OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
University of
Minnesota. Kautz Family YMCA Archives. [ymca]
Harlem
Branch YMCA.
Harlem YMCA (135th
Street) records.
1910-1989
(bulk 1928-1989)
Y.GNY.4
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.
1.4 cu. ft. (4
boxes).
See Detailed Description section for box
listing. English
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.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The 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.
ORGANIZATION/ARRANGEMENT OF THE RECORDS
These documents are organized into the following sections:
- Governance
- History
- Programs and Membership
- Fundraising
- Facilities
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
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.
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series
here]. Harlem YMCA (135th Street) records. YMCA of Greater New York.
Kautz Family YMCA Archives. University of Minnesota.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional
examples.
Processing Information:
Processed by: Todd Mahon, November 2004.
Catalog Record ID number: 4644261
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
The following section contains a detailed list of the materials in the
collection. To request materials, please note the corresponding box number.
Governance
By-Laws of the 53rd Street Colored Men's Branch,
undated.
1
Correspondence between Colored Men's Branch and YMCA of
the City of New York.
1
Colored Men's Branch reports,
1901-1902.
1
Board of Managers minutes:
2
21 folders.
1928, 1929, 1942, 1956, 1963, 1966-1978, 1981, 1985,
1986, 1991, 1992.
Board of Trustees minutes:
1972.
2
History
3
75th Anniversary,
1976.
3
Anniversary programs,
1949, 1951.
3
Historical.
Programs and Membership
Harlem YMCA membership.
3
Jazz Hall of Fame grant application,
1984.
3
Boys work division,
1941, 1945, 1949.
3
CCNY-YMCA mini-academy,
1975.
3
New members dinner,
1966.
3
Harlem youth groups.
3
Harlem Layman's Conference.
3
Century Club dinner programs:
1951-1955, 1967-1970.
3
Reports,
3
1944.
Program schedule: Activities Week,
3
1936, 1941.
Planning Committee report,
1959.
3
Compensatory Impact Program,
3
1970.
Community service award luncheon,
3
1981, 1983.
Southeastern YMCA Youth Conference,
3
1955.
Inaugural program and reception,
1985.
3
Promotion,
3
1983.
Clippings.
3
Prominent Members.
3
Youth Enrichment Project,
3
1970.
Printed material.
2 folders.
3
Black Achievers:
The bulk of material on this program consists of programs from
the annual Salute to Black Achievers in Industry event hosted by the Harlem
Branch. For some years, there are supporting materials, such as memos, press
clippings, etc.
A History of the Black Achievers Program, written by
John Ackerman,
1975.
4
Salute to Black Achievers in Industy awards dinners,
1971-1983, 1985-1989.
20 folders.
4
Fundraising
Correspondence re: subscriptions to YMCA and YWCA
campaign fund,
1914.
1
Facilities
Dedication ceremonies of the 135th Street Branch,
1932-1933.
1
RELATED MATERIALS
Harlem Branch YMCA photographs are separately cataloged in the Kautz
Family YMCA Archives YMCA, Greater New York collection.
>> See the inventory
INDEX TERMS
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog
of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about
related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these
headings.
Topics:
African
Americans -- New York (State) -- New York
African
Americans -- Employment
African
Americans -- Social conditions
Race
relations -- religious aspects
Young Men's
Christian associations -- Administration
Young Men's
Christian associations -- New York (State) -- New York
Places:
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Organizations:
Harlem Branch YMCA
Types of Documents:
Brochures.
Ephemera.