Harlem YMCA (135th Street) records
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The Harlem branch (135th Street) YMCA records consist of the minutes from the Board of Managers (1928-1992, non-inclusive), historical materials, public programs (including the Salute to Black Achievers in Industry dinners, 1971-1989), with limited additional material on fundraising and facilities.
Dates
- 1910-2014
- Majority of material found within ( 1928-1989)
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 HARLEM BRANCH (135th Street)
Organized in 1901 by Reverend C.T. Walker of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church as the "Colored Men’s" Branch, this branch first started in mid-Manhattan. It was later moved to the Harlem area and its name changed in 1919 to the One Hundred-Thirty Fifth Street Branch. In 1933 it opened a new building, and two years later took the name Harlem Branch, which had been used by another branch until 1933.
In the post World War II era the branch fostered a renaissance that sharpened the YMCA’s credo of "spirit, mind and body." Always a haven for writers, the Harlem Y gained recognition for its active theater program. During the same period athletics became a focal point as African American athletes made waves in professional sporting ranks. Religious and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited often, preaching his vision of equality and social justice.
The national fight for civil rights turned the branch’s eye towards poverty and urban issues that were effecting their membership and service population. Programs such as the Youth Enrichment Program, which dealt with drug abuse prevention; the Black Achievers’ Program, which highlights successful African Americans; and basketball programs all were different methods for producing role models for African American children to look up to and real methods to equip them with the tools to succeed in life.
Extent
2.25 Cubic Feet (8 boxes )
2.9 Megabytes (4 files)
Abstract
Collected materials from the African American Harlem Branch of the YMCA of Greater New York. This collection covers governance and public programming with special attention to the Black Achievers program, which honors African Americans who distinguish themselves from their peers in a positive way.
ORGANIZATION/ARRANGEMENT OF THE RECORDS
These documents are organized into the following sections:
- Governance
- History
- Programs and Membership
- Fundraising
- Facilities
Physical Location
See Detailed Description section for box listing.
Note on Language in the Collection and this Guide
Please note that some of the descriptive language found in this collection guide reflects and re-uses the words and ideas of the people and organizations that created the material. Historical records represent the opinions and actions of their creators and the society in which they were produced. This historical language was retained in cases where we believe it provides important context about the materials, is a Library of Congress Subject Heading, or is the official title of an item, organization, or event. As such, please be aware that this material and the guide describing it contains racial and other language and/or imagery that is outdated, offensive and/or harmful.
Processing Information:
Processed by: Todd Mahon, November 2004.
Catalog Record ID number: 4644261
- African Americans -- Employment Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African Americans -- New York (State) -- New York Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African Americans -- Social conditions Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Brochures Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Ephemera Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Harlem (New York, N.Y.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Harlem Branch YMCA
- Race relations -- Religious aspects Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young Men's Christian associations -- Administration Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young Men's Christian associations -- New York (State) -- New York Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK HARLEM BRANCH (135th STREET BRANCH):
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of Its Records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Todd Mahon.
- Date
- 2004
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Revision Statements
- 2021-12-27: Language was edited slightly to clarify that the outdated term "Colored" is being quoted from the original sources and included here for historical reasons. A content warning note was also added regarding language that was retained and may be found in the collection material.
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Kautz Family YMCA Archives Collecting Area
