PRESERVATION MATTERS The newsletter of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Philadelphia Region’s Most 2003 Most endangered endangered historic properties HISTORIC PROPERTIES Every year, preservation organizations around group of preservation professionals, we selected Since many of the buildings and sites that 1. The Lazaretto the country identify the most endangered prop- nine sites to designate for 2003. did not make our final list are also noteworthy Quarantine Station, erties in their region. This practice was begun and deserving of preservation, we include a Tinicum, Delaware Co. by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Previous endangered buildings lists for brief listing of other nominations in the hope in 1988 with the goal of bringing to public Philadelphia included many large landmark that this will help groups concerned with these 2. North Philadelphia Historic attention historic sites that are threatened by buildings like the US Naval Home, the Victory sites gain support for their preservation. Neighborhood Blocks Building and the Boyd Theater. It is interesting neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate 3. Germantown Town Hall development or insensitive public policy. In to note that this year’s list of nominations As well as identifying endangered properties, Philadelphia, the annual list was initiated by includes fewer properties of such stature, many we are also suggesting active steps that could 4. Historic Farmhouse, the Preservation Coalition, and is being revived of which are located in adjacent counties rather save them. The Alliance intends to follow-up Kingsessing by the Preservation Alliance to focus advocacy than within the city of Philadelphia. This is a on these suggestions and to include these sites and education efforts on vulnerable historic reflection of the recent progress that has been in our advocacy efforts for the coming year. 5. Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park sites that are important to the city and region. made on preserving many of Philadelphia’s formerly endangered landmark properties We are grateful to the Samuel S. Fels Fund for 6. Christ Temple Church, To arrive at the final list, the Alliance solicited (see our Fall 2003 newsletter). It also reflects a a grant that supported this effort, and to all the North Philadelphia nominations from historic preservation and shift of preservation concerns from individual organizations and individuals who responded to our request for nominations. 7. Uptown Theater, community organizations throughout the city. landmark buildings, often in Center City, to a North Philadelphia Nominations ranged from residential buildings, greater awareness of the preservation issues that to churches and public buildings, as well as threaten the types of buildings that make up John Andrew Gallery 8. Church of Christ, bridges and objects related to the history of a the fabric of the city and its neighborhoods, Executive Director West Philadelphia particular neighborhood. With the help of a especially residential and religious. 9. Sleighton School Campus, Glen Mills, Delaware Co. The Lazaretto Wanamaker Avenue at 2nd Street, Tinicum, Delaware County from Saint Lazarus, an early Christian who gave there is an active marina on the property, the aid to lepers.) Thousands of quarantined passen- Lazaretto, like any unoccupied building, is gers were detained at the Lazaretto’s hospital, and susceptible to vandalism, fire, and deterioration. many diseased immigrants were returned to their native lands having set foot in the new world only Solution: Tinicum Township has received $200,000 at the Lazaretto. in state funds for the preservation of the Lazaretto and has garnered the support of a wide array of Five structures survive from the early days of the local citizens and preservationists including the Lazaretto: a brick stable and shed, a waterfront National Park Service, the National Trust for watch house, the chief physician’s house, and the Historic Preservation, Delaware County, and the main hospital and administrative building. This Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Georgian-style structure, built in 1799, features a (PHMC). A committee formed to explore strate- central block and symmetrical flanking wings— gies to save and restore the landmark concluded topped by a hip roof and cupola— similar in style that major fundraising efforts to acquire and to Pennsylvania Hospital and Independence Hall. restore the property would be limited until a re-use “It retains a remarkable amount of integrity and feasibility study could determine the courses of original material,” says Preservation Alliance action most likely to succeed. Initially supportive associate director Randy Cotton, including double- of the feasibility study, the current owners now will hung 12-over-12 window sashes, wide-board pine not allow access to the property and state that they floors, marble mantelpieces, paneled doors, and are only interested in an outright, unconditional handsome moldings. sale of the Lazaretto for $3,500,000. There are two reasonable preservation strategies at this point. Threat: Since being bought by private developers, First, the property owners should consent to the Island Marine Partners, in 2000, the Lazaretto has feasibility study by granting access to the property been threatened with demolition for redevelop- in the expectation that the study will result in a ment as either remote parking for Philadelphia viable acquisition and re-use plan that satisfies all International Airport or a new hotel and Photo by Will Stacey parties. Lacking that cooperation, a governmental restaurant. Tinicum Township has denied several entity, such as the Redevelopment Authority of Significance: Situated on 10 acres on the Delaware up the Delaware to Philadelphia were inspected applications for use variances, though it has no Delaware County or PHMC, should acquire the River in Tinicum Township just south of at the Lazaretto for communicable diseases such protective preservation ordinance in place. The property. The Lazaretto’s uniqueness, compelling Philadelphia International Airport, the Lazaretto as smallpox. owners have appealed the denials. There is history, and national significance deserve was the first quarantine station for the port of speculation, says Cotton, that the owners’ principal If infections were found, both cargo and passengers proactive, aggressive governmental action in t Philadelphia, and believed to be the last surviving interest may be in developing a riverfront casino he public’s interest. example of its type in the country. For nearly 100 would be quarantined at the Lazaretto’s then- should gambling be legalized in Pennsylvania. All years, the crews and passengers on ships coming isolated location. (The name "Lazaretto" derives the historic structures are vacant and although continued on page 3 winter 2003 www.preservationalliance.com 1 REGIONAL INITIATIVES Preservation Alliance Web Site Improved and Expanded New Search Tools for Regional Preservation Network and Restoration Directory Need a restoration mason to do work in geographic area, and/or organizational or contact region-wide activities to help the many suburban- Coatesville? Need information on a local historic name. Search results will provide a specific based preservation groups better communicate, district in Doylestown? Trying to find a historic organization’s mission, activities and programs, coordinate efforts, and collectively advocate for society in Darby? contact information, and a link to its web site. historic preservation. Thus a RPN user can find, for example, all the Then go to www.preservationalliance.com! historical societies in Delaware County, or the For example the Preservation Alliance, with numerous regional co-sponsors, is convening a The Alliance web site www.preservationalliance.com municipal contact information for historic districts in Lower Merion. November 21 workshop “How to Sell Historic continues to grow, adding new features to aid Preservation to a Skeptical Public”.The workshop preservationists in the southeast Pennsylvania Similarly, the “Regional Restoration Directory” is specifically designed for suburban preservation- region. Funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania (RRD) is a searchable database of more than 200 ists who continue to encounter indifference, even Historical and Museum Commission, web users contractors, professionals, and retailers who hostility to, and misperceptions about historic can now find preservation-affiliated organizations provide restoration services and products in the preservation by local township officials and and restoration services throughout Chester, five-county region. The RRD allows web searches taxpayers. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, as by trade, location, and /or firm or contact name. Tom Hylton – author of Save Our Land, Save Our well as Philadelphia. Towns – will be the featured workshop speaker. For more than fifteen years, the Preservation Along with the popular “What’s New?” (current Alliance has maintained an unofficial and unpub- This workshop topic – i.e., effectively promoting preservation stories) and the Events Calendar lished list of restoration service-providers, and now historic preservation as a civic value – was sections of the web site, the two new searchable much of that information is on-line! (It should be suggested by an ad-hoc committee of practicing databases will strengthen the Alliance’s ability to noted that the Alliance does