MINUTES OF THE 203rd STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1 April 1976 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Presente: F. Otto Haas, Chairman Mrs. James G. Crumlish, Jr. Janet S. Klein Edward Pinkowski Barbara Lipton, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission David Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patrizia Riciankowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 4 March 1976, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Commission for 17 March 1976, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission, was received and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. The staff had no recommendations to make at this time. Report on Historical Commission Staff Activities, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler's Report for the month of March was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Dr. Tyler in his report noted that through the efforts of Commissioner Silver and Michael Silver of the City Solicitor's Office the Hayland Paneling has found a home at the Philadelphia College of Art in their Haviland building. The Commission is grateful to Commissioner Silver and Mr. Silver for their success in preserving the Paneling. OLD BUSINESS There were no matters to be discussed under this heading. MINUTES 2 1 April 1976 NEW BUSINESS Mikveh Israel Cemetery, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler reported that the Commission staff and the National Park Service staff had been approached by a representative of the Hays Salomon Lodge with a proposal calling for the demolition of the existing wall and the erection of a wrought iron fence around the Mikveh Israel Cemetery. Although the date of the existing wall is now known, in 1975 it was created around the cemetery after the wood fence had been removed. This establishes the existence of a brick wall in the 1750's even if not the existing one. In view of this evidence, an agreement was reached to have the existing wall cleaned and retained and calling for the installation of either a brick or article railing. After some discussion, the Commission agreed to allow Dr. Tyler to prepare a building permit application in conformity with the decision reached
view of this evidence, an agreement was reached to have the existing wall cleaned and retained and calling for the installation of either a brick or article railing. After some discussion, the Commission agreed to allow Dr. Tyler to prepare a building permit application in conformity with the decision reached by the National Park Service and Historical Commission staff representatives after examining the existing walls. Portico Row, Richard Tyler, Historian. As the result of a recent fire, two buildings situated at 200-08 Spruce Street, part of Portico Row, suffered extensive damage. Owing to the importance of these buildings, a part of one of the most distinguished rows of houses in the City, the Historical Commission expressed its concern for the preservation of the entire massing of the buildings, including the rears, and directed the Historian to notify the owner of the Commission's position in this matter. It is the opinion of the Commission that a full and accurate restoration of the entire structure be undertaken by the developer provided that it does not cause a hardship. 121-23 Market Street, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Commission members were informed of the demolition of the 100 block of Market Street, currently underway, by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the construction of an Interstate 95 ramp connecting center city to Penn's Landing. The cast iron fronts on the buildings at 121-23 Market Street are being salvaged and stored by the Fairmount Park Commission with the hope that they can be reused elsewhere in the Old City area. The Trust, however, if placed in the ownership of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission cannot be sold or given away. At the discretion of the State Museum Commission, the Historical Commission is being asked to accept title to the cast iron facades directly from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. After some discussion, David Rosenblum recommended that the Department of Public Property be asked to acquire title to the MINUTES 3 1 April 1976 Fronte. The Commission members agreed and asked Dr. Tyler to report this proposal to the State. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiokowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman /pas