1010 Spruce Street - Charlotte Cushman Club - Interiors

I happened to find these gems recently. They are postcards for the Charlotte Cushman Club, which happened to be located at 1010 Spruce Street from 1920 to 1930. As I wrote in an earlier post, this was a home for traveling actresses and was named for "America's first internationally renowned actress". Unfortunately, much of the endowment for the club was invested and was lost in the Stock Market Crash of 1929. However, the club found it's footing again and relocated to 239 South Camac Street, where it remained until 2000.

Now, back to the postcards - What I find interesting, once you look past the furnishings, is that many of the original details remain. However, a few changes here and there have only altered it slightly. The front hall no longer has the center door on the left. All of the front buildings with the exception of 1014 & 1020, had a third doorway much like this one, but they were taken out and the openings covered over in the 1960's when Milton Hollander rehabbed the buildings into apartments. Also, the image in the center has changed very little with the exception of the overmantel. This item no longer exists, probably sold off years ago. I am going to speculate that this is perhaps the original circa 1837 overmantel. Typically, years ago, many of these old townhouses retained their overmantels far into the 20th century due to their huge size, and so they remained until they either were in disrepair or were sold to enthusiastic antique dealers. The room in this photo is what is now Unit #1F. An obvious change has been the addition of a loft adjacent to the righthand side of the fireplace.

The third photo identified as the "Library and Music Room", shows the current location of Unit #1M. What I find fascinating is the Peer Mirror between the large windows. Every front and back parlor of these buildings contained one as they were often found in 19th century townhouse such as this one. I also lament the disappearance of the cool ecclesiastical inspired pendant lights hanging in the hallway.

One has to wonder if these buildings can have the same appearance again, as it's interiors just gleam in these early photos.

Hidden Gem

During a kitchen renovation in early 1996, evidence of Post-Civil War Era wallpaper was discovered in the upper corner, near the ceiling, but below the picture rail, approx 18" below the crown moulding. It appears to be a greek key design with a floret design at the corner. Also discovered, but not shown in the photograph was the remnant of the large crown moulding with a dark purple color (most likely painted to resemble mahogany wood, as that was the style back then). It was necessary back in the 60's to chip away some of the crown moulding to make way for the kitchens and that is why this particular portion of wallpaper and paint were preserved, hidden behind the kitchen wall. The units on the first floor of the complex each have 14'-0" ceiling heights. The kitchens of these units are located in lofts, created by Milton Hollander and his architect Sherwin Rochlis during the 1964/65 renovation of the buildings. The photo with the student nurses shows the space as it appeared in the early 1950's. (It is now 1018/1M. 1018/1F is in the background). Obviously the large doorway has been sealed up long ago, and a loft was built with a kitchen and mini dining area. If memory serves me correctly, the ceiling height in the loft is 6'-6". The ceiling height under the loft is 6'-6" as well, where a powder room, two closets and the stairs leading down to the lower level bedroom & bathroom and generously sized closet is located.

The crown moulding in this particular building has ample proportions and is really quite stunning. I have posted a photo of the crown moulding as it has appeared for the last 170+ years. On an interesting note, the first floor unit in the front of 1018 Spruce building had it's kitchen design scaled down a few years ago, with only lower cabinets installed. The kitchen was designed by Architect Greg Berzinsky. Since there are no upper cabinets, the missing segment of crown moulding that had been taken down during the 1960's, was restored to it's original appearance.

Window & Interior Shutter Restoration

Here are a few photos taken during the window restoration in the first floor unit of the 1018 Spruce Street building. In 1994 & 95, the owner, Dennis Sharkey took it upon himself to finally unfold the long-sealed interior pocket shutters. concealed beneath years of paint layers. The process involved stripping away the paint with a heat gun and scraper. You will notice the interesting green paint color on the shutters once they've been unfolded from their pocket. Luckily, for this window, the shutters were intact. The other window was missing a few shutters and they had to be recreated. The lower doors were painted shut as well and were eventually freed by stripping away layers of paint. Unfortunately, a later homeowner replaced the window sash and modified the lower doors, which rendered them useless. You can refer to an earler post (July 12, 2009 "Window Detail"), where I've discussed it more and have posted photos of the finished windows.

