New York YMCA Board of Trustees records

Collection

Identifier: Y.GNY.50

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

The New York YMCA Board of TrRustees collections consists of audit reports, investment reports, minutes, organizational charts and graphs, bank statements, and treasurer's account statements.

Dates

1871-1990
Majority of material found within ( 1960-1980)

Creator

YMCA of Greater New York. (Organization)

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials:

This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright, ownership, and to obtain all the necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

HISTORY OF THE YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Young Men's Christian Association of the City of New York was established in 1852 to provide young men new to the city a Christian alternative to the attractions of city life. Organized in the Mercer Street Presbyterian Church, the New York YMCA first operated from several rented facilities in lower Manhattan. In 1869, the organization moved into a large building at East 23rd Street and Fourth Avenue designed by noted church architect James Renwick, Jr.

By 1865, the finances of the New York YMCA had become complex enough that a Board of Trustees was established to provide oversight of the organization's assets. The first Board of Trustees consisted of Frederick Marquand, James L. Stokes, Jonathan Sturges, Stewart Brown, Robert L. Kennedy, Charles C. Colgate, James K. Place, and Robert L. Stuart. The primary job of the initial board was to manage the real estate holdings of the organization. This management was not just financial; the board was directed to ensure that no intoxicating liquors or games of chance would be allowed on the properties they managed. Later trustees also oversaw endowments.

The Board of Trustees continued in this capacity until around 1990 (although without the initial prohibitions), after which it merged with the Board of Directors.