WHEREAS, The Hamilton Hall and Furness Hall are the oldest buildings along South Broad Street and have been dedicated to arts-centered uses since 1893. In 1894, the buildings became the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Arts, after a citywide campaign to keep the buildings for use as institutions of art and education, rather than commercial activity. Journalists at the time called the continuation of the arts at Hamilton Hall “a critical opportunity in the history not only of this institution, but of Philadelphia itself.” and
WHEREAS, In 1979, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission developed and confirmed a Declaration of Covenants between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia College of Art, to preserve the architectural and historic integrity of Hamilton and Furness Halls, and to commit the buildings to use for public benefit, for 20 years; and
WHEREAS, Since 1893, Hamilton and Furness Halls have served as centers for art-education and expression and in 1994, were transferred to the University of the Arts for a nominal fee of $1, ensuring their continued use for arts-related purposes; and
WHEREAS, Today the Philadelphia City Council passionately supports the preservation of these iconic buildings as spaces for artists and the arts community, thereby upholding the more than 130-year legacy of arts and education at this historic location; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby calls for the preservation of
Hamilton Hall and Furness Hall
at 320 S Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19102
as vital spaces for the arts.
End