Historical Commission — Mar 7, 1974

THE MINUTES OF THE 183rd STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 7 March 1974 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Mrs. James O. Crumlish, Jr. The Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Pinkowski Henry J. Magasinor, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Michael Silver, Assistant City Solicitor Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patricia Slemintkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 7 February 1974, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 22 February 1974 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian. The following buildings are approved by the Board for certification unless an objection by the owner is made. 3819 The Oak Road Currie Building, Sixth and Walnut Streets Masterman School, Spring Garden Street Wills Eye Hospital, 1601 Spring Garden Street St. Andrews R. C. Church, Kinsteenth and Wallace Sts. Mary Elisabeth Patterson Memorial Church, Thirty-third and Vine Sts. Mount Sinai Cemetery Chapel 1601-43 Diamond Street 5164 Ridge Avenue St. Timothy's P. E. Church, 5720 Ridge Avenue. Commission Activities, Report on, Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian, Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. MINUTES 2 7 March 1974 OLD BUSINESS Replacement for Dr. Tinkcam. (Status Report). Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman. As a result of the readvertisement of the Historian's position, thirty applications were received by the Personnel Department. Of the thirty, eighteen of the applicants, according to the Department, met the requirements as posted. Dr. Haas reported to the Board his hope that six or eight of the eighteen will be selected for the upcoming exam scheduled for March 22, 1974. The panel will be composed of John Dickey, A.I.A., Roger Moss of the Athenacum, and Mr. James Mooney, Associate Director of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 700 South Front Street (request for a Historical Commission plaque). Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcam, Historian. At the request of Mr. Robert Jacobs of the Mayor's Office, Dr. Tinkcam reviewed the history of the Historical Commission's problems with Mr. Levin and at the conclusion of this discussion, Mr. Jacobs and Dr. Tinkcam made a physical inspection

for a Historical Commission plaque). Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcam, Historian. At the request of Mr. Robert Jacobs of the Mayor's Office, Dr. Tinkcam reviewed the history of the Historical Commission's problems with Mr. Levin and at the conclusion of this discussion, Mr. Jacobs and Dr. Tinkcam made a physical inspection of the building. Mr. Jacobs expressed his agreement with the Historical Commission's refusal of a plaque because of the poor work. Dr. Tinkcam suggested that the Historical Commission might agree to giving Mr. Levin an Award of Rehabilitation. This was approved by the Board. Haviland Paneling. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcam, Historian. The National Park Service has informed the Historical Commission that the Haviland paneling must be removed from storage in Springfield by June 15. Dr. Haas agreed to inquire of the Walnut Street Theatre whether they are, indeed, interested in the paneling as previously reported. John Wanamaker's Store, Thirteenth and Market Streets. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcam, Historian. A letter received from Mr. Robert Harrison, President of the John Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia, expressed to the Historical Commission the concern of the Board of Trustees regarding the extent of Commission control over the building at Thirteenth and Market Streets. After some discussion, it was agreed that a letter be sent to Mr. Harrison notifying him that the Historical Commission would, in this case, exercise its control only over the Grand Court, the Crystal Tea Room, and the Egyptian Hall on the interior, and, of course, the structure's exterior. NEW BUSINESS 28 South Front Street. Patricia Siemigatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. Because of the dangerous and deteriorated condition of the historically certified building, the Commission was asked to consider allowing its demolition and the construction of a new building on the site. The Board voted to allow demolition with the requirement that the base, sills, and undamaged brick be salvaged for reuse in construction of the new building. A more appropriate design for the new structure than the one presented is also required. MINUTES 3 7 March 1974 NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd) Disposition of Architectural Records, now in storage at Fifteenth and Wallace Streets by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian, Dr. Tinkcom reported to the Board members the proposal of the Department of Licenses and Inspections to dispose of their collection of architectural drawings (1000 rolls done between 1913 and 1951; 5000 rolls done subsequent to

Wallace Streets by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian, Dr. Tinkcom reported to the Board members the proposal of the Department of Licenses and Inspections to dispose of their collection of architectural drawings (1000 rolls done between 1913 and 1951; 5000 rolls done subsequent to 1951). At the suggestion of the Historian, a letter will be sent to the Commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections and to the City Archivist asking that none of the records be discarded but rather offered to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania or to the Athenaeum for cataloging and storing in their files. Next Meeting of the Historical Commission Board. The next meeting of the Commission will be held on Thursday, April 25, 1974 at 3:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemionkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman