MINUTES OF THE 229th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 5 October 1978 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Mrs. James C. Crumlish, Jr. Edward Pinkowski Val Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting 7 September 1978, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 20 September 1978, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman. The Commission members discussed the issue of the reconstruction of 225-27 Spruce Street and Historical Commission policy relating to reconstruction and historical certification. It was agreed that the question was a complicated one and that consideration should be given to the establishment of policy guidelines relating to the substantial reconstruction of a certified building. A motion was made to table the issue until a later meeting. Mr. Mogensen asked that the Commission members be presented with Mr. Levy's views on this question before making a policy decision. A motion was made to approve the Report of the Architectural Committee for 20 September 1978 save the aforementioned item. This motion was seconded and carried. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Historical Commission members voted in favor of the certification of the following buildings: [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "R. Tyler" in cursive handwriting] STATED MEETING 2 5 October 1978 REPORTS (Cont.) Women's SPCA of Pennsylvania, 315 South Chadwick Street, nominated by Robert G. Hudson, Executive Director of the Women's SPCA of Pennsylvania. 1920 Spruce Street, Academy of Vocal Arts, nominated by Dino Yannopoulos, Director of the Academy of Vocal Arts. Provident Bank, Sixth and Spring Garden Streets, nominated by the Historical Commission staff. Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of September, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler elaborated on Barbara Iggett's archaeological find at Fort Mifflin and on the present status of the Concilio and the Provident Bank at Sixth and Spring Garden Streets. After some discussion of these items, a motion was made to approve the report as submitted. This was seconded and carried. OLD BUSINESS Committee on Certification. The members present and several not in attendance expressed their approval of the establishment of a Committee on Certification as proposed by
Garden Streets. After some discussion of these items, a motion was made to approve the report as submitted. This was seconded and carried. OLD BUSINESS Committee on Certification. The members present and several not in attendance expressed their approval of the establishment of a Committee on Certification as proposed by the Commission's Historian. After some discussion of the merits of such a Committee and a clarification of its role in the certification process, a motion was made to approve the creation of this Committee. Mr. Pinkowski added two qualifications to the approval. It was determined that the Historical Commission would retain sole authority over certification and that the Committee members would have the opportunity to review the supporting historical and architectural data at each regularly scheduled Stated Meeting. Secondly, the Historical Commission members will receive a report and copies of all information to be submitted for consideration by the Committee on Certification prior to each Stated Meeting. After some further discussion, the Commission approved three names recommended by the Historian in rank order for the position of outside historian and three names for the position of outside architect. The Commission also authorized the Historian to discuss service on the Committee with the several approved historians and architects. Finally, it was agreed that the Committee on Certification would elect its own chairman. STATED MEETING 3 5 October 1978 NEW BUSINESS Kosciuszko House, 301 Pine Street. Mr. Pinkowski presented to the Commission members a photocopy of an article appearing in a recent issue of Pennsylvania Heritage dealing with the Kosciuszko House, its preservation and restoration. Mr. Pinkowski pointed out a number of errors in the article and requested that the Commission's Historian draft a letter to the editor of Pennsylvania Heritage correcting any erroneous information which appeared in that composition. The Historian agreed to meet with Mr. Pinkowski to review the substance of the article and to draft a letter to be presented to the Commission at its next meeting for consideration. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted Patricia Siemiontkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman PSimk MEMORANDUM City of Philadelphia Date: 12 October 1978 TO : P. Otto Haas, Chairman Janet S. Klein, Historic Programs Coordinator Mrs. James C. Crumish, Jr. Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Pinkowski John Taxin Robert Silver, Commissioner, Dept. of Public Property Irvin R. Davis, Director of Finance FROM:
PSimk MEMORANDUM City of Philadelphia Date: 12 October 1978 TO : P. Otto Haas, Chairman Janet S. Klein, Historic Programs Coordinator Mrs. James C. Crumish, Jr. Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Pinkowski John Taxin Robert Silver, Commissioner, Dept. of Public Property Irvin R. Davis, Director of Finance FROM: Richard Tyler, Historian Philadelphia Historical Commission RE : COMMITTEE ON CERTIFICATION At its meeting of 5 October 1978, the Commission approved the proposal to create a Committee on Certification as presented at the meeting of 7 September and distributed with the minutes of that meeting. On 5 October, the Commission also authorized the staff to invite James Homey of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to serve as the outside historian and Hyman Myers to act as the outside architect; they have both agreed to participate in the Committee's work. The City Planning Commission senior staff position will be occupied by John C. Mitkus, Executive Director, or his designee; John O. Higgins, Chief of Area Planning, will represent Mr. Mitkus on the Committee. To assist him in the selection of the Commission member of the Committee, the Chairman would like to have suggestions from the board. This can be accomplished by ticking off the name of your choice on the enclosed postcard and returning it to the office or by calling MU6-4543/83 with your recommendation. A response by 2 November, the date of the next Commission meeting, will permit the completion of the Committee's organization at that meeting. Thank you for your attention to this matter. RT rmk