THE THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION November 24, 1959 Present were: Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Charles E. Peterson, Secretary Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Harry G. McDowell, Deputy Director of Finance Mr. Philip Carroll, Administrative Assistant to Commissioner Gennetti Mr. George I. Lovatt, City Architect Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary Unless otherwise stated, all actions reported herein were taken after motions that were properly presented, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES for October 27, postponed to November 2nd, were approved as corrected. DR. TINKCOM'S REPORT: The Commission's budget of $12000 for Professional Services for the coming year is just sufficient to keep the present staff at work. Contracts will be prepared for Mrs. Kirkbride in the amount of $3,600 at an hourly rate of $3.00, as approved by the Commission last April; and for Mr. Fuller in the amount of $2,500 at $2.50 per hour. Mrs. Kirkbride will continue with the study of records at the Contributorship, having just finished those of the Reliance Insurance Company. Mr. Fuller will prepare briefs for houses certified in Washington Square West, as he has done for Washington Square East. He will also make a list of the wills and inventories, copies of which should be added to the Commission's files. Miss Rudolph will continue to explore 18th century newspapers and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's print collection. Her honorarium for the year will be $750.00. Mr. Robbins has been asked to submit his proposal for compiling and drawing ten sheets of architectural details used in the Philadelphia area from 1750 to 1850, to guide owners and architects engaged in restoring old buildings in this city. Mr. Robbins's fee will be $1,000. Hitherto the staff has been busy collecting records - briefs of title, insurance surveys, deeds, town newspapers, maps, photographs and other graphic materials. Now we hope to have an opportunity to correlate our findings. The first such project should be the completion of the thirty reports now being prepared for the Historic American Buildings Survey and the filling out of the briefer Historic American Buildings Inventory forms for another hundred of the City's buildings. Both HABS reports and HABI forms will be filed in the Library of Congress. Copies of Mr. Brumbaugh's report on Fort Mifflin, prepared for the Greater Philadelphia Movement were brought to the Commission's attention. The Historian
the briefer Historic American Buildings Inventory forms for another hundred of the City's buildings. Both HABS reports and HABI forms will be filed in the Library of Congress. Copies of Mr. Brumbaugh's report on Fort Mifflin, prepared for the Greater Philadelphia Movement were brought to the Commission's attention. The Historian THE MINUTES -2- Nov. 24, 1959 Dr. Tinkcorn's Report, continued reported that the Greater Philadelphia Movement is thinking of studying Bertram's garden, with the idea of making it more attractive to visitors. The Old Philadelphia Development Corporation has requested information on the owners of the certified houses in Washington Square East, Unit I. This information will be used to attract buyers for the houses whose owners do not or cannot, rent them. THE HEAD HOUSE: The historian reported that an inventory of the fire fighting equipment now displayed in the Old City Hall and available for use in the Head House, was received from Mr. David Wallace of the National Park Service. Since the restoration of the Head House will be completed in about three months, the question of who will be responsible for this building was discussed at some length. Mr. Carroll was asked to explore this and to find out what will be the Commission's responsibility to the Head House, before the equipment is considered for exhibition there. As the restoration of the Head House was the first business of the Commission upon its creation, Mr. Lovatt was asked to write a memorandum reporting on the contracts and subcontracts let and the plans made for the use of the building, in order that the Commission may have a complete record of its work on this project. DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT: Mr. McDowell reported that he has not yet received from the New Orleans administration the information requested regarding that city's experience with their ordinance. The matter will, therefore, be held over until the next meeting SCHUYLKILL ARSENAL: The General Services Administration has advertised the Arsenal for sale, and asked for bids on this property in January, 1960. Mr. Carroll proposed that a letter be written to the General Services Administration, asking that a part of this property, containing the original buildings (dating about 1800) be turned THE MINUTES -3- Nov. 24, 1959 SCHUYLKILL ARSENAL continued over to the City as a gift, on the understanding that they would be properly restored. It was further suggested that Dr. Tinkcom's report
Administration, asking that a part of this property, containing the original buildings (dating about 1800) be turned THE MINUTES -3- Nov. 24, 1959 SCHUYLKILL ARSENAL continued over to the City as a gift, on the understanding that they would be properly restored. It was further suggested that Dr. Tinkcom's report be sent with the letter. HAMILTON HOUSE, 61st & Cobbs Creek Boulevard Mr. Peterson reminded this Board that the house has been photographed for the Historic American Buildings Survey and that Mrs. John Frederick Lewis is interested in the structure. If the building is demolished, the woodwork will be removed by the Board of Education and Mrs. Lewis will store it until needed. Mr. Peterson said that in his opinion there is little hope that the house will be saved. It was suggested that Mr. Obermayer's letter stating that the School Board will consider the Commission's request that the Hamilton House