Meeting of the Advisory Commission on Historic Buildings, held on January 29th, 1957, in Room 813, City Hall Annex. The following members were present: Grant M. Simon, Chairman Charles E. Peterson R. Norris Williams, II Samuel B. Regalbuto, Commissioner of Public Property Also present were: Mr. Harry G. McDowell for Mr. McConnell, Director of Finance Mrs. Margaret B. Tinkcom (Research Historian) Mrs. Theresa V. Pullice (Executive Secretary) The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m. Second Street Market House: It was agreed that Mr. Brumbaugh should get a token payment to start studies toward restoration for a fee not to exceed $1,000.00. Merchant's Hotel, 40-46 N. Fourth Street: No suitable use has been found for this building. It was agreed that Mr. Roy Larson, who is making plans for the City Planning Commission, be asked to appear before this Commission to discuss the nature of his studies. Delaware Expressway: It was urged that plans for the Delaware Expressway be closely followed. Society Hill: Mr. Bacon has asked for a definition of the limits of the Society Hill district. Mr. Peterson was asked to formulate a statement for the approval of the Commission to include the area from the Delaware to Eleventh Street and Chestnut to Lombard. 318 Delancey Street: Mr. Greenbaum of the Greenfield organization has supplied land title information relating to the 2-1/2 story house at this location. 118 Elfreth's Alley: Mr. Duross has submitted an application for a building permit to add pent eaves to this house. Mr. Duross was expected to submit drawings for this, but that has not yet been done. - 1 - Procedure for Building Applications: Mr. Simon talked to Mr. Dawson, Chief of the Bureau of Building Inspection, about the possibility of having these applications come to the Commission first for approval before it is processed through other departments. Mr. Simon stated that if an application comes to the Commission after having been approved by other departments, it would be bad for us if we turned it down. In the intervals between the monthly meetings, the Commission could arrange for a small committee to act on each application, then the application would be presented to the Secretary, Mrs. Pulice, who would stamp it for either temporary approval, final approval, or rejection, and sign it for the Commission. Office Space for the Commission: A letter was prepared to be sent to the Commissioner
committee to act on each application, then the application would be presented to the Secretary, Mrs. Pulice, who would stamp it for either temporary approval, final approval, or rejection, and sign it for the Commission. Office Space for the Commission: A letter was prepared to be sent to the Commissioner of Public Property asking for an approximate space of 20' x 25' for the Advisory Commission on Historic Building. This was approved. Change of Commission's Name: A new ordinance is in the hands of the Legislative Department proposing the change of the name of the Commission to the "Philadelphia Historical Commission". Annual Report: The Chairman has offered a draft of the text which was approved with minor revisions. 327 Cherry Street: Mr. Teeter's suggestions were discussed. It was believed that the present building is not the same as the Colonial German School. List of 700 Buildings: Two hundred new photographs have been taken by the City Photographer for the study files. Additions to Certified List: A list of 19 additional structures was proposed for the original list of 134. It was suggested that some explanation be offered in justification for each structure proposed for addition. Academy of Music: A proposal to alter the galleries of the auditorium was discussed. - 2 - 116-124 Cuthbert Street (formerly Coombe's Alley): The threat to the continued existence of these very old houses, owned by the Nathan Trotter Co., was discussed. 704 So. Front Street: This is the pre-Revolutionary Irish House, now owned by Earl Kirkbride. Architect George A. Robbins, has prepared, with the aid of a student, a sheet of 1/8 scale HABS pencil drawings of this house, submitted with a letter of January 22nd, 1957. The cost of the measuring in this case was approximately $100. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Charles E. Peterson, Secretary