MINUTES OF THE 158th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 29 June 1971 Present were: Mr. Charles R. Tyson, Chairman Mr. Walter E. Browne, Chief, Administrative Planning, Public Property Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Mr. Richmond P. Miller Mr. Edward Pinkowski Mr. John Taxin Mr. Henry J. Magazine, Architectural Adviser to the Commission Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Miss Dorothy Byrd, for THE EVENING BULLETIN Absent were: The Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Isador Kranzel, Esq., Assistant District Attorney THE MINUTES of the May 25th Meeting were unanimously approved. REPORTS Staff Recommendations for Certification of Buildings Approved were the following: The Philadelphia Museum of Art The Washington Fountain The Rodin Museum The Boy Scout Headquarters, 22nd & Winter The Free Library Municipal Court Building The Calder Fountain, Logan Square 51 East Penn Street (Att'd to Stanford White) 810 Pine Street 814 Pine Street Philadelphia Opera House (The Met) Broad & Poplar Spring Garden Street as follows: 1530 1533, 1800, 1802, 1804, 1900, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916, 1918 2005, 2013, 2015 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2028, 2030 2032, 2034, 2036, 2038 It was agreed to study further 123, 125, 127 and 129 Walnut Street and to get good photographs before complying with this request. Also it was approved that certification be withheld on Moore College of Art and the American Society for Testing and Materials, as well as the Youth Study Center. It was agreed that twenty-five years be allowed to elapse on any new structure before re- viewing it for certification as worthy of being preserved. The Architectural Committee, Mr. John F. Lloyd, Chairman. It was noted that this is Mr. Lloyd's last report. The secretary was directed to read it. The report approved, including a detailed discussion on whether or not a plaque should be awarded to the new owner of 522 Delancey Street. It was agreed that former circumstances, as per quote on the Minutes of October 1969, should not prevent authorization to purchase a plaque, if the new owner agreed to rectify incorrect pointing around a cellar window. The Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official Minutes. More [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Located in top right corner: a triangular stamp or marking (appears to be an archival or filing mark).] Notes 6.29.71 Page 2 continued The
owner agreed to rectify incorrect pointing around a cellar window. The Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official Minutes. More [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Located in top right corner: a triangular stamp or marking (appears to be an archival or filing mark).] Notes 6.29.71 Page 2 continued The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. Under continuing concerns, Dr. Tinkcom mentioned the Twelfth Street Meeting, asking Mr. Magazine to report. He spoke briefly of several meetings relating to the problem and reported concensus that the building should be saved. Mr. Magazine spoke of an alternative proposal discussed at a meeting of a committee of architects and representatives of the PSFS which could accomplish this. Action taken during the report included approval for a contract to have the necessary forms prepared to have three Federal Buildings – the U.S. Naval Home; Frankford Arsenal; and the small hospital connected with Fort Mifflin - added to the National Register. It was approved that Miss Mary Q. Means be engaged to do this work for $150.00 Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS 305-07-09 Chestnut Street, attributed to James Windrim, architect. The Chairman asked the Historian to brief the long letter, dated 25 June 1971 from Mr. Charles Kurz, President of Chas. Kurz & Co., Inc., owner of the former Bank of North America Building. After some discussion, the Chairman directed that the letter be acknowledged with a plea for patience. Meanwhile, the letter from Mr. Kurz is to be brought to City Planning Commission for review. It was also directed that Mr. Stephen Gardner be approached, asking for suggestions regarding the possibility of funding a museum of banking there. NEW BUSINESS The Cliffs, West Fairmount Park, between Lemoh Hill and Mount Pleasant. Dr. Tinkcom reported on the memorandum from Mr. Willgruber setting forth the reasons Park Commission wants to demolish this isolated structure. The Historian also noted the receipt of a number of letters, telephone calls and conversations which resulted from the publicity of this proposal. Discussion of suggested uses ensued. It was directed that Dr. Tinkcomhe in touch with the Historic Houses Committee of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation and that an offer to restore the building from Mr. and Mrs. Ober be reported. It was agreed to write to Mr. Willgruber, turning down the proposal to demolish
uses ensued. It was directed that Dr. Tinkcomhe in touch with the Historic Houses Committee of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation and that an offer to restore the building from Mr. and Mrs. Ober be reported. It was agreed to write to Mr. Willgruber, turning down the proposal to demolish the Cliffs. 2032 Walnut Street, the Wanamaker House. Although no application for its demolition is yet at hand, the real estate firm handling the transfer of title has allowed the Historical Commission to understand that the intention to demolish is firm. It was resolved to write to Mr. Richard Bond, past President of the Wanamaker Store and trustee for the Wanamaker Estate and make a number of suggestions for the preservation of the mansion. A copy of the letter is to go to Mrs. Gustav Amsterdam with a cover letter from the Chairman. The date of the next meeting. It was resolved to leave the date of the next meeting open between July and September, or at the Call of the Chairman. This was approve There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at half past five. Respectfully submitted, M. R. Maurer, Secretary