Remembrance of Things Past

I wanted to ask everyone who reads this blog to see if you know of anyone who might have photos or stories they can share. More importantly, relating to the complex when it was student dorms of Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing (1922 -1958) or The Hollander House Apartments (1965 -1981). I seem to have hit a wall when it comes to finding more information. If I can find anything from the 19th century, that would be fabulous too.

In the past 8 years or so, in my research, I have sorted through the files at the Philadelphia Historic Commission, located at City Hall, as well as the Athenaeum on Washington Square, the archives of Jefferson University and a few others. The City of Philadelphia's Licenses & Inspections yielded very little information, as any drawings pertaining to Strickland Row have gone missing. Last year, I spoke with the son of Milton Hollander, to see if he could help me locate any photos or drawings from the 1960's during the rehabilitation of the complex. Luckily, Milton Hollander is very much alive, but no longer had any photos or documents from that era. He had tossed them many years ago. After all, it was 45 years ago. You can imagine how devastating that news was to me. I even spoke with Joseph Moss, the developer who was instrumental in the conversion of Hollander House Apartments into Strickland Row Condominium. Unfortunately, he no longer had any materials in his possession.

So, as you can see, as time passes by, we lose a little more in the way of history. We are also losing memories as people age or pass away. I feel that our complex is unique and should be preserved as there are no others like it. I've seen enough condominium rehabs in Center City stripped of their original detail, which I find heartbreaking. Especially, since most are recent and hastily done because it's easier and less expensive to demolish the interiors of these beautiful structures and start from scratch. Developers and misguided contractors who simply don't appreciate or respect what has been there for 100 years or more. I am hoping to gather as much data as possible to pass on to future residents and not leave it up to speculation.

As you might have noticed, my posts have been few and far between. It's not for lack of interest or laziness. I have simply run out of topics. Any help would be greatly appreciated. So, please pass the word.

Thanks, JDW

Strickland Row Unit Featured on Design Blog

http://www.atticmag.com/2010/08/condo-kitchen-in-disguise/


1012/3F kitchen featured on AtticMag, a design blog.

A new way to live in the city............

"Imagine an arched brick entry . . . a courtyard . . . sheltering trees . . . a swimming pool . Think of spacious living rooms . . . marble fireplaces . . . carved moldings . . . hardwood floors . . . sweeping cathedral ceilings. And see it all, have it all - right here at STRICKLAND ROW CONDOMINIUMS" .

For the first years of Strickland Row's condominium conversion -beginning 1981, until the mid-1990's, prospective buyers and buyers of units received a burgundy colored folder (that contained the condo documents) with a photo on the front advertising a clean, crisp & recently upgraded courtyard just inside the 1014 entrance - an oasis if you will. The image shows a newly brick paved entry with flowers in half barrel planters - "A new way to live in the city."

Not much in the photo has changed over the years except the pool has a legal fence around it, the trees and shrubs have matured and a certain shabbiness has crept in. Of course it goes with living in aging complex. A certain kind of person will look beyond the cracks, peeling paint and cobwebs and see it's real beauty and elegance. To me, it's home.

1014 Spruce Street - History of a Wilson Eyre Jr. Facade

One can easily notice the facade of the 1014 Spruce Street building is unique in the row of townhouses that make up the complex that is Strickland Row. As it is now, this particular building contains, on the lower floor, the entrance to the main courtyard. The upper two floors contain living spaces for two units.

Many years ago, before this complex had been rehabbed into units for the Hollander House Apartments (mid 1960's), there was plenty of discussion back and forth as to who designed this building. Initially, it had been thought of as being designed and built by Frank Furness when really, Wilson Eyre Jr. was found to be the architect of 1014 Spruce. Even now, people still name Furness in error as the architect. I find this particularly sad as Eyre had his office and home just across the street at 1003-05 Spruce Street. Is Eyre's personal history not recent enough for those people to comprehend? His architectural legacy can be seen all over the city. He had only passed away a few years earlier in 1944.

