House Committee: Housekeeping Institute (Scattered), 1944-1963

The Springfield Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Collection chronicles the history of the YMCA in Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, from 1854 to 1979. The significance of this collection lies in the variety of subjects covered in this record of the Y's history in Springfield. These subjects include: religion, war work related to World War I and II, race relations, funding strategies,camping programs, and clubs.

SERIES I SUBJECT FILES This series is the largest series in the Springfield YMCA Collection. It consists of the subject files or working files of the Y's administrative office and covers the years 1894 - 1971. These files are arranged by subject and then chronologically within each subject.They contain correspondence, annual reports, budgets, newsletters,programs and activity reports, fund raising plans, Board of Directors minutes and reports, minutes from Y clubs, historical files containing the Y's constitution, correspondence with men in the military during WWII, financial statements, membership campaign materials and information on Camp Evergreen. There is also information on the National Council of YMCA's and the Ohio Area Council. Of special interest are records related to the establishment of the Center Street YMCA for blacks.

SERIES II PHOTOGRAPHS This series contains photographs dating from ca. 1900 through 1978. The majority of these photos are of YMCA athletic events. There are also photos of camping programs, board members and staff, special events and Y classes.

SERIES III OVERSIZE ITEMS This series consists of a photo album, dated 1892 - 1920, a Board of Directors minute book from 1908 - 1934, a Visitors' Register, reports,and large photographs. The materials in this series cover the years 1892 - 1934.

SERIES IV TIME CAPSULE This series contains all of those items found in the YMCA Time Capsule unearthed in 1989 when the Limestone Street YMCA building was to be torn down and the Y moved into new quarters. Items include the constitution, photographs, memorabilia, board minutes, news clippings,brochures about various Y programs, and the programs for the laying of the cornerstone of the 1900 and 1939 buildings. The earliest item dates to 1857.

SERIES V NEWS CLIPPINGS/SCRAPBOOKS This series consists of scrapbooks of news clippings on a variety of YMCA people and events through the years. These scrapbooks date from1934 to 1953. They are arranged chronologically. The scrapbooks were photocopied onto acid free paper due to the deteriorating condition of the originals.

SERIES VI LEDGERS Subseries A Membership Records This subseries contains membership registers from 1890-1896 and 1942 - 1943.

Subseries B Clubs This series consists of minutes and member lists from a variety of YMCA clubs dating from 1927 to 1950. Clubs include Hi-Y, MacGilvray Club, Y-Keels, Y-Eagles, V.O.S. (Visitation of the Sick) and the Junior Meliorists.

Subseries C Camp Evergreen The three volumes in this subseries consist of records from the YMCA Camp Evergreen. They date from 1932 to 1952 and include names of campers, counselors, activities, contests and winners.

Subseries D Miscellaneous These ledgers cover a wide variety of topics such as gifts and donations, athletics and sports records, visitors' register and a publication entitled "Men of Springfield." These ledgers cover the dates 1888 - 1957.

SERIES VII BLUEPRINTS This series consists of plans for the YMCA building constructed in 1899. The building was designed by Vernon Redding, an architect from Mansfield, Ohio. These blueprints are located in the oversize files, Location 79, File 1.