Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-03
HORACE WELLS SELLERS
On Restoration Of Old Buildings

TIME oblitcration of historic landmarks,
i buildings that are records in mortar and
stone. is one result of the change in the
homogeneity of population in tn" country
but should be avoided at all costs. according
10 Horace Wells Sellers. chairman of the
Committee on Preservation of Historical
Monuments and Scenic Beauties of the
American Institution of Architects.
Mr.. Sellers. a Philadelphia architect, de-.
cared today such buildings show the social
life and taste of the times in which they
were built and give reality TO historic events
THE state House. or Independence Hail.
and the adjacent buildings, Congress Hall
and the original City Hall on Independence
Square" he said. comprise in one SYM
metrically balanced group three structures
representing in historic associations and
significance the municipal, state and Fed
eral Government, and are collectively idcn-
tilted with the founding of the Republic.
'Whcn preserved in its original appear
ance and devoted solely to the commcmo-
ration Of the notable events and personages
with which It has been associated, this
ancient landmark gives reality to history
and stimulates patriotism.
Matter of National Concern
Thus viewed. the condition and aspect
of the buildings on Independence Square are
n matter not only of local but of national
concern, and in recognition of this and of
the responsibility that rests on Philadelphia
hN CUSTODIAN OF tnlS historic monument, rH'
Philadelphia Chapter of the American In
sttutc Of Architects has, from time to time.
rendered and contributed its services to tho
municipality as a public duty within its
function as a technical society qualified to
consider tho problems which the, restoration
of these buildings involves.
In pursuance to ordinances OF old Coun-
ellis in acceptance Of the advisory service
thus offered, tho restoration of Congress Hall
was accomplished In 1913. according to the
plans and under the supervision of the
chapter Committee on Preservation of His
toric Monuments followed in 1915 by the
improvements TO Independence Square as
designed by the committee to bring the in
closur" into architectural harmony with
the buildings
I'm like manner during 1916 the commit
tee was called on by ordinance of Councils
to supervise the survey of old City Hall
and, through the study of documentary cvi-
dence and physical conditions, to prepare
plans for the restoration of the building to
its original form when occupied by the Mayor
and Councils under the first City Charter.
and when also the seat of the Supreme Court
of the nited States prior to the year $500.
'While this survey was in progress the
services of the committee were extended by
Ordinanr" of Councils. approved Dcccmber
II, 1917, 10 include the supervision of n
complete survey of the State House, or In e
dependence Hall, in order to obtain an
| accurate record of its original construction
| as it now exists, and the result OF this sur
vey is represented by thirty drawings thus
prepared
Careful Research Made
"ln"idcnt To this search, the committee
! has made careful research and study OF
! documentary evidence. gathered from original
sources, az pertaining to the erection and
! subsequent changes in the construction OF
| the butldiug, and when an opportunity is
| afforded to make n physical examination OF
| the structure by removal of modern work
the committee will in accordance with agree
| ment, supervise the preparation OF the draw
| ings of such details as it would be desirable
and cXpedient 10 restore in harmony with the
original design and which details ar" now
at variance with the architecture OF the
| building.
"lhiadClphia was extremely rich in early
American architecture. as is the case with
all s"abonrd cities. The change III CONNER
cial ccntcrs ana the influx of immigration
which always nvRdes the old part of {
town, have resulted in a rapid destruction
Of buildings and rapid change in theil
character that is 10 be deplored.
I'm the case Of privately owned building
it. is hard to supervise them, and in the cast
where publicly owned buildings are involved
| it Is hard to convince the politicians tha
n professional man can have anything to dc
with public works and he willing to give hi
time and money for nothing without aI
ultcror motive. But the basic principle o
the Institute Of American Architects is L
render service TO thc public.
I'VE are now engaged In making surve
of the whole United States. But we fire.
nently meet with the situation that aros
IN Hartford, Conn, where the bociaiist