YMCA of Greater New York

By the 1880s, the YMCA had expanded its mission beyond that of a purely religious organization, including character building activities such as sports in its efforts to develop the whole man. New YMCA buildings included pools, gyms and bowling alleys. This focus on physical development had lasting effects on the Y and the larger culture. By the 1920s, the place of the YMCA in American sports and fitness was well-established, continuing to grow through the 20th century. New York YMCAs have been eager participants in the movement, often making a creative use of space to provide facilities for sports and athletics. Many "Y" branches in New York put their playing fields and courts on the roofs of their buildings. Others used public parks, schools and other community organizations to provide the opportunity to develop athletic skills. This commitment to sports and athletics continues in the 21st century, with new buildings, such as the new McBurney branch, increasing the proportion of their programs and space devoted to sports and athletics.

The YMCA of Greater New York was started in 1852 to provide young men new to the city the Christian support they needed to adjust to urban life. The organization evolved over time, responding to changing demographics and social customs. It formed separate branches for black members but ultimately integrated its buildings and programs. It admitted Jews in the 1920s and women by the 1940s into membership. It developed special programs for boys and youth. It dealt with issues of urban decay and drug abuse. As women entered the workforce, the YMCA of Greater New York designed camps, after-school programs and day care initiatives to address the needs of children affected by this societal change. It continued to reach out to those new to the city and developed programs for immigrants and non-English speakers. Although best known for its swimming instruction, the YMCA became a place where New York City residents could participate in a wide range of physical activities.

The YMCA of Greater New York is the amalgamation of several local associations in what later become the five boroughs of New York City. Shortly after its founding in 1852, the New York Association was joined by the Brooklyn Association, as well as by associations in Williamsburg, Staten Island, Greenpoint, New Utrecht, Harlem and on Grand Street and Varick Street -- all before 1869. In the years that followed, more YMCAs were formed as branches of the parent organizations of New York and Brooklyn. In addition, independent YMCA organizations merged with the New York or Brooklyn associations to become branches; both the New York and Brooklyn associations adopted the "metropolitan" model of organization by 1896. In addition to serving neighborhoods throughout New York, the YMCA established highly specialized branches. These included railroad branches for railroad men, branches for people of specific ethnicity or nationality, branches for college students and branches for members of the armed services.

The YMCA of Greater New York was started in 1852 to provide young men new to the city the Christian support they needed to adjust to urban life. The organization evolved over time, responding to changing demographics and social customs. It formed separate branches for black members but ultimately integrated its buildings and programs. It admitted Jews in the 1920s and women by the 1940s into membership. It developed special programs for boys and youth. It dealt with issues of urban decay and drug abuse. As women entered the workforce, the YMCA of Greater New York designed camps, after-school programs and day care initiatives to address the needs of children affected by this societal change. It continued to reach out to those new to the city and developed programs for immigrants and non-English speakers. Although best known for its swimming instruction, the YMCA became a place where New York City residents could participate in a wide range of physical activities.

The number of branches rose and fell, reflecting different economic conditions, shifting populations and increased mobility. In 2008, the YMCA of Greater New York had 18 branches and numerous service centers throughout the city and beyond. To accomplish its goals, the YMCA developed a flexible organizational structure that included paid and volunteer staff, boards and trustees. It often partnered with other non-profit organizations and public agencies to deliver services. It conducted fund drives and building campaigns and sold unneeded property to secure resources. It frequently worked with celebrities to promote programs and encourage public support. From its earliest days, the YMCA acknowledged the service of staff and volunteers with regular award dinners and events. It documented events such as these -- and many other events and programs -- with professional photographs.

From The YMCA at 150: A history of the YMCA of Greater New York, 1852-2002 by Pamela Bayless, 2002 and from Web sites.

