THE MINUTES OF THE 113th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 26 September 1967 Present were: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman Mr. Richmond P. Miller Mr. Charles R. Tyson Mr. James L. Ferguson, Deputy Director of Finance Isador Kranzel, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcorn, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Mr. John Harbeson Mr. John Cornell H. Ober Hess, Esq., attorney for the Carpenters' Company Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions properly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Meeting held 25 July 1967 were approved as circulated. REPORTS Historical Values Committee, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman. This report was approved and ordered to be filed with official copies of the Minutes. Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman. In Mr. Trautwein's absence, the secretary was asked to read his report. This was approved and ordered to be filed. The Commission's Activities, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcorn, Historian. Dr. Tinkcorn's recommendation that a letter be written to the Managing Director, suggesting that he explore the possibility of obtaining funds for the restoration of the Benjamin Rush House, Academy and Red Lion Roads, from the State was discussed. This was moved, seconded andcarried; Dr. Tinkcorn was asked to initiate the proceedings. It was also agreed that the Commission again write to Mr. Bacon, saying that the Historical Commission will be pleased to participate in the Model Cities program if sufficient funds can be made available. Dr. Tinkcorn's report was also approved and directed to be filed with the official copies of the Minutes. In view of the Chairman's invitations to Messrs. Harbeson, Anderson and other members of their party, "Old Business" with the one item of Carpenters' Hall was deferred to the latter end of the meeting and "New Business" took precedence. NEW BUSINESS The log house of the Friends' Select School. Mr. Miller asured the Chair that this structure and the Friends' Library will remain for two more years. No action was taken at this time, in consequence, except to announce that the attorney for the school had written urging the Commission to take immediate steps to move the building if they wished to save it. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "6K" with what appears to be "9/11" written below it] The Minutes 9.26.67 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS continued The painting, offered by the artist, Hortense Ferne, was accepted after
the Commission to take immediate steps to move the building if they wished to save it. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "6K" with what appears to be "9/11" written below it] The Minutes 9.26.67 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS continued The painting, offered by the artist, Hortense Ferne, was accepted after consultation with Counsel. The Committee for the preservation of the United States Capitol Building. The Commission declined to make a financial contribution to this committee OLD BUSINESS The Carpenters' Company, 320 Chestnut Street. The Chairman asked Mr. John Harbeson to discuss his presentation. He made four points: 1. The proposal was to install the fireplace mantels as furniture. 2. None of the original of the Hall fabrice was to be altered. 3. The overmantel was intended to provide a frame for the Company's banner, carried in 1788 in the Federal Procession. 4. The proportion os the design in the Rule Book would not fit the dimensions of the banner. The Chairman asked for the reaction of National Park Service to this proposal. It was reported that the Park Service will accept it as an interim measure; that eventually they will study the fabric of the building in the same manner as was done at Independence Hall. Mr. Harbeson, Mr. Hess and Mr. Cornell were thanked for appearing before the Commission and excused. The Historical Commission, in executive session, reviewed the proposal and unanimously agreed to accept t. Since a quorum of the Commission was not present, Mr. Kranzel was asked for advice. Counsel advised the Chair that the matter could either be postponed to the next meeting; a special meeting could be called; or the vote of the absent members be solicited in writing. Mr. Kranzel said that one negative vote could be accepted. It was agreed that the last procedure be followed and Dr. Nichols was asked to prepare such a letter. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 P. M. Respectfully submitted Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman for the Commission RFN:mrm [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: A circled mark appears in the left margin near the top of the page. A circled mark appears in the left margin in the middle section of the page.]