Committee on Historic Designation — Mar 27, 1967

The HISTORICAL VALUES COMMITTEE met, Monday, March 27, 1967, in Dr. Nichols' office at the University of Pennsylvania. Present: Dr. Nichols, chairman, and Dr. Tinkcom. The following buildings were recommended for certification: 1. The Inn at Valley Green 2. First Presbyterian Church of Kensington, 414-22 E. Girard Ave., erected 1858 3. The McNeill Foundation's new proposals relative to the Commission's request for a grant of $2,500. to continue its review of the Mutual Assurance Company insurance surveys to 1850 were discussed. The Foundation (anxious to have the abstracting of the surveys completed as soon as possible in order that the Historian can prepare for publication a summary article pointing out the scope and value of the surveys) has recommended that the four insurance companies whose records are involved be asked to contribute to the project. Aside from the probable reluctance of the insurance companies to approve such a request for funds, the proposal raises two other major problems: of staff, and of space. Five persons in addition to the Philadelphia Historical Commission research staff would probably be needed to complete by December, 1967, the review of all insurance surveys known to be available. Persons with suitable training and background will not be easily found. Further, the problem of staff will be complicated by the fact that the Philadelphia Historical Commission will presently be staffing two other special projects — the one for the Pennsylvania Archaeological Salvage Council, the other in relation to the Model Cities grant. It is the Committee's recommendation that these problems be discussed frankly with the McNeill Foundation and that the Philadelphia Historical Commission adhere to its original, more modest proposal. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top left corner: "House for Minute" (partially legible cursive handwriting)]