In 1958, the buildings 1008 through 1020 Spruce Street lay vacant. The Jefferson student nurses having departed for the new dormitory at 11th and Walnut Streets. The complex that made up what would become Hollander House and finally Strickland Row would be put up for sale.

A letter to the Historic Commission, dated October 21, 1958 from an unidentified person indicates they were beginning to realize it hadn't been Furness who designed the 1014 Spruce structure, but Wilson Eyre Jr. They just didn't connect all the dots yet. This letter went;

""Mrs K. called. Has turned up interesting item that W. Caspar Wistar,MD and Caspar Wistar MD, both lived in the 1300 block on Arch Street between 1850 and 1890. Confusing. She hoped to find that one or the other lived in 1014 Spruce, which says is the Furness house. Ugly anyway. Can we take interior photographs of this; it will come down fairly soon.""

You have to laugh at the ignorance. "Ugly anyway"??. Too funny.

In 1960, Milton Hollander had expressed interest in purchasing this row of buildings. A letter to a Harry Batten, Chairman of the Board for N.W. Ayer & Son, located on Washington Square from Seth Selzer of Richard J. Selzer Inc., Realtors, and dated July 22, 1960 indicated that Milt Hollander wanted to purchase the row of buildings and make several changes, one of these changes was to create a "Colonial Court entrance to to high-rise building." They mean, of course, altering the Eyre designed 1014 Spruce Street entrance and allowing access to the back 1014 building facing Cypress Street.

During the preliminary planning stage, there had been some excitement as the Historic Commission indicated in a letter dated November 14, 1960.

""We believe the change in use and the care in which you adapt and restore the buildings will be greatly to the advantage of the neighborhood as well as serving to enhance the value of the buildings themselves.""

However, the correspondence changed from a cordial and friendly tone back in 1960 when its was only in it's planning stages to one that began to get a little tense between Hollander and the all parties involved in the changes that would occur to the 1014 Spruce Street facade. By 1966, they were unhappy with the treatment of the 1014 Eyre facade.

""The plan called for an open arch at 1014., giving access to the courtyard and the buildings that opened on it. The other buildings facing Spruce Street were to be restored to their original condition as far as the facades are concerned. It has been reported that the archway is being filled in with concrete blocks and that a doorway, inappropriate for the period of this house designed by Wilson Eyre, is now being introduced in this new wall.""

Now, during the time this process had been going on, a student by the name of Elizabeth Walton had authored an M.A. thesis in 1962 on Eyre, which had proven Wilson Eyre Jr. had in fact designed the 1014 house for Rodman Wistar in 1887. So, as it was noted in that 1958 letter, as to how Caspar Wistar was connected to this house somehow. Rodman Wistar is descended from the prominent Philadelphia Wistar Family from which Caspar is included.

The trouble incurred by Hollander's alteration of the 1014 Spruce Street facade finally came to be resolved, although, there really wasn't too much of a compromise on his part, as his only concession was to stucco over the concrete block within the arched entrance.

In a letter dated, July 19, 1966 to Milton Hollander from Dr, Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian (probably a staff member of the Historic Commission), says;

"" This will confirm our telephone conversation of July 15, 1966, regarding the treatment of the lower part of the facade of 1014 Spruce Streets.

As agreed, the cinder block area will be stuccoed in the color compatible with the original upper floors of this building. The stucco may be scored to reproduce the effect of the design of the Wilson Eyre front.

The present door will be replaced by one of the more appropriate style. It's location will also be studied in order to bring the whole facade into harmony with Eyre's design.

As I reported, the Philadelphia Historical Commission has considerable material on Wilson Eyre which shall be glad to make available to your architect when he returns from his vacation. I am sure that he will be able to come up with a plan that will meet your needs and satisfy the Philadelphia Historical Commission as well.""

In a January 9, 1966 Philadelphia Inquirer article by a Daniel O'Leary about Hollander House Apartments, titled "Doomed Buildings Saved By New Look", 1014 Spruce is still mistakenly identified as being designed by Frank Furness. Who knows where the writer for the article got his information.

Still, the changes made to 1014 Spruce would require a massive restoration project to bring it back to its former beauty. One can hope though. The second half of the 20th century had not been kind to this dwelling, so perhaps things will change in this century.