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Minutes

Historical Commission — Nov 27, 1956

Philadelphia Historical CommissionNov 27, 1956
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Properties mentioned in this record

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Decisions in this meeting

People mentioned

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  • Brumbaugh
  • Charles E. Peterson
  • Dr. G. H. Bechtold
  • Dr. Tinkcom
  • Frank Wills
  • George I. Lovatt, Jr.
  • Grant M. Simon
  • John Sweet
  • Judge Saylor
  • R. Norris Williams II
  • Regal-buto
  • Stephen Girard
  • Walter M. Benner
  • Widdop

Properties mentioned

  • 316 South Sixth Street
  • Castor House, 5701 Tacony Street, Frankford
  • Front Street (Delaware Expressway route)
  • German Lutheran Schoolhouse, north side of Cherry Street between Third and Fourth
  • Merchants' Hotel, 40-46 North Fourth Street
  • Shoomac Park
  • Stenton Mansion
  • The Gentilhommiere

Organizations mentioned

Historical Commission · Nov 27 1956 · §0

December 18, 1956 A meeting of the Advisory Commission on Historic Building was held on November 27, 1956 in Room 813, City Hall Annex. The following members were present: Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. R.Norris Williams II Also present was: Mr. George I. Lovatt, Jr., City Architect. The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Expenses: The Chairman reported that he had submitted a bill for secretarial services. Photographs: Mr. Williams was authorized to engage his photographer to make small negatives and prints for the cost of materials. It was suggested that photographer Widdop of the Department of Public Property would make duplicate prints as required. Delaware Expressway: The City Planning Commission was reported to be making further studies on the Front Street route; the exact location not yet determined. It has been recommended by historical groups that the structures fronting on the west side be spared. Shoomac Park: A sub-committee of the Fairmount Park Commission has recommended a highway layout at Shoomac Park which would result in the destruction of that house, Judge Saylor opposing. It was recommended that this Commission get an opinion from the City Solicitor regarding its responsibilities as to City-owned buildings. 316 South Sixth Street: Zoning hearings have been held with many opposed to the dividing of this house (3-1/2 stories, brick, southeast corner of Cypress and Sixth) into six apartments. It was thought that the zoning petition will not be granted. - 1 - [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: handwritten page number "292" in ink] Merchants' Hotel: It was reported that this large brick structure at 40-46 North Fourth Street (said to be valued at $120,000) will be demolished in favor of a parking lot. Its use as a hotel has been suggested by Rotarian Frank Wills. Stenton Mansion: It is understood that a heating plant has been proposed for this house. No objections were seen as long as the installation was carefully planned and supervised by the architect, Mr. Brumbaugh. Castor House (5701 Tacony Street, Frankford): A very incomplete inventory form on this house was submitted by Walter M. Benner, President of the Historical Society of Frankford. The oldest part is said to have been built by a Swedish settler. Its future is uncertain. German Lutheran Schoolhouse: Dr. G. H. Bechtold has reported that there are remains

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Historical Commission · Nov 27 1956 · §1

very incomplete inventory form on this house was submitted by Walter M. Benner, President of the Historical Society of Frankford. The oldest part is said to have been built by a Swedish settler. Its future is uncertain. German Lutheran Schoolhouse: Dr. G. H. Bechtold has reported that there are remains of the old schoolhouse and possibly of the 18th century church on the north side of Cherry Street between Third and Fourth. Name of Commission: It has been recommended that the name of the Commission be changed to "The Philadelphia Historical Commission" by ordinance. Budget: The request for $17,835 made in a letter to Mr. Regal-buto November 2, 1956 seems likely to bring an appropriation. The request for $22,000 to restore the head house of the Second Street Market is not expected to be successful at this time. Society Hill Inventory: It was reported that Dr. Tinkcom has prepared a revised list of buildings not based on historical research. The difficulty of collecting historical and title data was discussed. The Gentilhommiere: The Department of Welfare and Recreation is having this house (the country retreat of Stephen Girard) remodelled according to plans by John Sweet, architect. Mr. Lovatt gave assurance that no historical values were being lost. A partial set of prints was exhibited. Next Meeting The date of the next meeting was established as Tuesday, December 18th. The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Charles E. Peterson, Secretary - 2 - [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: "Pag . . . [illegible]" appears at the top left margin of the page in handwriting.]

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