MINUTES OF THE 127th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 25 June 1968 Present were: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman Mr. John Taxin Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Isador Kranzel, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Paul Leo McSorley, Esq., Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Public Property Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of Motions, properly presented, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Meeting held on 28 May 1968 were approved as circulated. Mr. Kranzel, reviewing the present list of Commission Members, gave his opinion that four Members, or in the case of two ex officio Members their deputies, constitute a quorum. REPORTS Historical Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. See below for the report on extension of the Commission's period to withhold demolition of certified buildings. Architectural Committee. The secretary was asked to report on the review of submissions, problems and requests for plaques. This report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. This report was approved and directed to be filed. Action taken on the report was concerned with the log House at 16th and Race Streets. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the State Authority, exploring the possibility of moving this house to the State Mall. OLD BUSINESS Dr. Nichols reported on the Council Hearing for Bill 378. He noted that the Historical Commission's request for an extension of its power to withhold demolition of historic buildings was supported by Judge Gaylor, speaking for the Germantown Historical Society; Mr. Charles Woodward, both as a taxpayer and as a Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and by Councilman Cohen, representing the Germantown Community Council. Letters and telegrams from the National Trust; from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; from the Chairman of the National Council for Historic Preservation; from the historical Society of Pennsylvania; and from the West Philadelphia Corporation also were introduced in support of the Historical Commission's position. It is noteworthy that although the City Planning Commission opposes this request, no individual or community association appeared to protest this revision of the Commission's ordinance. The Commission spent some time in discussing this problem. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "R.P.M." (initials in cursive handwriting)] The Minutes 6.25.68 Page 2 NEW
is noteworthy that although the City Planning Commission opposes this request, no individual or community association appeared to protest this revision of the Commission's ordinance. The Commission spent some time in discussing this problem. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "R.P.M." (initials in cursive handwriting)] The Minutes 6.25.68 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS A Memorial Minute to Richard Norris Williams, II., 1891 - 1963. It was agreed that this and a copy be sent to Mrs. Williams: R. N. Williams, 2nd was one of the pioneers in the cause of Philadelphia History. As Director of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania he was in a strategic position to assume leadership and he was always intent on advancing the cause. He took an active part in promoting the estab- lishment of the City Archives and he was active in the effort to save its historic buildings. So it was but natural that he should be a member of its first Historical Commission. From its creation in 1955 until only a few weeks before his death he was earnest in its interests, active in promoting them and constructive in his contri- bution to its work and its deliberations. His colleagues on the Commission greatly valued his contribution and are now filled with a sense of bereavement at his passing. They therefore have adopted this minute expressing their sense of loss and are spreading it on their minutes and sending it to the family with an expression of deepest sympathy. Arch Street Meeting of the Society of Friends, between 3d & 4th on Arch St. The secretary was asked to outline the problem, which involved only the interior alterations, as exterior changes were approved in December 1967. Based on a report prepared by Mr. Lee Nelson of National Park Service, the Architectural Consultants to the Historical Commission have recommended that the variances requested by the firm of Cope and Lippincott be supported so that the historical values of this import- ant structure will be preserved. This was approved and a letter directed to be written, with copies to all interested parties provided. Date of the next Stated Meeting. It was resolved that there be no meeting in July unless called by the Chair. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 P. M. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________ Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman for the Commission RFN:mrm [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Signature at bottom center of page: "Roy
Stated Meeting. It was resolved that there be no meeting in July unless called by the Chair. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 P. M. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________ Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman for the Commission RFN:mrm [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Signature at bottom center of page: "Roy Franklin Nichols," handwritten in cursive script with a flourish above it.]