THE FIFTEENTH MEETING of the PHILADELPHIA ADVISORY COMMISSION ON HISTORIC BUILDINGS, held on June 25, 1957 in Room 815, City Hall Annex. The following Members were present: Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Mr. Harry A. Batten Mr. R. Norris Williams, II Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. William P. Gennetti, Deputy Commissioner Department of Public Property Mr. Harry G. McDowell, Assistant Director of Finance. Also present were: Mr. James H. Ward, Executive Director, Zoning Advisory Board Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Theresa V. Pulice, Executive Secretary The Meeting was called to order at 3:40 P. M. The Minutes of the last Meeting were approved. Budget for 1958 The amount requested for Item 200 (Professional Services) for the Commission's 1958 Budget was $16,000.00, an increase of $4,000 over the 1957 Budget in this category, broken down as follows: Research Historian . . . . .$ 5,000 Assist. to Historian . . . . 3,000 Additional assist. Historian. . 3,000 Additional assist. Historian. . 3,000 Special Field Surveys. . . . . 2,000 $16,000 The Managing Director however, feels it would be more practical to employ a full time Civil Service Research Historian at approximately $6,000 a year and a full time Civil Service Assistant Research Historian at approximately $4,000 a year, rather than four historians on a part time basis. With this kind of program the breakdown would be as follows: Research Historian . . . . . .$ 6,000 Assistant Historian. . . . . . 4,000 Special Field Surveys. . . . . 2,000 $12,000 (1957 limit) and an additional request of $4,000 would be included as an expanded program for additional professional services. -2- The Minutes June 25, 1958 It was the unanimous feeling of the Commission that historical research by Civil Service appointment would be needlessly expensive and inadequate for the special authority which this Commission must have in its reports. It was stated that no eminarion had ever been given for research workers in this field. Mr. Gemetti asked that the Commission write him outlining our specific needs, and he would take this matter up further with the Managing Director. This was referred to Mr. Williams. Jurisdiction of City-owned Historic Buildings: At a Commission meeting on April 9, 1957, attended by Mr. McConnell, Director of Finance, the Commission requested that all City-owned historic buildings be referred to this Commission for approval of any demolition or alterations
with the Managing Director. This was referred to Mr. Williams. Jurisdiction of City-owned Historic Buildings: At a Commission meeting on April 9, 1957, attended by Mr. McConnell, Director of Finance, the Commission requested that all City-owned historic buildings be referred to this Commission for approval of any demolition or alterations to these buildings. Mr. McConnell suggested that this be handled through the Administrator of Finance), since all City-owned buildings come under its jurisdiction. When referred to Deputy Managing Director Weintraub, she stated in a memo to Mr. Gennetti that "we may achieve coordination through the Managing Director's Office a little more readily than through a resolution of Administrative Board". Mrs. Weintraub also requested a list of City-owned buildings certified by the Commission as being "historically significant". It was pointed out that the Commission's primary concern is to have all historically significant buildings recorded and preserved and that all such buildings should be subject to review before any alterations are undertaken. The Commission will prepare a list of City-owned historic buildings which have been certified. Dr. Tinkcom stated that this could very readily be done with the first list of certified buildings dated March 31st, 1957, but would require quite a bit of research on our additional certified lists. Mr. McDowell agreed to help Dr. Tinkcom in this endeavor. This list is to be forwarded to Mr. Gennetti. Mr. Ward on Historic Zoning: Mr. Ward, Executive Director of the Zoning Advisory Commission (invited to the meeting to bring members up to date on historic zoning) stated that the Commission is working itself out of the project on historic districting. It expects to terminate its activities at the end of this year. He gave a brief resume of the first draft of his historic district regulations which assistant City Solicitor Matthew W. Bullock, Jr., presented at our meeting on April 9, 1957. One of [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Page contains a black circular mark/stamp in bottom left corner (appears to be a binding or filing mark). There is also a handwritten notation "Pe" with a curved mark in the left margin near the section beginning "When referred to Deputy Managing Director Weintraub..."] - 3 - June 25, 1958 The Minutes the questions raised at that time was whether or not historic district regulations are Zoning matters, or whether special zones should be executed by separate ordinances. At the June meeting of the Zoning Advisory
