THE MINUTES OF THE 125th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 June 1974 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman Mrs. James C. Crumish, Jr. Mrs. Hal. John D. Kelly, Jr. Councilman at Large Edward Pinkowski Robert Silver, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Joseph Menton, Deputy Director of Finance Henry J. Magaziner, A. I. A., Architectural Adviser to the Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Kasinowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman David Rosentblum, Assistant City Solicitor Edward Mitinger, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. PRESENTATION of gift to Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom. The Philadelphia Historical Commission Board voted to present a gift to Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, in recognition of her retirement as the Commission's Historian, a first edition High Bride, dated 1799, of Cooke's Building at the Southeast corner of Third and Market Streets. Dr. Tinkcom graciously accepted the gift and thanked the Commission and its staff. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 25 April 1974, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 11 May 1974 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. [Developments subsequent to the 11 May 1974 meeting of the Architectural Committee, led to a reevaluation of the matter concerning the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and is discussed under Old Business] Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. A request for the certification of a number of buildings in the Spring Garden Area was brought before the Board for review. Mr. Tyler reported the Spring Garden Civic Association's submission of adequate data including photographs, maps, chains of title, etc. At the request of Mr. Finkowski, the Board agreed to table the matter until the next meeting. Mr. Pinkowski and Mr. Tyler were directed to make a more detailed study of the area, especially of the buildings along Fairmount Avenue, and submit their report at the August meeting. Report of the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff for May 1974. Richard Tyler, Historian. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: handwritten number "95" Top left corner: handwritten "4" followed by what appears to be initials] MINUTES REPORTS (Cont'd) OLD BUSINESS St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Richard Tyler, Historian: The Chairman reported to the Historical Commission members the inability of
for May 1974. Richard Tyler, Historian. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: handwritten number "95" Top left corner: handwritten "4" followed by what appears to be initials] MINUTES REPORTS (Cont'd) OLD BUSINESS St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Richard Tyler, Historian: The Chairman reported to the Historical Commission members the inability of the Commission to settle its problems with the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. The subsequent agreement of the staff and the Board to desecify the church. The motion was taken to avoid the involvement in a court case which the Commission might lose. At the suggestion of Henry Magaziner, the Historic American Buildings Survey will be asked to prepare a set of measured drawings for the building before it is unsuitably altered. Also under discussion at this time was the problem of serving adequate notice to the owners of historically certified buildings. It was agreed that certified letters, with return receipt requested, be sent to institutions, companies, churches, or whoever bears may be entitled ownership of a building. Finally, neighborhood and civic associations will be required to show a proof of public interest before a large number of buildings are reviewed for certification at the association's request. John Wanamaker's Philadelphia Store, Richard Tyler, Historian: The proposal for the certification of John Wanamaker's Philadelphia Store submitted to the Store's management was approved by the Commission with the amendments stipulated by the Store. The formal certification of the Store reads: The certification of the John Wanamaker, Philadelphia Store by the Philadelphia Historical Commission acknowledges the significance of the structure to the architecture, commercial and social history of the city. This certification includes only the exterior of the building, the Grand Court and the Crystal Tea Room. The Commission, of course, recognizes that changes in retail practices may from time to time necessitate alterations in the particular arrangement of the certified portions of the interior and seeks only the preservation of the basic structural configurations and ornamentation of those parts of the store. Similarly, the Commission may later modifications to the exterior which, of necessity, must be made with materials now available. In the event of such modifications, the Philadelphia Historical Commission asks that any proposed alterations be compatible with the original design of Daniel Badgam and that the Commission be consulted while the desired changes are being planned. NEW BUSINESS Philadelphia Historical Commission Jurisdiction when Interior Alterations Affect Exteriors, Richard Tyler, Historian:
the event of such modifications, the Philadelphia Historical Commission asks that any proposed alterations be compatible with the original design of Daniel Badgam and that the Commission be consulted while the desired changes are being planned. NEW BUSINESS Philadelphia Historical Commission Jurisdiction when Interior Alterations Affect Exteriors, Richard Tyler, Historian: The policy of Commission control over the interiors of historically certified buildings was reviewed by the Board at the request of the staff. It was agreed that the Commission exercises its jurisdiction over interiors of buildings open to the public. MINUTES 3 6 June 1974 REPORTS (Continued) Mr. Tyler reported the City's interest in the Van Rensselaer Mansion and the proposed alternatives to convert this residence into a commercial use by DESIGN RESEARCH. Mr. Zecos of the Mayor's Office questioned the possibility of the City's acquiring the building. It was the opinion of the Board that such acquisition would be satisfactory. Requests for Data on Certification Nominations, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Commission, at the request of Mr. Tyler, agreed to require the submission of substantial data--sheets of title, photographs, name of present owner--before considering a building for certification. Penn Treaty Park, Richard Tyler, Historian. At the request of George Baker, the Historical Commission was asked to consider approving the erection of a plaque to erect a plaque commemorating the traditional site of the signing of Penn's treaty with the Indians. Mr. Tyler reported the opposition of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to Mr. Baker's proposal. After Mr. Tyler's opinion, it was agreed to suggest to Mr. Baker the erection of a marker by his group, subject City approval. If such an arrangement is satisfactory, the Commission agreed to back it up in a letter. However, a letter of support to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission cannot be written until documentary evidence is submitted for review. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Sigmitowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman PAS/men