H. Pedersen, consulting architect, Old Philadelphia Development Corporation Isadore Kranzel, Esq., Counsel to the Historical Commission Mr. Oscar Goodstein, representing Commissioner Charles G. Day Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Miss Constance F. Smith, Clerk II. Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein were the result of motions properly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the 25 February 1964 Stated Meeting were approved as circulated. The Chairman introduced Mr. Pedersen who came to discuss the philosophy of restoration in general, using the problem created by 417 Spruce Street as a point of departure. It was agreed that the exterior, the pictorial aspect, is the important factor in the restoration of Old Philadelphia. This, if well done, serves to maintain the character of the neighborhood. Mr. Pedersen asked the Commission's reaction to a proposal to restore the fronts of a whole block of certified buildings at one time. It was agreed that this is an excellent idea, that it would be cheaper to do, and that it might help to solve some of the problems which are inhibiting the sale of Society Hill properties. The Chairman thanked Mr. Pedersen for coming to the Meeting and excused him. REPORTS Historic Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. The Report was approved as read and ordered to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. This Report on fourteen submissions and two requests for plaques was approved and was ordered to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Report was approved. A discussion on the legality of using "outside money" which might be made available to the Commission for historical research followed. Mr. Kranzel, the Commission's legal representative, stated that it would be possible to set up a trust, "The Philadelphia Historical Research Fund" to administer grants of this nature. No resolution of the Historical Commission is required to set in motion the creation of such a trust, since approval of Dr. Tinkcom's report will provide the necessary motion permitting more THE MINUTES 31 March 1964 Page 2. REPORTS continued the
Historical Research Fund" to administer grants of this nature. No resolution of the Historical Commission is required to set in motion the creation of such a trust, since approval of Dr. Tinkcom's report will provide the necessary motion permitting more THE MINUTES 31 March 1964 Page 2. REPORTS continued the Commissioner of Public Property to proceed in the matter. It was proposed that the trust have up to nine members, that it begin with three members of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, plus one or two who are not on the Commission. A letter will be sent to Mr. Kranzel directing him to prepare the docu- ment setting up the trust. Mr. Simon thanked Mr. Kranzel and excused him. Nagles House. It was resolved that a letter be sent to Dean Perkins (with a carbon copy to Mr. Bacon), stating the Commission's objection to any plan to move certified buildings in Germantown. It was also re- solved that the Chairman write to Mr. Dunlop of Sun Oil Company in the same vein. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Taxin asked if Historical Philadelphia is to be represented at the World's Fair to open in April 1964. It was suggested that his question might properly be put to the City Representative's Office. Mr. Taxin also discussed the Abercrombie-Neave houses, 272-278 South Second Street. Mr. Batten recommended that Mr. Taxin write to Mr. William L. Day on this subject, since the Historical Commission has no jurisdiction therein. Mr. Goodstein, on behalf of the Commissioner of Public Property, Mr. Day, extended an invitation to as many of the Commission as possible and the staff, to attend the City Employees Luncheon at the Bellvue on Friday, 29 May at 12:15 P.M. The Chairman thanked Mr. Goodstein and agreed to let him know who would be able to accept the Commission's invitation. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at five o'clock. Respectfully submitted