beginning "When referred to Deputy Managing Director Weintraub..."] - 3 - June 25, 1958 The Minutes the questions raised at that time was whether or not historic district regulations are Zoning matters, or whether special zones should be executed by separate ordinances. At the June meeting of the Zoning Advisory Commission, Dean Perkins, Chairman of the Zoning Advisory Commission, agreed that historic district regu- lations should not be incorporated in the Zoning Ordinance and the Commission should cooperate with whatever Commission would make up (probably the Law Department) these regulations. The Zoning Advisory Commission will limit its activity to revision of the zoning map on the basis of redevelopment plans for the area. It is also asked to cooperate with zoning changes ini- tiated on a neighborhood level. Office Space for the Commission Mr. Simon talked to Deputy Managing Director Weintraub who informed that the Commission could not expect any space until Fall. Mr. Ward stated that his Commission is not submitting a budget for next year and suggested that the Commission submit a request for the rental of the office now occupied by the Zoning Advisory Board (Room 1101 Penn Square Building), if it proved to be suitable. Mr. Gonnetti stated he would look into this matter. Change of the Commission's Name: An ordinance changing the Commission's name from "Advisory Commission on Historic Buildings" to "Philadelphia Historical Commission" was approved on Thursday, June 20, 1957 by City Council. It was forwarded to the Mayor who is in Europe at the present time. He has until July 18th to sign it. The Pennsylvania Bible Society Building: The Chairman commented briefly on a letter received from Harry L. Parkinson, Office Secretary for the Pennsylvania Bible Society, dated June 5, 1957, requesting information on the building at 701 Walnut Street, now occupied by the Society and adjacent buildings. Dr. Tinkcom's research disclosed that this building was built in the 1850's. Her report was forwarded to Mr. Parkinson. Franklin Survey Plates: An estimate of $10.00 per plate was obtained from the Franklin Survey Company for the purchase of plates to cover areas of the City. It was decided that fourteen plates would be needed to cover the Germantown area and eleven plates to cover an area from the River to Broad and South to Vine. Maps for areas outside these boundaries would have to be photograph[text cut off] - 3 - The Minutes
the City. It was decided that fourteen plates would be needed to cover the Germantown area and eleven plates to cover an area from the River to Broad and South to Vine. Maps for areas outside these boundaries would have to be photograph[text cut off] - 3 - The Minutes June 25, 1958 the questions raised at that time was whether or not historic district regulations are Zoning matters, or whether special zones should be executed by separate ordinances. At the June meeting of the Zoning Advisory Commission, Dean Perkins, Chairman of the zoning advisory Commission, agreed that historic district regu- lations should not be incorporated in the Zoning Ordinance and the Commission should cooperate with whatever Commission would make up (probably the Law Department) these regulations. The Zoning advisory Commission will limit its activity to revision of the zoning map on the basis of redevelopment plans for the area. It is also asked to cooperate with zoning changes initi- ated on a neighborhood level. Office Space for the Commission Mr. Simon talked to Deputy Managing Director Weintraub who informed that the Commission could not expect any space until Fall. Mr. Ward stated that his Commission is not submitting a budget for next year and suggested that the Commission submit a request for the rental of the office now occupied by the Zoning Advisory Board (Room 1101 Penn Square Building), if it proved to be suitable. Mr. Gonnetti stated he would look into this matter. Change of the Commission's Name: An ordinance changing the Commission's name from "Advisory