DRAFT THE MINUTES OF THE 106th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 26 July, 1966 Present were: Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Mr. Harry A. Batten Mr. Oscar Goodstein, representing Commissioner Charles G. Day Mr. Richmond P. Miller Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions properly presented, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Meeting held on 28 June 1966 were approved as circulated. REPORTS Due to the absence of Dr. Nichols, there was no report from the Historic Values Committee. Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. This report was approved and ordered to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Action taken on this report included a directive that a letter be written to Mayor Tate, in reply to one from him on the Peale House, 8100 Brandford Avenue, to say that since the Historical Commission had certified this property as worthy of preservation in 1960, it can now do nothing except to delay approval of any application for a demolition permit for a period of six months. It was also resolved that a letter be written to the president of the Shell Oil Company, Richard C. McCurdy (with a carbon copy to the Mayor and to William J. McCloin, District Manager) calling his attention to the fact that 8100, 8110 and 8112 are historically certified and that the Historical Commission declares them worthy of preservation. This was approved. With regard to the moving with Federal funds available for this purpose buildings along the route of the Expressway, it was recommended that Dr. Tinkcom list for consideration at least six certified buildings. Dr. Tinkcom was also directed to write to Commissioner Crawford in reference to the situation at Fort Mifflin, stating that the Commission is disturbed at current reports of vandalism at this nationally important historical site. It was further directed that letters be written to Messrs. Smart and Whaley of the EVENING BULLETIN, commenting favorably on the series on historic houses now appearing in the SUNDAY BULLETIN. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top left corner: "DRAFT" written in script Top left margin: illegible handwritten notation/initials] THE MINUTES continued -2- 7.26.66 OLD BUSINESS 5409 Germantown Avenue. The Chairman rehearsed the background
BULLETIN, commenting favorably on the series on historic houses now appearing in the SUNDAY BULLETIN. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top left corner: "DRAFT" written in script Top left margin: illegible handwritten notation/initials] THE MINUTES continued -2- 7.26.66 OLD BUSINESS 5409 Germantown Avenue. The Chairman rehearsed the background of the contro- versy involving the preservation of this certified building erected in 1767, and presently owned by St. Luke's Church. The sense of the meeting was that this parish should be encouraged to assume its responsi- bility to the Germantown community by maintaining and using this ancient structure. Action is particularly important at this time because of the plans for the renewal of the central Germantown area and because the National Park Service has expressed a reluctance to implement the designation of Germantown Avenue as a national historic site if any more of the old buildings which give this area its character are removed. (The loss of the Naglee house, 4518 Germantown Avenue, in April of 1965 originally brought their purpose to a halt.) It was recommended that a letter be sent to Judge Saylor, President of the Germantown Historical Society, asking for his support. NEW BUSINESS The Next Stated Meeting. It was resolved that this be scheduled at the call of the Chairman. There being no further business, it was resolved that the meeting be adjourned at 4:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted Grant M. Simon, F.A.I.A. Chairman, for the Commission GMS:css