Wirt Wiley papers

Collection

Identifier: Y.USA.18

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

Wiley's papers include a biographical sketch, as well as a lengthy autobiographical manuscript. Numerous papers, speeches and notes on the YMCA in relation to communities, churches, rural youth, character education, boys work, and foreign work are also included. There is an extensive collection of correspondence, including correspondence with leaders in the Minneapolis and Rochester, New York associations; and correspondence with members of committees on which Wiley served, including the Historical Resources Committee and the YMCA Retirement Fund.

Dates

Creation: 1897-1970
Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1929-1950).

Creator

Wiley, S. Wirt (Samuel Wirt), 1878- (Person)

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.

BIOGRAPHY OF WIRT WILEY

Wiley grew up on a farm near Peoria, Illinois. He received his B.A. from Monmouth College in 1901 and an M.A. from Yale in 1902. Intending to be a minister, he was drawn to YMCA work by the prospect of active service to communities. He worked in the Chicago association for two years, after which he was offered the position of executive secretary of its central branch. He declined and chose rather to tour Europe and study social service agencies there. On his return to the U.S. in 1906 he became the general secretary of the Minneapolis association, a post he held until 1925. During his term, a finance campaign for a new building was conducted and the building was completed just in time to serve the soldiers coming back from World War I. During this period, he also took special assignments as director of publicity for the War Work Council (1917-1918) and as special commissioner for the International Committee to South America (1921).

From 1925-1929 he went to work for the YMCA National Council as associate general secretary of the Home Division. He became general secretary of the Rochester, New York association in 1929 and remained there until his retirement in 1939. He was also a trustee of George Williams College from 1919-1925 and of Springfield College from 1929-1940.

Extent

4.5 Cubic Feet (8 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers, primarily correspondence, documenting Wiley's work with YMCA history, the YMCA retirement fund, evangelical organizations outside of the YMCA and work within the YMCA's National Council, including reorganization.

ORGANIZATION/ARRANGEMENT OF THE RECORDS

These documents are organized into the following sections:

Personal Papers
Correspondence
Minneapolis YMCA
Evangelical Organizations
Historical Work
National Council Reorganization
Metropolitan General Secretaries
YMCA Retirement Fund, Inc.
Research Council
Constitutional Convention
General Papers

Processing Information:

Material in this collection was formerly catalogued as part of the YMCA Biographical Files.

Processed by: Chan Harries, October 2004.

Catalog Record ID number: 4470744