Historical Commission — Jan 30, 1962

FINAL APPROVAL PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE FIFTY-EIGHT MEETING OF THE PHILA. HISTORICAL COMMISSION January 30, 1962 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten Mrs. Richardson Dilworth Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, II. Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present: Mr. Philip Carroll, representing Commissioner Corleto Mr. Francis A. Lalley, Director of Finance Mr. Harry G. McDowell, Deputy Director of Finance Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Secretary Unless otherwise stated, all actions mentioned herein were taken after motions properly presented, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the November 28, 1961 Meeting were approved as read. REPORTS Committee on Historic Values, Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols, Chairman The report was approved and ordered filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Action taken on Dr. Nichols's report revolved around the following points: 1. Certification of a short list of buildings, as noted in his Report. 2. A Six Year Report, in pamphlet form, printed and illustrated, to be made available to the public; Dr. Tinkcom to prepare it. 3. A report on the Special Meeting, wherein it was recommended that a printed, signed, dated and City Seal-ed certificate be awarded to those property owners in Washington Square West and other similar areas of the City, who have maintained their certified buildings in a pleasant and suitable manner. Mr. Batten's exhibit of the proposed certificate was approved. Mr. Batten volunteered to have one thousand copies printed by N. W. Ayer & Son, Inc., and will present them to the Commission. Dr. Nichols, in summing up his report, stated that the Commission's files now contain material drawn from the vaults of the old fire insurance companies, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania, the Free Library, the Department of Records and many other sources. This material presents a basis for a history of [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: handwritten "FINAL APPROVAL" and date "27 Feb. 1962" with what appears to be initials below; stamp reading "PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION" with handwritten date notation] The Minutes 30 January, 1962 Page 2 Philadelphia Architecture, as well as being most valuable in the day by day functions of the Commission. Dr. Nichols pointed out that Philadelphia is unique in having this wealth of material assembled in one place where it can be consulted by architects, historians and others interested in the

Page 2 Philadelphia Architecture, as well as being most valuable in the day by day functions of the Commission. Dr. Nichols pointed out that Philadelphia is unique in having this wealth of material assembled in one place where it can be consulted by architects, historians and others interested in the history and restoration of the City's note- worthy old buildings. Architectural Committee, Mr. George K. Trautwein, Chairman The Report was approved and ordered filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Discussion on the historic value of 12 South Twelfth Street was postponed to a meeting of the Historic Values Committee, qualified to decide upon its possible certification. A request for a plaque has been received and reply to this request held in abeyance pending the Commission's action at a future date. Dr. Tinkcom's Report was approved as read and ordered to be filed. The Chairman reported on a luncheon of the Arch Street Business Men's Association at which he was a guest, and at the ceremony to install a plaque on Loxley Court, with particular emphasis on this occasion being evidence of the public's interest in historic preservation. NEW BUSINESS 422 South Front Street. Not certified. Mr. Peterson reported that measured drawings made by the Old Philadelphia Survey, under Mr. Sydney Martin in 1932, are on file in the Free Library. It was approved that a title search be made. Old Pine Street Center, a Presbyterian scheme for the Addison and Lom- bard Street houses. A brochure, illustrating a suggested development, with a home for the aged, a historical society building and a parish house, planned to replace about twenty-two certified buildings in the 400 block was circulated. Portsmouth, New Hampshire Urban Redevelopment. Mr. Peterson reported briefly on this and presented some illustrative material to the Com- mission for its files. 329 South Third Street. A brief report on the store front of this and a photograph for the file, from the National Park Service. Carolina Row. It was approved that titles be run on this group of Robert Mills's buildings as soon as possible in the 900 block on Spruce Street. The Commission went into Executive Session at four o'clock to permit a review of Mr. Peterson's talk in Georgetown, as reported in the Philadelphia SUNDAY BULLETIN of 14 January, 1962. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted Charles E. Peterson, Secretary