be pre- served, be acknowledged, stating that as this is an unusually complete historic structure both in mass and actual detail, it would be ideal for use by the public schools in teaching American History. PLAQUES FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS A draft of a certificate to be issued by the Philadelphia Historical Commission authorizing owners of certified houses to obtain a plaque for them was read. It was the concensus that the plaque should be displayed in a prom- inent position and at a sufficient distance from the ground to prevent defacing or looting. NEW BUSINESS WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST: Dr. Tinkcom reported that photographs of 107 buildings have been circulated among the members of the Commission. All have been approved for certification by Messrs. Simon, Williams and Batten. Mr. Peterson has not yet had an oppor- tunity to study the photographs sent to him and therefore could not voice his THE MINUTES -4- Nov. 24, 1999 WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST continued his opinion at this time. Mr. Dilworth was not present to comment. The Chairman asked for a motion that these buildings be certified pending Mr. Peterson's and Mrs. Dilworth's approval. This was done. Mr. Peterson reported that the Abercrombie House, 272-274 South Second Street, which is two hundred years old this wrk, is being considered by the Sons of the American Revolution as a headquarters for their organization. Mr. Peterson also reported that salvage from the St. James Street houses will be stored in the Ross House, Second and Pine
272-274 South Second Street, which is two hundred years old this wrk, is being considered by the Sons of the American Revolution as a headquarters for their organization. Mr. Peterson also reported that salvage from the St. James Street houses will be stored in the Ross House, Second and Pine Streets, through the courtesy of Mr. Lawrence M. C. Smith, and that Mrs. Kirkbride, acting as a private citizen, has made the arrangements for preserving the fittings from these houses. CERTIFICATION OF 117 and 119 LOMBARD STREET The Commission resolved to certify these two houses and the office staff directed to notify the Department of Licenses and Inspections. SUBMISSIONS: The Busti Mansion A letter from Mr. Paul Harbeson of Harbeson Hough Livingston and Larson was read agreeing to restudy the details of this mansion. Blue prints of the proposed use of the fragment of "Kirkbride's" as a garden form in the recreation area were reviewed. 242, 244 Delancey Street The drawing submitted by Mr. Fridtjof Tobiessen, A.I.A., was approved subject to the submission of a full size drawing of the penteave and a statement showing precedent for the design and number of the dormers. It was resolved that Mr. Tobiessen be complimented for his excellent drawing. THE MINUTES -5- Nov. 24, 1959 SUBMISSIONS continued 246, 248 Delancey Street Mr. Peterson was asked to talk to Mr. Betz the architect, regarding an improved design for the penteave. 223 Monroe Street The Commission recommended that the existing cornice be repaired and not replaced with a brick cornice, as requested in the application. VARIANCES: A Motion was made that the Commission initiate appropriate action to make legal the replacement with the same materials and designs, of all original interior and exterior details in all certified buildings (excluding roofing materials, but including penteave shingles). This Motion was accepted. The Chairman was asked to discuss this with the Hon. Victor E. Moore and request him to present the Motion to City Council. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted Charles E. Peterson, Secretary The following buildings were certified by the Philadelphia Historical Commission on 24 November 1959 Pine Street 820 822 824 826 905 907 911 913 917 919 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1030 1019 Lombard Street 811 937 939 941 943 1021 1023 2011 1025 2015 2027 2021 2023 2025 1237 1239 1241 1243 1245 1247 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Several
on 24 November 1959 Pine Street 820 822 824 826 905 907 911 913 917 919 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1030 1019 Lombard Street 811 937 939 941 943 1021 1023 2011 1025 2015 2027 2021 2023 2025 1237 1239 1241 1243 1245 1247 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Several checkmarks (✓) appear in the margin: one next to "Pine Street" and one next to "Lombard Street" at the top of the document. Multiple addresses on the Lombard Street list have diagonal slash marks (/) through them, appearing to cross out or mark: 811, 937, 939, 941, 943, and the numbers in the two middle columns (1021, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023, 2025, and 1023, 1025, 2027). The addresses 1237, 1239, 1241, 1243, 1245, 1247 also have diagonal slashes through them.] The following buildings were certified by the Philadelphia Historical Commission on 24 November 1959 Walnut Street 808 830 832 912 918 920 Spruce Street 913 922 925 935 937 939 1027 1012 1033 1018 1102 St. James Street 1220-1222, including Sharp's Avenue Irving Street 924 926 928 930 932 1026 1028 1030 Panama Street 1219 1221 1223 1225 1227 1200-1202 (338 S. 12th) 1208 1210 Lantern Square (1212 Panama St.) 1214 1216 1218 1220 Locust Street 811 813 821 829 SE corner Locust and 10th Sts. (235 S. 10th St.) 1037 1020 1022 1112 1114 1116 1122 1124 1201 Waverly Street 900 902 904 906 908 910 912 914 916 918 920 922 1001/1004 1018/1018 1011/1011 1020/1020 1015/1015 1022 1022 1021/1021 1024 1024 1023 1026 1026 1025 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Bottom right corner: Multiple handwritten annotations showing address numbers with fractions and corrections: "1001/1004 1018/1018" "1011/1011 1020/1020" "1015/1015 1022 1022" "1021/1021 1024 1024" "1023 1026 1026" "1025" These appear to be margin notes or corrections to the printed addresses listed above them.]