MINUTES OF THE 171st STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 2 November 1972 Present: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Edward Pinkowski Charles R. Tyson Walter A. Browne, Administrative Analyst, Department of Public Property James L. Kengson, Deputy Director of Finance Henry J. Magasiner, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Mrs. Joseph Segal, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Louis Kremer, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Patricia Siemiatkowski, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES for the Stated Meeting, 5 October 1972, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The recommendation of the Architectural Committee regarding the restoration of Holy Trinity Church contained in the Report of that Committee for 19 October 1972 was corrected to read "the finials and railing on the tower of the Church of the Holy Trinity should be replaced." The report was approved as amended and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Staff Recommendations for the Certification of Buildings, Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The Commission voted to certify the following buildings: 2100 block of Green Street – both sides. 3200 block of Pomalton Avenue – south side. 714 North Broad Street – Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. 1300 Pine Street (southwest corner). Report on Historical Commission Activities for the month of October, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. MINUTES 2 2 November 1972 OLD BUSINESS The United States Naval Home, Twenty-fourth and Gray's Ferry Avenue, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Navy Department has indicated its intention to phase out the U.S. Naval Home in Philadelphia over the next four years and to move this installation to a new location in the South. As a result of interest by both the City Planning Commission and the Philadelphia Historical Commission in this complex, Dr. Tinkcom and several members of the Planning Commission staff were invited to view the buildings. It was the consensus of Dr. Tinkcom and Mr. Childe that the existing buildings are in excellent condition and that they should be retained and continue to be used. It was suggested by Mr. Melligan of the National Park Service that letters be sent to Senators
to view the buildings. It was the consensus of Dr. Tinkcom and Mr. Childe that the existing buildings are in excellent condition and that they should be retained and continue to be used. It was suggested by Mr. Melligan of the National Park Service that letters be sent to Senators Scott and Schweiker and to the Chairman of the Senate's Armed Services Committee reminding the federal government of the Commission's concern for the Naval Home and proposing that the property be retained as a Naval installation. Smaller regional facilities would much better serve the residents of the Home than on large headquarters especially since it might mean moving the elderly far from relatives and friends. The City Representative's Office should also be contacted noting that the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London, a similar institution, has long been a successful tourist attraction in that country and that the Naval Home might be similarly developed. Fort Mifflin, Penrose Ferry Road, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. A carbon of Nicholas Biddle Jr.'s letter to Robert Alotta, President of the Shackamaxon Society, was sent to the Historical Commission. This expressed Mr. Biddle's concern over the fact that the Artillery Shed at Fort Mifflin has not yet been restored although $2000.00 had been made available for this purpose. This inactivity could result in the loss of additional money for the fort's restoration and only immediate action by Mr. Alotta's group would ensure the future acquisition of funds. Dr. Haas agreed to telephone Robert Alotta in an effort to get matters at the fort moving again. Cannonball Farm, Penrose Ferry Road, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The City Planning Commission has been asked to state its position with regard to the moving of the Cannonball Farm house from the Water Department complex to Fort Mifflin because of the work to be done in the near future. A statement, recommending that the Philadelphia Historical Commission be consulted before any definite site for the house's relocation is agreed upon, will be sent to Mr. Childs. It was suggested by Dr. Haas that the National Park Service be consulted before any final decision is reached. 301 Pine Street, Edward Pinkowski. A report was made to the Commission on the approval of the Bill before Congress providing $552,000 for the complete restoration of the Kosciuszko house, the furnishing of the interior rooms, and the preservation of memorabilia therein. It was
before any final decision is reached. 301 Pine Street, Edward Pinkowski. A report was made to the Commission on the approval of the Bill before Congress providing $552,000 for the complete restoration of the Kosciuszko house, the furnishing of the interior rooms, and the preservation of memorabilia therein. It was noted also that $83,000 a year will be encumbered each year for the maintenance of this memorial to General Kosciuszko for 5.9 men years. Mr. Pinkowski thanked the members of the Historical Commission for their support in this successful endeavor. MINUTES 3 2 November 1972 NEW BUSINESS Due to the vacancy on the Historical Commission Board, caused by the death of Richmond P. Miller, Dr. Hass proposed the names of Mrs. Anna Wade and Mrs. James C. Drumhish as possible replacements. With the approval of the board members Dr. Hass agreed to submit these two names to Mr. Weinberg, City Solicitor, and also to confer with Mr. Weinberg concerning the enlargement of the Historical Commission from the present six to eight members. A motion was made to approve Dr. Hass' suggestion. It was seconded and unanimously carried. 135 Elfreth's Alley, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. As a result of the Architectural Committee's approval of the introduction of a glass window into a cartway opening on Elfreth's Alley, now closed by a wooden door, protests have been received from the residents of the Alley as well as from the Elfreth's Alley Association. Dr. Tinkcom noted that the cartway is now part of a first floor room in what is to be used as an indoor garden. Since the alley would have been open originally, any closing is unhistorical and since the present proposal does not alter the facade to the fabric or the facade, the Committee voted to reaffirm its previous decision to allow the opening to be glazed. Architectural Workshop, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. As a result of an owner's inability to hire an architect to prepare drawings for the historically certified building at 835 South Second Street, Dr. Tinkcom conferred with Dr. Burnette about the possibility of the Architects' Workshop providing aid to persons in such a situation. Arrangements were made to have a set of drawings prepared and submitted to the Architectural Committee for review. Dr. Burnette also proposed to publish in the American Institute of Architects' Bulletin a note of the Historical Commission's occasional need for
Architects' Workshop providing aid to persons in such a situation. Arrangements were made to have a set of drawings prepared and submitted to the Architectural Committee for review. Dr. Burnette also proposed to publish in the American Institute of Architects' Bulletin a note of the Historical Commission's occasional need for free architectural services. At the suggestion of Dr. Tinkcom it was agreed that letters be sent to both Dr. Burnette and Grey Smith of the Architects' Workshop thanking them for this assistance. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski Secretary