MINUTES OF THE 179th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 7 June 1973 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Charles H. Tyson, Vice Chairman Mrs. James C. Crumlich, Jr. Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Finkovski John Taxin William A. Costello, Commissioner, Department of Public Property James L. Fergusen, Deputy Director, Department of Finances Mr. Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Barbara Vigocki, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patricia Sicmietowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Tom Erickson, City Solicitor's Office Also: John Hlkus, Executive Director of the City Planning Commission, concerning the Friends Hospital. Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 7 May 1973, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 15 May 1973 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The following buildings were approved for certification: Ravenhill Academy, 3120 Schoolhouse Lane Woman's Homeopathic Annex Hospital, 20th and Susquehanna Rittenhouse Village - 206-08; 209; 210 (including barn) Lincoln Drive 232 Katress Street South Sixteenth Street, Locust to Spruce, both sides 245-47; 249-51-53-55 and 250-52-54-56-58-60; 261. Commission Activities, Report on, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom reported the receipt of a check in the amount of $500.00 from the Morris Foundation. The money will be used to pay a student who will prepare the text of a booklist for publication listing all these MINUTES 2 7 June 1973 REPORTS (Cont'd) buildings still standing in Philadelphia that were here on or before July 4, 1776 It was agreed that the student would be paid at the rate of $2.00 an hour and that a thank you letter be sent to Mr. Woodward for his generous contribution to this project. Dr. Finlcam's Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS 1974 Fiscal Operating Budget, Patricia Siemiatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The Commission's Fiscal 1974 Operating Budget, a copy of which was circulated with the May Minutes, has been approved and will become effective July 2, 1973. Camen Ball house, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. The Historical Commission has been asked by
Operating Budget, Patricia Siemiatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. The Commission's Fiscal 1974 Operating Budget, a copy of which was circulated with the May Minutes, has been approved and will become effective July 2, 1973. Camen Ball house, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. The Historical Commission has been asked by Commissioner Guarino for some additional time to arrange with the Army Corps of Engineers for the relocation of the Camen Ball house on their land. Commissioner Guarino believes that the Corps will agree to this course of action. Dr. Haas, at this time, reported the receipt of a letter from Chester Brooks, Director of the National Park Service, stating that that agency could not Ft. Mifflin to the National Park system now. The Chairman also noted that James Biddle suggested that the National Trust might consider acquisition of the Fort for the Trust. It was agreed that the Chairman should discuss these proposals with Commissioner Crawford. The Board voted to allow the extension of time as requested by Commissioner Guarino and to look into all proposals concerning Fort Mifflin and Camen Ball farm. Mariner's Theatre, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Commission was asked by Dr. Tinkcom, at the request of Mrs. Joseph Sagul of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, to write to Ureace Abraham, Director of the Authority, expressing concern for the unusually long delay in having this theatre marketed and restored. The building, being vacant for a number of years, is in a deplorable state at this time suffering from the damage caused by weather and vandals. Civic Center Exhibition, Bicentennial Philadelphia, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. The Chairman reported the Civic Center's lack of interest in the exhibition of the material salvaged from a number of old Philadelphia houses and previously on display at the First Bank. Miss Liggett suggested using the exhibit in a public space possibly in development with a building as part of a brick wall complex. It OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd) was Dr. Tinkcom's opinion that the Carpenters' Company might have an interest in such an exhibit. This has been discussed informally with Mr. John Harbeson. NEW BUSINESS The Friends' Hospital. Mr. John Nittus, Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Mr. Nittus appeared before the Historical Commission to discuss the proposal of the Friends' Hospital to sell a portion of their grounds for development possibly as a shopping center. (The proceeds from this
Harbeson. NEW BUSINESS The Friends' Hospital. Mr. John Nittus, Executive Director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Mr. Nittus appeared before the Historical Commission to discuss the proposal of the Friends' Hospital to sell a portion of their grounds for development possibly as a shopping center. (The proceeds from this sale would be used for the construction of a new hospital building.) It is the Planning Commission's opinion, however, that such a proposal would only serve to aggravate existing traffic problems in this area. It was the opinion of the Board that the relocation of the Hospital would be a sad loss to the City for both the environmental and historical reasons. If necessary, the Board would consider allowing the development of a high rise apartment structure on the Roosevelt Boulevard frontage if the Strickland building were preserved and a vista to this building retained and all parking screened from public view. The Commission would permit the demolition of the later structures as well as the demolition of any additions to the original building. All trees and shrubbery should remain wherever possible. The Sources: Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. As a result of several telephone calls, the staff finally received a full set of drawings, consisting of elevation and plans and underpins plans, for alterations to the Sources Building. A schematic drawing submitted to the Architectural Committee several months ago had received the Committee's approval. It is obvious, however, from the new plans that a good deal more work is being done than had been presented for review. Of particular concern is the removal of the gates from the exterior of the structure. Dr. Tinkcom suggested that these might be given to the Art Museum if Evan Turner agrees. The Board recommended that Dr. Tinkcom pursue this line of action. The course to be taken as regards the illegal work underway at the site was left in the hands of the Historian. Centennial Guard Box. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Board enthusiastically supported the relocation of this guard box to the site in front of the Art Museum. Restoration Proposals for the Bicentennial. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Board reviewed a list of properties proposed for restoration by the Bicentennial Planning Group and agreed to endorse them. Funds for the restoration will be available from the federal government on a matching
in front of the Art Museum. Restoration Proposals for the Bicentennial. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The Board reviewed a list of properties proposed for restoration by the Bicentennial Planning Group and agreed to endorse them. Funds for the restoration will be available from the federal government on a matching basis. MINUTES 4 7 June 3:?73 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) Date of the Commission's next Stated Meeting, Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. The Board agreed to cancel the July meeting and meet next on August 2, 1973. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Signicnikowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman