Historical Commission — Oct 29, 1963

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE SEVENTY-SIXTH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 29 October, 1963 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Grant H. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Oscar Goodstein, representing Commissioner Charles G. Day Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Miss Constance F. Smith, Clerk ·Mr. William L. Rafsky, Executive Vice-President, OPDC Mrs. C. Jared Ingersoll, Chairman, Historic Houses Committee, OPDC Mr. Arnold Nicholson Mr. Joseph B. Townsend, Jr., consulting architect, OPDC Mrs. Henry M. Watts, Jr., member, Historic Houses Committee, OPDC Mr. David Albright, Guest of the Commission THE MINUTES; 24 September, 1963 were approved as circulated. REPORTS Historic Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. This report was approved as read and ordered to be filed with the official Minutes. Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. This report was approved and ordered to be filed with the official Minutes of this Meeting. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved as read and ordered to be filed with the Minutes. Dr. Tinkcom was directed to proceed with the proposal to print the criteria; Requirements for Submission; and Architectural features in a pamphlet for distribution. Dr. Nichols seconded the comments made about the exhibit on the Second Street Market at the Annual Meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, held in Washington earlier this month. The Chairman drew attention to the fact that the restoration of the Head House was the Commission's first assignment from Mayor Dilworth. THE MINUTES -2- October 29, 1963 NEW BUSINESS The Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. The Chairman of the Historical Commission turned the Stated Meeting over to Mr. Rafsky. Mr. Rafsky introduced Mrs. Ingersoll, Chairman of the Historic Houses Committee and other members of his delegation and stated that the OPDC has a concern to see that the hundreds of certified buildings in Unit II. are correctly restored. The Old Philadelphia Development Corporation has reviewed fifty- eight houses to be sold to qualified restorers and will impose the following requirements: 1. The restorers will be under contract with the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation and will put up $500.00 in token of their good faith. 2. They-must engage the services of a qualified architect and a qualified contractor. 3. The architect must be in conference with Mr. Lloyd of

following requirements: 1. The restorers will be under contract with the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation and will put up $500.00 in token of their good faith. 2. They-must engage the services of a qualified architect and a qualified contractor. 3. The architect must be in conference with Mr. Lloyd of the Redevelopment Authority and with the Historical Commission. 4. The Old Philadelphia Development Corporation, the Redevelopment Authority and the Philadelphia Historical Commission will review the plans. 5. The restoration must conform to the plans. 6. Not only the Redevelopment Authority's architect but that of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation will check on the work and it is hoped that the Historical Commission will also check to be sure the best possible restoration has been achieved. Mr. Williams moved that the Commission express its approval in principal but presented that there be an exchange of letters between the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation and the Philadelphia Historical Commission outlining the matter discussed and the conclusions reached. This was approved. Mr. Simon, mentioning some larger buildings under consideration in the area, asked if the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation could assist in finding ways to preserve them. Mr. Rafsky thought not, partly because of the limits on the jurisdiction of his agency: Spring Garden to South Street; Delaware River to Sixteenth Street. The Walnut Street Theatre was discussed briefly. Mr. Nicholson showed one of the Commission's plaques with a date affixed under the number, saying he had explored with the manufacturer the feasibility of having the date of the house placed on each plaque issued. This can be done for two dollars more than the present cost. The Commission was asked to consider the project. THE MINUTES -3- October 29, 1963 NEW BUSINESS continued The brochure proposed by the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation was discussed, with particular reference to the Robbins' drawings. Mr. Nicholson stated that Miss Penelope Hartshorne of the National Park Service had agreed to simplify these if it were necessary for publication and will draw all the illustrations contained in the brochure. There being no further business, the Chairman thanked the delegation from the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation for appearing before the Historical Commission and adjourned the Meeting at a quarter to five. Respectfully submitted &c...