2 MINUTES OF THE 120th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 28 November 1967 Present were: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman Mr. Richmond P. Miller Mr. John Taxin Mr. Oscar Goodstein, representing Commissioner Costello Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions properly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 31 October 1967 were approved as circulated. REPORTS The Historical Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. Dr. Nichols said that he had no report. The Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. In Mr. Trautwein's absence, the secretary was asked to read his report. Action required on this was the recommendation that Mrs. Maurer be authorized to visit all sites, at least once a week, where restoration is in progress and to report to the Architectural Committee on conditions there. When departure from approved plans is observed, this will be called to the owner's attention. Letters from Redevelopment Authority, the Old Philadelphia Development Corp., as well as from the Historical Commission may be sent to the owner if necessary. This was approved. Mr. Trautwein's report was ordered to be filed. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Action required on this report: A letter to Mr. A. A. Roberts, President of the Reliance Assurance Company, Ltd., with regard to fire insurance surveys this company holds which may be discarded. It was resolved that Mr. Roberts be asked to offer these to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. This was approved. Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved with commendation and directed to be filed with official copies of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS The Hortense Ferne Mural, received 3 November 1967. It was directed that a letter be sent to the Chairman of the Art Commission thanking him for bringing this gift to the Historical Commission's attention and reporting that the mural is hanging in the Commission's office. A copy of this letter shall be sent to the Commissioner of Public Property, Mr. William A. Costello. The Log House, Friends' Select School, corner of 16th and Race Streets. It was resolved that a letter be written to Mr. David C. Elkington, Clerk of the Representative Meeting, the Society of Friends, asking him to consider moving this structure to Arch Street Meeting grounds to serve as a caretaker's house. This was approved. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top
16th and Race Streets. It was resolved that a letter be written to Mr. David C. Elkington, Clerk of the Representative Meeting, the Society of Friends, asking him to consider moving this structure to Arch Street Meeting grounds to serve as a caretaker's house. This was approved. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "R-71/" in cursive handwriting] The Minutes 11.28.67 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS continued Department of Licenses and Inspections. No reply has been received to the letter Dr. Nichols wrote to Commissioner Cavanaugh a month ago. Mr. Goodstein will inquire into this. Benjamin Rush House, Red Lion and Academy Roads. Mr. Taxin proposed that the Managing Director's Office be asked whether money to purchase the property is in hand before he talks with Mr. Max Korman. It was also decided that Mr. Goodstein ask the Department of Recreation how matters stood with Commissioner Crawford and the psychiatrists at Byberry. It was resolved that a report be sent to Commissioner Costello after Mr. Taxin reports his conversation with Mr. Korman. This was approved. NEW BUSINESS The Crosstown Expressway. In view of comments in the press, it was resolved that a letter be sent to Mayor Tate, requesting his support for the Commission's proposal that the houses on the west side of S. Front Street, between Bainbridge and Kenilworth Streets, not be demolished until it is determined that the Crosstown Expressway will indeed be built. These are among the best of Philadelphia's remaining eighteenth-century structures. This was approved. Fairmount Park guard houses. It was resolved that a letter be sent to the President of Fairmount Park, Mr. McCloskey, and to Mr. Schick, with a copy to Mr. Bacon, asking that the remaining guard houses, stemming from the Centennial era, be maintained in view of the pend- ing Bicentennial. This was approved. The date of the next Stated Meeting. It was resolved that this be held on 30 January 1968. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned with the recommendation that the draft of the Minutes be sent to the absent Members of the Commission for their signature indicating acceptance of the actions taken by those present. This was approved. Respectfully submitted, Roy Franklin Nichols Chairman for the Commission RFN:mrm CC: George K. Trautwein; Charles R. Tyson; R. Norris Williams, II The Hon. Mary A. Varallo, Councilman-at-Large; Mr. James L. Ferguson