MINUTES OF THE 167th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1 June 1972 Present: Charles R. Tyson, Chairman of the Commission Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Finkewaldi John Taxin Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Hamrer, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Mr. David A. Muesselman, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Mrs. Joseph Sogal, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Mrs. Sydney Patten, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Patricia Sismickowski, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES for the Stated Meeting 4 May 1972 were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 16 May 1972 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Staff Recommendations for Certifying Buildings. The following buildings were certified by the Historical Commission as being worthy of preservation: 2020 Rainbridge Street (residence of Alexander M. Calder) Reading R.R. Station at Sadgwick Chestnut Hill Academy, 500 W. Willow Grove Avenue 8205 Seminole Avenue A33 W. Stafford Street 5128 Wayne Avenue 3401 Powelton Avenue Report on Commission Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. A report was made on the deteriorating condition of the Head House and open markets at Second and Pine Streets. Mrs. Maurer had noted flaking paint and cracked windows and also a lack of supervision over the activities being carried on during the weekends. Mr. Kelly agreed to talk with Councilman Costello concerning repairs to the market and its continued maintenance. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: handwritten notation "C.R.T." followed by "7/10/72" (appears to be initials and a date)] THE MINUTES 2 1 June 1972 OLD BUSINESS Correspondence between the Historical Commission and Residents of Defancey Place, pro and con cartificate, Both Dr. Tinkcom and Mr. Kramer reported to the Historical Commission on community reaction to the certification of the 1800, 2100, and 2100 blocks of Delancey Place. Of the eighteen residents who responded to the Board's notice, fourteen had favorable reactions while four did not. It was Dr. Tinkcom's opinion that these few objections resulted from the owners' misunderstanding of the Commission's work. Mr. Kramel was also asked to speak to this matter. Mr. Kramel stated that because of the Historical Commission's recent adoption of certifying post-Civil War buildings the base of homes
did not. It was Dr. Tinkcom's opinion that these few objections resulted from the owners' misunderstanding of the Commission's work. Mr. Kramel was also asked to speak to this matter. Mr. Kramel stated that because of the Historical Commission's recent adoption of certifying post-Civil War buildings the base of homes listed has tremendously increased and such unfavorable reactions may become more frequent. The Commission considered the issue and proposed a notice calling for the notification of owners prior to the certification of their property. If no objections are raised, the structures will subsequently be approved for certification. In the case of protest by an owner, the structure in question will again be studied by the Historical Commission. Additional Funds for the Commission (a report from Dr. Tinkcom). As directed in the Commission's Minutes for 6 April 1972, Dr. Tinkcom investigated the possibility of obtaining funds for the Commission's operating expenses from both the Historical Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Register of Historic Places. It was reported that money is only available on a matching basis and only for individual structures; but funds could be added to the Historical Commission's Operating Budget for carrying and planning are not available, except for any which might be available from a Foundation or from the Council on the Humanities. To insure the time and effort, however, expended in making applications for such a grant, suggested Dr. Tinkcom, might not be worth the effort. The Chairman directed that the matter be tabled for the present. NEW BUSINESS The Liberty Ball. Dr. Tinkcom reported to the Commission members the proposal of the Preservation Commission of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects that the Liberty Ball art be moved into the new lobby as planned by the National Park Service but placed in the first floor of the First Bank of the United States. Mr. Lyons suggested that because of the extent to which the design and planning stages had progressed little could now be done to change present plans. Both Mr. Taxis and Mr. Kelly expressed their discontent with the Park Service's realty to move the Liberty Ball out of Independence Square and suggested the ball remain in the Park behind Independence Hall prevented THE MINUTES 3 1 June 1972 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) by a rotunda. Mr. Kelly agreed to get a Councilmanic resolution underway protecting the bell's removal from Independence
Service's realty to move the Liberty Ball out of Independence Square and suggested the ball remain in the Park behind Independence Hall prevented THE MINUTES 3 1 June 1972 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) by a rotunda. Mr. Kelly agreed to get a Councilmanic resolution underway protecting the bell's removal from Independence Square. This will then be forwarded to the Congress. Washington Square West - Redevelopment Authority's suggestion from its staff. Mrs. Segal suggested to the Commission the possibility of having the Historical Commission's Architectural Committees review plans for the exterior rehabilitation of non-certified buildings in the Washington Square West Redevelopment area as well as certified ones in view of this area's nomination to the National Register. Such an arrangement would give the Historical Commission an opportunity to see sketches of buildings within the historic district would not be unacceptable in an area lined with historic buildings. It was agreed that no action was needed in this matter and that this procedure may be carried out informally by the staffs of both agencies. The same procedure will be followed in the Old City as in Washington Square West. Volunteers. Dr. Tinkcom reported to the Board members the staff's acquisition of a volunteer worker from Hallahan High School. Dr. Tinkcom requested that $50.00 be encumbered for this student, Hanna Bmiglawski, to pay transportation expenses during the months of June, July and August while she is working for the Commission. Mr. Taxin made a motion that $100.00 be encumbered to cover Miss Bmiglawski's out of pocket expenses. This was seconded and carried. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Sismontkowski Secretary