FINAL APPROVAL D R A F T PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES FOR THE FORTY-SECOND MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION May 31, 1960 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Philip Carroll, representing Mr. Gennetti Mr. Harry G. McDowell, Deputy Director of Finance Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary Miss Constance F. Smith, Clerk-Stenographer Unless otherwise stated, all actions reported herein are taken after motions that were properly presented, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES for April 26, 1960 Mr. McDowell asked that two corrections be made in connection with his report on contracts for the historical research staff. He did not intend to imply that advertisements for Civil Service positions with the Historical Commission would appear only on the bulletin board; it may appear in other places as well. Mr. McDowell said that the notice would definitely appear on the Bulletin Board of the Personnel Department; he did not know where else they might appear. Another correction concerned examinations. Mr. McDowell said that the present staff members would be given training and evaluation examinations based on their background. The Minutes were approved with these corrections DR. TINKCOM'S REPORT The Budget, as approved by the Commission, has been reviewed by the Department of Public Property and by the Managing Director's Office and approved with the following changes: Miss Smith's salary will automatically be increased at the end of her first year in accordance with Civil Service requirements; the Department of Public Property will request Council to grant Mrs. Maurer, an exempt employee, an increase equal to the one she would automatically receive were she under Civil Service. It was proposed that $500 be added to the Commission's budget to take care of travel expenses for the Members of the Commission and for Dr. Tinkcom, when attending professional meetings at the request of the Commission. Also, it was agreed that an extra $800 be added to the Professional Services funds to permit Mr. Robbins to prepare an additional eight sheets of drawings of architectural details during 1961. These will be available for the use of anyone planning to restore an old Philadelphia structure. There is nothing further to report regarding Civil Service status for the research staff. The Personnel Department is currently working on classifications for these
additional eight sheets of drawings of architectural details during 1961. These will be available for the use of anyone planning to restore an old Philadelphia structure. There is nothing further to report regarding Civil Service status for the research staff. The Personnel Department is currently working on classifications for these jobs. The Chairman remarked that it would be desirable to make the [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Top right corner: "June 28, 60" (date stamp/notation) 2. Top center, between "DRAFT" and "PHILADELPHIA": An underline and what appears to be a signature or approval mark] THE MINUTES -2- May 31, 1960 DR. TINKCOM'S REPORT continued Historian's job a full time one. At present the administrative work takes nearly all the Historian's time. Staff work continues as before among the deeds, insurance records and on the property map of the Old City. The Historian attended the annual meeting of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association in Louisville, Kentucky, where the work of the Commission was spoken of with appreciation. She made one talk on the work of the Commission in Germantown; and conducted a walking tour through the Old City for a group of the alumnae of Wilson College. Forty additional slides of certified buildings have been acquired by the Commission. The Commission set up a conference, May 17, 1960, to consider the marking of historic sites and buildings in Philadelphia. This was attended by Dr. Stevens of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, by Dr. Kurjack, Dr. Nelligan, and Mr. DeSilets of the National Park Service, Mr. Simon, Mr. Williams and Mrs. Tinkcom represented the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The report is attached. Three scholars, Mr. Wollock working on the New Theater; Mr. Ennis working on Latrobe and Walter and Mr. Kunle, who is studying Philadelphia Squares, came in to use material in the Commission's files; Mrs. Buchman sent in a copy of her report on hotels which is based in part on information she found here. Seventy-three persons consulted the Commission's files during the past month. Most of these were owners interested in the history of their houses. Mr. Murphy of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation has been supplied with the historical background for the houses in Unit I which the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation is marketing; and Mr. Paxter was given a brief report on the Center Square Water Works and on Mr. Graff, engineer of Fairmount Water Works. Dr. Tinkcom's report was
Development Corporation has been supplied with the historical background for the houses in Unit I which the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation is marketing; and Mr. Paxter was given a brief report on the Center Square Water Works and on Mr. Graff, engineer of Fairmount Water Works. Dr. Tinkcom's report was approved as read. REPORT OF THE HISTORIC VALUES COMMITTEE Dr. Nichols read the report of his Committee, which is attached. REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE Mr. Trautwein reported on his Committee, a copy of which is attached. Mr. Trautwein also reported on a proposal made by Mr. Peterson that the Historical Commission commend the purchasers of Stafford's Tavern for their interest in preserving this building as a non-profit enterprise. A copy of a letter from Mr. Wilhelm F. Knauer to Mr. Von Moshzisker was circulated. It was the opinion of the members present that such a commendation would establish a precedent. It was suggested by the Chairman that the Commission wait until the plans for the restoration are completed. Mr. Williams moved that Mr. Trautwein's report be approved and that Mr. Peterson's recommendation be tabled. The Motion was seconded and unanimously approved. THE MINUTES -3- May 31, 1960 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Fire Equipment for the Head House Mr. Carroll reported that a letter had been sent to Mr. Wallace of The National Park Service, saying that after the first of July the Head House will be ready to receive the offered equipment. It was moved and seconded that Mr. Carroll's report be approved. Demolition by Neglect Mr. McDowell reported that the Mayor's Cabinet was in session at this time and that the ordinance to control Demolition by Neglect is on the agenda of the meeting. The matter was tabled until a later meeting. NEW BUSINESS UNIT II., the Redevelopment Authority It was reported that 75 certified houses in Unit II. are scheduled for demolition. It was recommended that the map of this area be marked to show which houses are to be demolished. The matter was tabled for the next meeting. Second and Delancey Streets The plan for the proposed new two and a half story dwellings, designed by Mr. Joshua Fish, Architect, was circulated. The Chairman pointed out that this is a courtesy on the part of the architect, since the Commission has no jurisdiction over new structures. The ground plan and elevations were considered attractive. Historic Markers, See attached
two and a half story dwellings, designed by Mr. Joshua Fish, Architect, was circulated. The Chairman pointed out that this is a courtesy on the part of the architect, since the Commission has no jurisdiction over new structures. The ground plan and elevations were considered attractive. Historic Markers, See attached Report It was the concensus that the Commission is not equipped to take the responsibility for erecting historical markers. It was recommended that this Commission urge the State Historical & Museum Commission to assume the responsibility for erecting such markers with the understanding that the Commission will cooperate to the extent of its powers. This recommendation was properly moved, seconded and approved unanimously. Printed Reminders of Stated Meetings It was moved, seconded and carried that notices of stated and other meetings be sent earlier in the month to members of the Commission and that a printed postcard be sent as a reminder at least a week before the meeting. The Chairman relinquished the Chair to report on a matter of interest to himself: 5448 and 5450 Germantown Avenue Through a technicality, 5448 was not certified. Its stucco is being removed. 5450 is certified. It is proposed that windows of appropriate design be installed and the stone washed. These changes were approved. The meeting was adjourned at five o'clock. Respectfully submitted &c.... Charles E. Peterson, Secretary