The YMCA of Greater New York was started in 1852 to provide young men new to the city the Christian support they needed to adjust to urban life. The organization evolved over time, responding to changing demographics and social customs. It formed separate branches for black members but ultimately integrated its buildings and programs. It admitted Jews in the 1920s and women by the 1940s into membership. It developed special programs for boys and youth. It dealt with issues of urban decay and drug abuse. As women entered the workforce, the YMCA of Greater New York designed camps, after-school programs and day care initiatives to address the needs of children affected by this societal change. It continued to reach out to those new to the city and developed programs for immigrants and non-English speakers. Although best known for its swimming instruction, the YMCA became a place where New York City residents could participate in a wide range of physical activities.

The number of branches rose and fell, reflecting different economic conditions, shifting populations and increased mobility. In 2008, the YMCA of Greater New York had 18 branches and numerous service centers throughout the city and beyond. To accomplish its goals, the YMCA developed an organizational structure that included paid and volunteer staff, boards and trustees. It often partnered with other non-profit organizations and public agencies to deliver services. It conducted fund drives and building campaigns and sold unneeded property to secure resources. It frequently worked with celebrities to promote programs and encourage public support. From its earliest days, the YMCA acknowledged the service of staff and volunteers with regular award dinners and events. It promoted all these efforts using print, audio, and film and video, placing its promotional materials in journals and on radio and television.

In the 21st century, the YMCA sees itself as a community-building organization. It strives to maintain institutional flexibility so it can adjust to the changing needs of the people in the city of New York.

From The YMCA at 150: A history of the YMCA of Greater New York, 1852-2002 by Pamela Bayless, 2002.

The YMCA was established in New York 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 numerous rented facilities in lower Manhattan, including buildings at 659 Broadway, Astor Place, Waverly Place, Bible House, 161 Fifth Avenue and 3rd Avenue and 9th Street. In 1869, the New York YMCA moved into a large building constructed in the French Renaissance style. Thought to be the first purpose-built YMCA in the United States, the building was designed by notable church architect James Renwick, Jr. It included a large library and reading room, rooms for games, social parlors, a gymnasium, baths, a bowling alley, classrooms, lecture rooms and an auditorium. These features came to be standard at YMCAs throughout the country.

One of the most important events in the early history of the New York City YMCA was the appointment of Robert R. McBurney, first as librarian and later as secretary. Said to be the first paid YMCA secretary, McBurney was an immigrant from northern Ireland whose influence on the the development of the YMCA in New York was profound. For example, he helped the national headquarters of the YMCA of the USA locate permanently in New York; there was considerable overlap between the boards of the New York and national YMCA. McBurney was instrumental in developing the metropolitan concept of YMCAs that still operates today in large cities throughout the US. He organized and presided over early New York State conventions and reached out to influential and wealthy men in New York to support the work of the YMCA. The New York YMCA, in part because of McBurney's leadership, played an important role in the development of local and national social welfare organizations, including the Sanitary Commission, founded in New York in 1861; the U. S. Christian Commission, established in the same year by northern YMCAs to help troops and prisoners of war; the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, founded in 1876; and the White Cross Army, established in 1885 to promote personal purity among young men. The New York YMCA also supported and publicized the revivalistic work of evangelists such as Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey. When McBurney died in 1898, the New York YMCA had more than a dozen branches, including those devoted to serving railroad workers, French and German-speaking immigrants and college students. Although the number of branches and the outreach programs have changed to reflect shifting demographics and community needs, the YMCA in the 21st century provide services to millions of New Yorkers. During the early years of the YMCA in New York, the organization was also developing and expanding in Brooklyn and other boroughs. Founded in 1853, the Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Association merged with the YMCA of Queens in 1924 to form the Brooklyn-Queens Young Men's Christian Association. This organization merged with the YMCA of the City of New York in 1957 to form the YMCA of Greater New York.

