THE SIXTEENTH MEETING of the PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION, Held on October 29th, 1957 at 3:30 P.M., in Room 813, City Hall Annex. The following Members were present: Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Charles.E. Peterson Also present were: Mrs. A. A. Gilchrist, Architectural Historian of the National Park Service Mr. John Gane, Architect for Wright, Andrade and Amenta Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Theresa V. Pulice, Executive Secretary The Meeting was called to order at 3:35 P. M. The Minutes of the last Meeting, held June 25th, were approved. Dr. Tinkcom submitted a report of historical research from July 1st to August 18th. This report was approved with the following comments: MEASURED DRAWINGS OF EIGHT HOUSES It was decided to substitute 217 Spruce Street in lieu of the Washington Square houses to be measured by Mr. Robbins. This is one of the houses on which the Commission previously had title searches made. TECHNICAL TERMS TO BE USED IN THE DESCRIPTION OF BLDGS: Dr. Tinkcom and Mrs. Gilchrist, who is working with Mr. Peterson at the National Park Service, will col- laborate on standardizing the Commission's procedure in the survey of buildings. PAMPHLETS ON THE OLD CITY: Dr. Tinkcom felt that this would be a good thing to think about doing in the future and possibly pro- vide for in the 1959 Budget There has been a wealth of general information found in the newspapers and insurance surveys which could be used to compile an unpretentious little guide book to the Old City. A pamphlet, something like that used by the Charleston Art Association, could be prepared. It was requested that Dr. Tinkcom make up a prospec- tus as to the kind of information that could be gathered together for this purpose. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Top left corner: "PH" with a line through it (appears to be a filing mark or initial) 2. Left margin, first section: checkmark "✓" before "MEASURED DRAWINGS OF EIGHT HOUSES" 3. Left margin, second section: checkmark "✓" before "PAMPHLETS ON THE OLD CITY:" 4. Bottom right of page: "6v24" (appears to be a page or document number) 5. Bottom left: circled "C" (possibly indicating document classification or marking)] - 2 - The Minutes October 29, 1958 Mr. Simon suggested that this might be included in the yearly report submitted to Councils. Mrs. Pulice was requested to find out whether or
to be a page or document number) 5. Bottom left: circled "C" (possibly indicating document classification or marking)] - 2 - The Minutes October 29, 1958 Mr. Simon suggested that this might be included in the yearly report submitted to Councils. Mrs. Pulice was requested to find out whether or not there is a limit to the size of a report of this kind A report of administrative activities from July 1st to October 21st was submitted to the Commission by Mrs. Pulice. This report was approved with this comment: ✓ The Commission was advised that the 1958 Budget has been reviewed by the Managing Director, but it has not yet gone into City Council. The Commission will be notified when it goes before City Council, so that a representative of the Commission will be present. ✓ REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY OF SOCIETY HILL At 4:00 P.M., Mr. John F. Gane, of Wright, Andrade and Amunta Architects, at present under contract with the Redevelopment Authority, came into the meeting to talk about the survey which is being conducted at present in the Society Hill area. Mr. Gane stated that the Architects are making a general block by block survey of approximately 300 buildings, roughly bounded by Front Street to Fifth and Walnut Street to South, for the purpose of determining the present use and to suggest a future use in the Society Hill area. This survey was started by making a general block survey in pictures. (Mr. Gane displayed a sample of this kind of survey, showing pictures of buildings pasted on white hard paper and giving a general description of the buildings.) They are now going into these buildings and obtaining photographs and rough floor sketches. With the sketches, a conditions review is made, e.g., whether trim has been replaced, how the upper floors are used, condition of through, back and party walls, kind of electricity, type of heating and how much of the original fabric exists. After the survey of 300 buildings is completed, the architects will select twenty buildings of which actual measured drawings will be made. The choice of the twenty buildings will be made at large; the block-by-block survey will be influenced by several things, such as the condition of the building, possible central use and historical value. It would also be desirable to have a row of about six or eight houses studied. The Redevelopment Authority
of the twenty buildings will be made at large; the block-by-block survey will be influenced by several things, such as the condition of the building, possible central use and historical value. It would also be desirable to have a row of about six or eight houses studied. The Redevelopment Authority would like to call on interested people, owners where possible, or developers, to discuss the possible use of these buildings. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: - Small checkmarks (✓) appear to the left of two bulleted sections - "over" appears centered at the bottom of the page] - 3 - The Minutes October 29, 1958 Mr. Simon stated that the interests and problems of this group and the Commission, are similar and the desirability of pooling information was expressed. This feeling was unanimous and Mr. Gano stated that the Redevelopment Authority would make available for photographing or copying, any information gathered by them. He will begin by sending the Commission a list of build- ings on which surveys are being made. HABS Survey: (Historic American Buildings Survey) Mr. Peterson stated that the National Park Service and the AIA had started a survey of Early American architecture in 1933 which continued only until Pearl Harbor. Last summer, a substantial sum was appropriated to renew this activity in the Eastern States... Mr. Peterson and Mrs. Gilchrist displayed some architectur- al drawings made by students. It was printed out that 100% rag paper and ink were used for permanency and the drawings were of a standardized size. The cost of a complete sheet is approximately $125.00. when made by students. National Inventory forms used in the listing of historic buildings were also displayed. The Commission has a supply of these forms on hand and hopes to be able to start work in the near future. SKYSCRAPER AT 4th & WILLING'S ALLEY: Mr. Peterson stated that he felt the Commission should oppose the erection of a skyscraper designed by Oscar Stonorov and proposed by the City Planning Commission for a site at 4th and Willing's Alley. It was the general feeling of the Commis- sion that a building of this kind would not be in character with the area. However, Mr. Simon stated that many of these proposed projects are not consummate, and felt that there was no immediate need for alarm in this instance. He was asked to prepare a statement on this for the consid-
building of this kind would not be in character with the area. However, Mr. Simon stated that many of these proposed projects are not consummate, and felt that there was no immediate need for alarm in this instance. He was asked to prepare a statement on this for the consid- eration of the Commission. THE GEORGE HOUSE: This house (on the SE cor of Drexel Road and City Line) was recommended by Judge Klein to be added to the list of certi- fied buildings. Judge Klein also submitted information on this house together with his recommendation. Dr. Tinkcom was asked to obtain photographs of the house. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P. M. Charles E. Peterson & Secretary [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Top left corner: small circled marking (appears to be an archival notation) 2. Left margin, multiple checkmarks (✓) adjacent to section headings: HABS Survey, SKYSCRAPER AT 4th & WILLING'S ALLEY, and THE GEORGE HOUSE 3. Handwritten annotation in parentheses next to "HABS Survey:" reads "(Historic American Buildings Survey)" (appears to be in cursive handwriting) 4. Handwritten word "Search" appears in the left margin near the skyscraper section]