Harlem Branch YMCA

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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.

From the description of Harlem YMCA (135th Street) records, 1910-1989 (bulk 1928-1989). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 68189993

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 underwent a renaissance; always a haven for writers, the Harlem Y gained recognition for its active theater program. National and international entertainers, musicians, and comics added their talents to events held at the branch. The national fight for civil rights lead the branch to focus more on poverty and urban issues that affected Y members and people in the Harlem neighborhood. Programs such as the Youth Enrichment Program dealt with drug abuse prevention. The Black Achievers' Program highlighted successful African Americans. Basketball and other sports programs emphasized the role African American children.

From the description of Harlem YMCA photographs, 1920s-1970s (bulk 1940s-1960s). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 175284558

Organized in 1901 by Reverend C. T. Walker of the Mount Olive 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 underwent 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. Entertainers and musicians such as Richard Prior and William Garfield appeared on the Harlem YMCA stage. Local political leaders, such as Mayor John Lindsay, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Congressman Charles Rangell, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, and many others made appearances at the Harlem Branch. National and international entertainers, musicians, and comics added their talents to events held at the branch.

The national fight for civil rights lead the branch to focus more on poverty and urban issues that affected Y members and people in the Harlem neighborhood. Programs such as the Youth Enrichment Program dealt with drug abuse prevention. The Black Achievers’ Program highlighted successful African Americans. Basketball and other sports programs emphasized the role African American children. A number of successful professional athletes, including Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella, became involved with the branch's youth athletic programs.

From the guide to the Harlem YMCA photographs., 1920s-1970s., (bulk 1940s-1960s), (University of Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca])

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.

From the guide to the Harlem YMCA (135th Street) records., 1910-1989, (bulk 1928-1989), (University of Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca])

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Thomas, Rudolph J., 1904-1990. Rudolph James Thomas collection, 1895-1986 (1941-1971). Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Harlem YMCA (135th Street) records., 1910-1989, (bulk 1928-1989) University of Minnesota Libraries. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca]
creatorOf Harlem Branch YMCA. Harlem YMCA (135th Street) records, 1910-1989 (bulk 1928-1989). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Harlem Branch YMCA. Harlem YMCA photographs, 1920s-1970s (bulk 1940s-1960s). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Harlem YMCA photographs., 1920s-1970s., (bulk 1940s-1960s) University of Minnesota Libraries. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca]
referencedIn LaPrince, Robert, 1945-1994. Robert LaPrince papers, c. 1977-1993. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Rudolph James Thomas collection, 1895-1986, 1941-1971 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archives Section
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abernathy, Ralph, 1926-1990. person
associatedWith Baker, Walter. person
associatedWith Baker, Walter, photographer. person
associatedWith Campanella, Roy, 1921-. person
associatedWith Chisholm, Shirley, 1924-2005. person
associatedWith Hansen, Austin, 1910-1996. person
associatedWith LaPrince, Robert, 1945-1994. person
associatedWith Lindsay, John V. person
associatedWith Lindsay, John V. (John Vliet) person
associatedWith Pryor, Richard person
associatedWith Pryor, Richard. person
associatedWith Rangell, Charles person
associatedWith Rangell, Charles. person
associatedWith Robinson, Jackie, 1919-1972 person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962. person
associatedWith Sutton, Percy E. person
associatedWith Thomas, Rudolph J., 1904-1990. person
associatedWith Warfield, William person
associatedWith Warfield, William. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
New York (State)--New York
New York (State)--New York
Subject
African Americans
African Americans
African Americans
African Americans
African Americans
African Americans
Race relations
Young Men's Christian associations
Young Men's Christian associations
Young Men's Christian associations
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1920

Active 1970

Information

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