REPORT OF THE HISTORICAL VALUES COMMITTEE Meeting of March 21, 1960, in Mr. Williams' office of the Historical Society of Pa. Present: Dr. Nichols, Chairman Mr. Williams Dr. Tinkcom The Committee proposed that 306-308 Cherry Street, Christ Church Hospital from 1819-61, be certified. It concurred in the recommendation of the Architectural Committee that 4276 Orchard Street, Frankford, be certified. It also concurred with another recommendation of the Architectural Committee that a thorough study of the southwest corner of Fourth & Arch Streets be undertaken by the University of Pennsylvania. It is the Committee's belief that such a study should include an examination of both the written record and the building staff, and that it might be prepared by several well-trained graduate students under the direction of Dr. Garvan. The old building of the German Reform Church which still stands on the southside of Race Street, between Third & Fourth Streets, should be studied. This is the only one of a half-dozen churches which formerly dominated this part of the city to remain, and an effort should be made to interest the City Planning Commission in preserving it, if that should prove at all practicable. This church has been called to the attention of the German Society. At the request of Dr. S. K. Stevens, Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, it was agreed that the Historical Commission should write to Mrs. Lawrence M. C. Smith and accept her kind offer to store the bronze markers, removed from the Dock Street area, until these can be replaced appropriately after this area is rebuilt. The suggested procedure to be followed in recommending the removal of farmhouse from the Commission's certified list was approved. (See copy attached) -2- The Philadelphia Historical Commission was requested by Mr. Shedd, in charge of Interpretation for Region Five, National Park Service, to draw up a list of Philadelphia buildings (1700-1770) of national interest. The following were proposed: 1. All the 18th century churches--because as a group they exemplify the Pennsylvania policy of religious toleration--a policy which was unique at that time but which is now a fundamental part of the Constitution of the United States. Churches: Christ Church St. Peter's St. Paul's Gloria Dei Mennonite Meeting House Church of the Brethren Merion Meeting St. George's Methodist Old Pine Presbyterian Mikveh Israel Cemetery Frankford Friends Meeting, Unity & Waln Sts. Trinity Church, Frankford 2. Similarly, several
a fundamental part of the Constitution of the United States. Churches: Christ Church St. Peter's St. Paul's Gloria Dei Mennonite Meeting House Church of the Brethren Merion Meeting St. George's Methodist Old Pine Presbyterian Mikveh Israel Cemetery Frankford Friends Meeting, Unity & Waln Sts. Trinity Church, Frankford 2. Similarly, several buildings in Germantown, which illustrate the Americanization process at work: Germantown Academy David James Dove House Concord School (1775) Green Tree Tavern 3. John Bartram house and garden 4. Fort Mifflin 5. The Market at 2nd & Pine Sts. 6. Pennsylvania Hospital 7. Stenton 8. Cliveden 9. Powel House 10. Mt. Pleasant Since the National Park Service asked the Commission to recommend buildings of national interest only, many other fine Philadelphia houses have been omitted from this list, since they are of local rather than national significance. -3- The Committee discussed the advisability of having the Philadelphia Historical Commission join the Society of Architectural Historians. It was decided that this is unnecessary in view of the fact that four of the members of the Commission are, themselves, members of that Society.