Evening journal., 1917-07-24
HEAR SOMEBODY IS
AFTER Library SITE
Plan for Removal OF Histor-
ical Society Building to
Park Drive
WOMEN INTERESTED
INPRESERVING 1T

Having heard reports that somebody
other than the board OF managers OF
the Institute Free Library is trying
10 purchase the First Presbyterian
Church and part OF the adjoining
churchyard-the site not yet having
been acquired for the proposed new
public library--a joint committee rep
resenting the Colonial Danes and the
Society OF Colonial Wars conferred
today with members Of the Park Com
mission relative to removing the old
building to park land. II was ex-
planned that IL was the desire OF both
organizations to remove the old struc-
ture. built in 1740, TO some place
where Il could remain forever. IL
was explained that while workmen
are now preparing 10 remove the
building to a site adjoining the First
Presbyterian Church, there was a
likelihood that the site OF the church
might. be used for commercial pur-
poses In the near future.
The societies are interested In the
preservation Of the building and ask
ed that Il be placed on the plot or
! land at Fifteenth and Market streets
! one Old Soldiers Park or az Park
/ Drive and West streets. along the
Brandywine. Il was stated by Samuel
| H. Baynard. OF the Board. that citi-
/ zens objected TO the structure being
placed az the two places mentioned.
Mrs. Charles r. Miller explained
/ that the societies had committees a.
work raising a fund OF $4,000 TO
move the structure and to restore the
! building to its original condition. II
| was also stated tina. the two societies
would have 10 know something def
mite by Saturday Of this week. as the
underpinning now being placed under
the Historical Society Building would
be completed at that time and tho
| contractors would be ready TO move
the ancient structure then.
IL was suggested that The building
be placed in the park in East Twelfth
street, from Market to King. but this
site was found 20 be too narrow. II
was the opinion of all those az the con
ference that the building should bs
placed as near the center of the city
as possible. where it would not have C
be moved again.
After hearing the women the parl
commissioners approved the plan Of 10
eating it at Brandywine Park Drive ane
West street. providing City Counci
would sanction the use Of the land, ant
James W. Robertson, chairman Of th'
finance committee, who was present
said that the women could confer witt
Council at 0.30 O'Clock tomorrow night
and he felt confident that Council woull
comply with their request. Anon
those at the conference were Mr.
Charles r. Miller. Mrs. George 7
. HoHecker. Mrs. Charles G. Rumfor'
Christopher I. Ward, Councilma
Robertson and the park commissioner
. One OF the men interested In tn
9 project 10 remove the Historical 81
e ciety building TO some other site sal
e he had no definite knowledge ths
s somebody other than the library mar
] ayers was trying to buy the churc
q site, but reports 10 that effect Ia
2 been received. and the patriotic 81
! cieties thought Il was time to hav
r some definite understanding as 10
Q permanent location for the ancien
1 building. Just who was reported I
i be trying to buy the church he coul
D not say.