The Governors Island branch of the YMCA of Greater New York, is also known as the Army branch or the Fort Jay branch. It was established in 1899 during the Spanish-American War as the Army Branch, and was part of a directive that authorized the War and Navy Departments to license the YMCA to construct buildings on military posts. Governors Island, located at the mouth of the East River, is actually closer to Brooklyn. However, the work at the Army branch on Governors Island was undertaken by the YMCA of the City of New York, and later the YMCA of Greater New York. The first building was a frame structure built in 1900. In 1924, the National War Work Council contracted with the New York association to plan and operate a YMCA paid for by the Council. In 1927, a new building, supported in part by a donation from William E. Dodge, opened with an auditorium, gym with squash courts, library, canteen and other rooms. It was deigned to be a community center not just for military men, but also for their families. In 1928, the branch was renamed the Fort Jay branch. In 1941, the name changed again to the Governors Island Branch.
During World War II, hundreds of volunteers and additional paid staff were employed to meet the needs of the thousands of troops stationed on Governors Island. After the war, the program for enlisted men included weekly dances with hostesses from the New York area, live shows, games, television, music, and services that included counseling, housing referrals, and activities for teens.
As the 1950s drew to a close, it became apparent that the branch was not able to raise funds at the level needed to sustain the high quality of services the Army expected and the YMCA wished to provide. Moreover, the Army was increasingly providing services formerly offered by the YMCA. For example, the Army renovated the post gymnasium, effectively eliminating the need for the YMCA gymnasium. Improvements in the on-post library meant that the YMCA library was no longer needed. For all these and other reasons, in December, 1962, the YMCA decided to leave Governors Island.
From the guide to the Governors Island (Army / Fort Jay) YMCA records., 1927-1965, (bulk 1946-1963), (University of Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca])