Commission on Historic Buildings" to "Philadelphia Historical Commission" was approved on Thursday, June 20, 1957 by City Council. It was forwarded to the Mayor who is in Europe at the present time. He has until July 18th to sign it. The Pennsylvania Bible Society Building: The Chairman commented briefly on a letter received from Harry L. Parkinson, Office Secretary for the Pennsylvania Bible Society, dated June 5, 1957, requesting information on the building at 701 Walnut Street, now occupied by the Society and adjacent buildings. Dr. Tinkcom's research disclosed that this building was built in the 1850's. Her report was forwarded to Mr. Parkinson. Franklin Survey Plates: An estimate of $10.00 per plate was obtained from the Franklin Survey Company for the purchase of plates to cover areas of the City. It was decided that fourteen plates would be needed to cover
was built in the 1850's. Her report was forwarded to Mr. Parkinson. Franklin Survey Plates: An estimate of $10.00 per plate was obtained from the Franklin Survey Company for the purchase of plates to cover areas of the City. It was decided that fourteen plates would be needed to cover the Germantown area and eleven plates to cover an area from the River to Broad and South to Vine. Maps for areas outside these boundaries would have to be photographs. CITY-OWNED BUILDINGS RECOMMENDED FOR PRESERVATION BY THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION (listed under Department or Agency responsible for their maintenance) DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY 1. Second Street Market (Head House and Market stalls), bed of Second Street, Pine to South 2. City Hall RECREATION DEPARTMENT 1. Shot Tower, Front and Carpenter 2. Stenton, 19th & Courtland Sts. 3. Vernon, Vernon Park (Germantown Avenue north of Chelten Avenue) WATER DEPARTMENT 1. Cannon Ball Farm, Penrose Ferry Road (Model Farm) MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES 1. 13-17 S. 7th Street, Atwater Kent Museum (Old Franklin Institute). BOARD OF CITY TRUSTS 1. Girard College, Corinthian and Girard Avenues 2. Girard's Gentilhommiere, 20th and Shunk PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY 1. Kirkbride's (Pennsylvania Hospital) 2. Busti Mansion (Pennsylvania Hospital grounds) FAIRMOUNT PARK COMMISSION 1. Bel Air (Singley house), League Island Park, 20th and Pattison 2. Bartram house, 34th and Eastwick 3. Fairmount Water Works, east bank of Schuylkill, near 25th Street 4. Belmont Mansion, W. Park, on Belmont Drive 5. Cedar Grove, W. Park, on Lansdowne Drive [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "* date designate" (in cursive) Various handwritten notations in margins next to each entry, appearing to be reference numbers or codes (e.g., "6'26'5'0" next to Second Street Market, "5'2'6'5'" next to City Hall, etc.)] - 2 - 6. The Cliffs, E. Park, near 33rd Street entrance 7. Glen Fern (Livesey house), foot of Livesey Lane and the Wissahickon 8. Hatfield house, E. Park, near 33rd and Girard 9. Laurel Hill (Randolph), E. Park, above E. River Drive, opposite Boathouse Row, between Woodford and Ormiston 10. Lemon Hill, E. Park, above E. River Drive, opposite Boathouse Row 11. The Lilacs, W. Park, north of west end of Dauphin Street bridge 12. The Monastery, foot of Kitchen's Lane and the Wissahickon 13. Mount Pleasant, E. Park, on plateau overlooking E. River Drive 14. Ormiston, E. Park, overlooking E. River Drive 15. Penn house (Letitia Street), W. Park, on
11. The Lilacs, W. Park, north of west end of Dauphin Street bridge 12. The Monastery, foot of Kitchen's Lane and the Wissahickon 13. Mount Pleasant, E. Park, on plateau overlooking E. River Drive 14. Ormiston, E. Park, overlooking E. River Drive 15. Penn house (Letitia Street), W. Park, on Lansdowne Drive 16. Ridgeland (Mt. Prospect), W. Park, on Monument Road 17. Rittenhouse house, Wissahickon Park, at the foot of Rittenhouse Street 18. Shoomac Park, Wissahickon Park, corner of Ridge Avenue and Wissahickon Drive 19. Solitude, Zoological Gardens 20. Strawberry Mansion, E. Park, near Dauphin St. Bridge 21. Sweetbrier, W. Park, on Lansdowne Drive 22. Woodford, E. Park, near Dauphin St. entrance 23. Wakefield, 16th and Lindley Avenue 24. Loudown, 4650 Germantown Avenue [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Handwritten reference numbers appear in the right margin next to each entry, appearing to be catalog or filing numbers (e.g., "6·26·5'0", "6·26·5'6", etc.). These are written in cursive and appear to be systematic notations.]