The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-24

20 tear down the antiquated structure-a fate
which has not yet befallen 1t, but which cannot
much longer be averted
Nor are these the only changes which have
been made in the exterior and interior. The
rear windows of the northern wing have been
replaced by larger ones, and this portion is now
used as q saw mapufactory, while on the second
floor doorway has been cut, to which access
is had by means OF an outside stairway. This
upper story has for some past been used as
cabinet shop.
Who Have Owned the Mansion.
For more than century and half the pro-
perty remained in the same family-that of the
Norrises. Notwithstanding its antiquity II was
always held at a high figure, aud found no pur-
chaser In 1906, Miss Sally Norris Dickinson, at
that time the owner, refused to part with il and
the lot and building adjoining it on the south,
for less than S45,0O0. 1t remained in her pos.
session until her death, about fifteen years ago,
when it passed TO her sister, the widow of the
late DR.. Logan, of Germantown. On the death
of Mrs. Logan, few years since, this portion of
her estate fell to one of her sons, of whom 1t
was purchased in the spring of 1864 by Mr..
Charles Knecht. A few months since this gen.
tleman sold the property to the Chamber of
Commerce OF this city, and with them the title
is likely to remain for years to come.
Efforts to Preserve the Mansion a
Historical Relic
have been made from time to time within late
years, but they have all miscarried for some
reason or other. We believe that the subject
has more than once received the attention OF
our City Councils. A short time since the His
torical Society also took the matter in hand. A
committee was appointed to make an investiga-
ton, but that was the end of it as tar as they
were concerned.
The Chamber of Commerce, in purchasing the
property, together with severol lots adjoining it
on Second street. had in view the erection
thereon of large and handsome hall which is
intended for the use of the Corn Exchange.
The old mansion in Its present condition Is any
thing but useful or ornamental to the portion
OF the city in which it is situated. The only
means by which it could be saved intact from
the encroachments of business was by a re-
moval to some more appropriate locality. The
Chamber OF Commerce, therefore, as soon as
they acquired the property adopted the follow
ing resolution concerning it,
ReSooed, That the Board of Directors of the
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce tender to
the city OF Philadelphia, as free gift, the old
William Penn mansion, situated on their lot,
corner of Second and Gothic streets; provided
the city will agree to remove the same, and
place 1t Tor preservation on the grounds Of
Paramount Park.
This was communicated to the Mayor of the
city, and by him in turn TO the two branches of
Councils, who further disposed OF the subject
by referring it to the Committee on City
Property.
The Mansion Must Come Down.
survey of the building was then made, and
= L..
who have any interest in the history and growth
OF our city. 1t was found, on examination, that
the walls were much thicker than il is now the
custom of builders to make them; and this,
taken in connection with the fact that the NOR
tar was prepared so carefully and skilfully that
| 1t has acquired the hardness of stone, and ad-
heres to the bricks so tenaciously as to render
them virtually solid mass, renders its removal,
either piecemeal or as a whole an impossible
achievement. The Mayor has suggested that
enough material might be saved from the struc-
ture, when it is demolished, to construct of 1t
in the Park building smaller that the original
but on the same general plan. But even this
measure has been deemed impossible or incon-
| venient, on account Of it, solid construction
and so the old Penn Mansion, with all the rich
and interesting associations connected with its
! history, nuSJ Oe swept lllO the past.
The fate that thus awaits it is, indeed, to be
regretted on more than one account. The spirit
of our people is so intent upon present pros
| perity and future progress that we seem TO have
lost all sight of the landmarks of the past.
| Places of historic interest, which in the Old
| World would be regarded as shrines that might
not be profaned by commonplace and unholy
| uses, in this country are invaded in the thirst
for material growth as ru.hlessly as the prmeval
i forests. The spirit which watches with jealous
care over the spots made sacred by the lives
| and deeds of the illustrious dead, is one of The
surest tokens of deep and wholesome intel
lectual culture. Yet ii is spirit in which the
American people, as mass, are sadly deficient,
and we fear that the time is still far distant when
we shall be called upon to chronicle the evil
dence of change in this respect. more
earnest and determined effort than has yet been
made either by our city authorities, or by our
learned societies, to preserve for the benefit oil
posterity this rare old souvenir, would afford
substantial proof that our hearts and souls and
minds are not wholly given up to the graoping
after wealth and pleasures that have but q
momentary existence. We hope that such an
effort will yet be made. One by one the old
landmarks OF our city are passing from ouI
view, and if the old Mansion, in which Penn
lived, and wherein Washington was frequent
and honored guest, is to meet the fate which
has betallen so many of them, they will be
lessened in number by one, and that one moi
the least interesting and sacred of them all.
The New Chamber of Commerce
building