THE MINUTES OF THE 135th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 29 April 1969 Present: Mr. Richmond P. Miller Mr. John Taxin Mr. Charles R. Tyson Mr. Robert Goodkin, Budget Officer, Department of Public Property Isador Kranzei, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Paul Leo McSorley, Esq., Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Property, who opened the meeting in the absence of Dr. Nichols. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary THE MINUTES OF THE 25 March 1969 STATED MEETING were approved as corrected. REPORTS Architectural Committee, Mrs. Maurer, Secretary, was read and approved. It was directed to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Dr. Tinkcom reported on correspondence with Philip Price, Esq., resulting from action on Fairmount Park buildings taken at the March Meeting. The hearing on this bill has not been rescheduled. No further action is required of the Historical Commission at this time. Dr. Tinkcom gave a short progress report on the Rush House problem. Mr. Taxin suggested a rebuttal to some of the newspaper comments. Mr. McSorley reported that Dr. Tinkcom has been asked to sit on an advisory committee and added that in his opinion no further action should be taken. Dr. Tinkcom spoke about the Model Cities Report, copies of which were available to each member present. Pending publicity was dis- cussed and the report favorably commented upon. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved and directed to be filed. OLD BUSINESS 301 Pine Street. Mr. Kranzei reported his conference with Mr. Bonavita- cola, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, who stated that the Zoning Board would not reconsider its decision. Mr. Kranzei also reported on his consultation with the Fire Marshall. It was the consensus, based on the attitude of all agencies concerned, that the Historical Commission can go no further with this matter. Historical American Buildings Survey Catalogue of Philadelphia Buildings. Dr. Tinkcom reviewed this matter, held over from the March Stated Meeting, and said that a grant of $3,000 to print 3,000 copies of the catalogue was needed. The HABS will furnish the text and the illustrations of the Philadelphia buildings to be included in the publication; all profits from the sales will accrue to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. THE MINUTES 2 April 29, 1969 OLD BUSINESS-continued It was suggested that Mr. Lawrence M. C. Smith might be willing to
will furnish the text and the illustrations of the Philadelphia buildings to be included in the publication; all profits from the sales will accrue to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. THE MINUTES 2 April 29, 1969 OLD BUSINESS-continued It was suggested that Mr. Lawrence M. C. Smith might be willing to make the funds available. Mr. Tyson agreed to explore this. NEW BUSINESS Withdrawing of Plaques from properties not correctly maintained. Dr. Tinkcom cited the Commodore Barron House in Germantown and said that since this was a Germantown project, she had explored the matter with Colonial Germantown, Inc. Both Judge Saylor and Arthur Rosenlund agreed this would be appropriate action. It was the consensus that this should be referred to Council for his opinion. It was resolved that future assignments should contain a statement, based on the Federal Government's procedure with regard to its annual review of National Historical Landmarks, noting that the Historical Commission reserved the right to withdraw approval for a plaque if the property was not properly maintained. This was approved. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Marjorie R. Maurer Secretary Mr. Tyson asked about the status of the Monastery at the foot of Kitchen's Lane. He was informed that Judge Saylor hopes it will become a youth hostel and Dr. Tinkcom said that in her opinion, based on a recent visit to it, this is a feasible use, and that the needed repairs can be made at reasonable cost.