The YMCA in New York City has undertaken numerous initiatives to help different populations. Always adjusting to the ever-changing demographics of the city, the New York Y has focused on groups such as railroad workers, new immigrants, members of the military, young boys, foreign tourists and other visitors to the city, sailors, seniors and families in need of child care. From its roots as an evangelical Christian organization, the YMCA has grown into an association that seeks to serve all residents of the City of New York with programs that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

(Information taken from The YMCA at 150: A History of the YMCA of Greater New York, 1852-2002 by Pamela Bayless, 2002; from An Event on Mercer Street, by Terry Donoghue, 1951; from After Fifty Years, 1902; and from the collection)

By the 1880s, the YMCA had expanded its mission beyond that of a purely religious organization, including character building activities such as sports in its efforts to develop the whole man. New YMCA buildings included pools, gyms and bowling alleys. This focus on physical development had lasting effects on the Y and the larger culture. New York City YMCAs were no exception to the trend of including sports facilities and programs. Branches began competing with one another in gymnastics, boxing and track and field events as early as 1885. By the 1890s, New York City branches were winning statewide YMCA sporting events.

By the 1920s, the place of the YMCA in American sports and fitness was well-established, continuing to grow through the 20th century. The role of the YMCA in the development of basketball and volleyball is well-known. Many people who are not "Y" members have learned to swim at a YMCA. Numerous teams and individual athletes have developed and strengthened their skills at their local YMCA since the organization began to include athletics in its programs. New York YMCAs have been eager participants in the movement, often making a creative use of space to provide facilities for sports and athletics. Many "Y" branches in New York put their playing fields and courts on the roofs of their buildings. Others used public parks, schools and other community organizations to provide the opportunity to develop athletic skills. This commitment to sports and athletics continues in the 21st century, with new buildings, such as the new McBurney branch, increasing the proportion of their programs and space devoted to sports and athletics.

(Information taken from The YMCA at 150: A History of the YMCA of Greater New York, 1852-2002 by Pamela Bayless. )

The YMCA of Greater New York is the amalgamation of several local associations in what later become the five boroughs of New York City. Shortly after its founding in 1852, the New York Association was joined by the Brooklyn Association, as well as by associations in Williamsburg, Staten Island, Greenpoint, New Utrecht, Harlem and on Grand Street and Varick Street -- all before 1869. In the years that followed, more YMCAs were formed as branches of the parent organizations of New York and Brooklyn. In addition, independent YMCA organizations merged with the New York or Brooklyn associations to become branches; both the New York and Brooklyn associations adopted the "metropolitan" model of organization by 1896. The growth of the YMCA in New York can be seen in the opening and closing of branches that continued to occur into the 21st century. Just as the New York Y added or changed programs to meet the needs of the community, the organization added, moved and closed branches whenever it felt that the mission and goals of the YMCA were best served by change.

As a result, some YMCA branches in New York were short-lived, primarily because their initial promise was not borne out by membership and program participation. Other YMCA branches were victims of changing demographics. For example, the original Harlem branch did not serve African-Americans in the 19th century; that role was performed by the Colored Men's branch located 60 blocks to the south. Harlem became an African-American neighborhood in the 20th century, and the YMCA responded to the change by opening a new branch and closing the original Harlem branch. Services formerly provided by the old Harlem branch were subsequently carried out by the Uptown branch.

In addition to serving neighborhoods throughout New York, the YMCA established highly specialized branches. These included railroad branches for railroad men, branches for people of specific ethnicity or nationality, branches for college students and branches for members of the armed services. When the need for branches such as these lessened, the Y did not hesitate to move its resources to address current, rather than past, concerns. For example, after WWII, the Y reduced or eliminated programs and branches for servicemen. As the number of railroad workers declined, the special branches catering to railroad employees were closed.

The ability of the YMCA to adapt to changing needs and circumstances is well illustrated by the history of its branches.

Information taken from History of the Brooklyn and Queens Young Men's Christian Association 1853-1949 by E. Clark Worman (1952), The YMCA at 150: A history of the YMCA of greater New York, 1852-2002 by Pamela Bayless (2002), An event on Mercer Street by Terry Donoghue (1951) and from the collection.