THE 123d STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 27 February 1968 Present were: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman Mr. Richmond P. Miller Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Commissioner William A. Costello, Department of Public Property Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Mr. Oscar Goodstein, Administrative Assistant to Mr. Costello Isador Kranzel, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the result of Motions properly presented, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Meeting held 30 January 1968 were approved as circulated. REPORTS The Historical Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman asked to have the following letter from the President of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society read into the Minutes. This was approved: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman Philadelphia Historical Commission 1313 City Hall Annex Philadelphia, Penn 19107 Dear Roy: It was with great gratification that I read your letter of February 6th to our Trustees at their monthly Board meeting today. Happily, we have pictures of the three PSFS buildings described in your letter as having been certified by the Philadelphia Historical Commission as worthy of preservation, and these were put on easels in our Board Room so that the Trustees could get a better idea of their appearance and design. The Board of Trustees has asked me to express its deep appreciation of the sentiment expressed in your letter and for the honor which your Commission has conferred on PSFS in certifying the Philadelphia Saving Fund Building as worthy of preservation. In addition, I would like to convey to you my personal appreciation for your Commission's recognition of what I believe to be one of the outstanding contributions to the skyline of Philadelphia. Since it was completed some eighteen years before I came to PSFS, I feel I can say this without appearing to be completely devoid of objectivity! Sincerely, //S// Stew (R. Stewart Rauch, Jr.) MORE [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: Cursive handwritten signature/initials (appears to be "Bill" or similar)] The Minutes 2.27.68 Page 2 REPORTS • The Historical Values Committee report, continued The Head House, 2nd & Pine Streets - the Custodian, Captain Cavanaugh. It was approved that the following be read into the Minutes: ' The Committee was distressed to learn that Captain Cavanaugh, who has been custodian of the Head House since its restoration, may no
Values Committee report, continued The Head House, 2nd & Pine Streets - the Custodian, Captain Cavanaugh. It was approved that the following be read into the Minutes: ' The Committee was distressed to learn that Captain Cavanaugh, who has been custodian of the Head House since its restoration, may no longer be employed there. In view of the problems of vandalism throughout the city and taking into consideration the cost to the city of the fine restoration done on the Head House and the New Market, the Commission regrets any decision to leave this building unguarded. It might also be pointed out that the relations between Captain Cavanaugh and the Society Hill community have been excellent. Commissioner Costello stated that he is in favor of keeping the present custodian. The Welsh Society's tablet to be unveiled 29 February 1968. It was approved that the following statement be read into the Minutes: In accordance with established procedure the text of the tablet to be affixed to the south side of the east portal of City Hall by the Welsh Society should have been submitted to this committee for review. Through some error this was not done and neither this committee nor the Commission can therefore assume responsibility for the state- ments in the aforesaid tablet. The Report of the Historical Values was approved. The Chairman of the Commission directed that it be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. In his absence, the secretary reported that this committee meeting had been postponed from 22 February, a legal holiday, to 29 February, and that there would be, therefore, two reports to present at the next Stated Meeting, 26 March 1968. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. In the discussion of the Thomas Eakins House, 1729 Mt. Vernon Street, the Commissioner said that parking facilities are being proposed for Mt. Vernon Street. He will review these carefully, keeping in mind the position of this building which has been declared a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service as well as having been certified as worthy of preservation by the Historical Commission. Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved, no action on it being required, and it was directed to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS The Log House, SW corner, 16th & Race Streets. The Chairman asked Mr.
been certified as worthy of preservation by the Historical Commission. Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved, no action on it being required, and it was directed to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS The Log House, SW corner, 16th & Race Streets. The Chairman asked Mr. Miller to comment on the status of this structure. Mr. Miller reviewed the interest shown by Mr. Frank H. Wheaton, Jr., of Millville, New Jersey. Dr. Tinkcom reported on conversations with Mrs. Henry Patterson, who hopes to be able to raise funds to have the building moved to 4th & Arch Streets where it can be used as a children's museum. No action by the Historical Commission is required at this time. The Minutes 2.27.68 Page 3 OLD BUSINESS continued 3905 Spruce Street. It was reported that the application for the demo- lition of this certified building has been withdrawn by the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania NEW BUSINESS Dr. Nichols welcomed Councilman Kelly to the Commission and expressed his pleasure in Mr. Kelly's appointment as the Historical Com- mission's representative in City Council. Musical Fund Hall, 808 Locust Street. The Musical Fund Society has cancelled its interest in the restoration of this Hall. That being the case, the Historical Commission approved the Redevelop- ment Authority's request to demolish the later addition at the western end of the building in order to provide space for a garden. Revision of the Historical Commission's Ordinance to extend the time limit during which the Commission may withhold a demolition permit. Since the bill introduced by Mrs. Varallo expired at the end of 1967 Council, the advisability of reintroducing the proposal was discussed. It was approved that copies of the draft and pertinent correspondence be sent to Mr. Kelly, who agreed to study them. Further discussion of this matter was postponed until the next Stated Meeting. There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 4:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted Roy Franklin Nichols Chairman for the Commission RFN:mrm