DRAFT THE MINUTES OF THE 114th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 6 June 1967 Present: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman Mr. Richmond P. Miller Mr. John Taxin Mr. Charles R. Tyson Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Kranzel, Isador, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Mr. John L. Evans, City Architect, to represent Commissioner Costello Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Dr. S. K. Stevens, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions properly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Meeting held 25 April 1967 were approved as circulated. THE MINUTES of the Special Meeting held 8 May 1967, following the death of Grant M. Simon, were approved as circulated. REPORTS Historic Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. There was no report, but consideration was asked of the Members to certification of 1722-25 E. Berks Street. This was approved. Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. In his absence, the secretary was asked to read the report in toto. This was approved and ordered to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. This report was approved. The Chairman asked for comments, all of which were favorable. The Report was ordered to be filed in the usual way. OLD BUSINESS The Carpenters' Company, 320 Chestnut Street. It is reported that at the last Stated Meeting of the Commission, National Park Service had supported the Historical Commission's position that further study be made before any interior alterations or embellishments be made to this historical structure. Mr. U. C. Anderson now agrees that the proposed mantels may be added, provided they are furred out so that the fabric of the chimneys is uninjured. The Chairman agreed to meet with Mr. John Harbeson and Mr. Anderson to discuss the Commission's stand. He then asked Mr. Evans to comment. Mr. Evans said that his unofficial opinion is that the Carpenters' Company has a right to do what it wants with its own building. He also favored a decorative reconstruction rather than an authentic, but plain restoration. Dr. Stevens noting the National Park Service's work in restoring buildings under its jurisdiction to the correct period in every respect, requested a letter be written to Mr. George Hetzog, Director of the National
its own building. He also favored a decorative reconstruction rather than an authentic, but plain restoration. Dr. Stevens noting the National Park Service's work in restoring buildings under its jurisdiction to the correct period in every respect, requested a letter be written to Mr. George Hetzog, Director of the National Park Service, with a carbo copy to Dr. Connelly. Mr. Evans suggested that a meeting be held with Mr. Harbeso Evns. The Chairman agreed and asked for a copy of the letter to be sent to all of the various correspondence between the Commission, the Carpenters' Company and the National Park Service. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Top right corner: "1251-1253" (appears to be a reference number or page marking) 2. Bottom left corner: A single curved line or mark (possibly an editor's notation or signature mark)] The Minutes 6.6.67 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS, continued The Delaware Expreseway, Southwark Division. Dr. Tinkcom reported that the late Chairman, Grant M. Simon, had written to Mr. Bridwell and to Senator Scott asking for a definition of their proposals for Southwark and restating its hope that the highway could be rerouted along Swanson Street. No definite reply has been received but in view of the account in THE INQUIRER of 3 June 1967, the Chairman, Dr. Nichols, suggested that the following be done: Letters to Messrs. Boyd and Turner, strongly recommending the highway be depressed through Southwark if the line cannot be changed; The Historical Commission be afforded the chance to choose which buildings are to be moved if this must be done. Dr. Stevens strongly recommended that a committee of the Commission go to see the Governor's assistant, Mr. Volloy, and agreed to arrange a meeting and himself go with the committee to present its point of view. The Chairman asked Dr. Stevens to arrange such a meeting and expressed the hope that as many Members of the Commission as possible would go with him to Harrisburg. NEW BUSINESS National Registry of Historic Landmarks. The Chairman invited Dr. Stevens to comment on this since the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has been designated to survey the State of Pennsylvania and recommend a list of historic sites and buildings to be incorporated in The Register to the Department of the Interior. Philadelphia is to be well represented by structures certified by the Historical Commission. Dr. Nichols asked if the Commission is staffed for this. Dr.
survey the State of Pennsylvania and recommend a list of historic sites and buildings to be incorporated in The Register to the Department of the Interior. Philadelphia is to be well represented by structures certified by the Historical Commission. Dr. Nichols asked if the Commission is staffed for this. Dr. Tinkcom replied that what the Commission has already done will be made available for the National Registry and Dr. Stevens added that grants in aid for further research would be available. The report will be published, at least in catalogue form. The Chairman asked for a Resolution regarding the National Registry of Historic Landmarks and a motion was made, seconded and carried that the Historical Commission mission would give this Federal program its fullest cooperation. Amendment 3-A to the Pennsylvania Constitution: Five Hundred Million Dollars available for conservation. Dr. Stevens noted that some of this money will be available for historic preservation and added that, unlike Project 70 funds which were limited to acquisition of parkland, these new funds will be available for the restoration of historic structures. The Benjamin Rush House and Fort Mifflin could benefit from this, for example. After further discussion, the Chairman congratulated Dr. Stevens on his work. In turn, Dr. Stevens congratulated the Historical Commission on its accomplishments of the past ten years and stated that, so far as he knows, Philadelphia is the only city to have such a commission. (This is the opinion of Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, expressed by Prof. Charles M. Peterson on the occasion of the visit of his seminar to the Historical Commission office in April of this year.) There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman RFN:mrm [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Location: Top right corner, before "Page 2" — a small mark or symbol (appears to be a checkmark or notation mark) Location: In the margin next to "OLD BUSINESS, continued" — a quotation mark-like symbol "]