1851-1999
Offsite Storage Inventory
Restrictions on Access
The bulk of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union records is stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
This collection is PARTIALLY PROCESSED.
Abstract
This collection consists of the records of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, a social and charitable organization founded in 1851.
Historical Sketch
The Boston Young Men's Christian Union was formed by Harvard students in 1851 (and incorporated in 1852) for the purpose of Christian fellowship. Its goal was to provide "a home for young men; to offer every possible attraction in the shape of books, papers, games, pleasant companions, classes, public religious services, lectures, dramatic and musical entertainments, and other means of instruction and recreation." Members engaged in a variety of charitable work. The organization also operated Camp Union in Greenfield, N.H. until 1993.
In 1875, the organization constructed its own building, designed by Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee, at 48 Boylston St. The building contained "one of the largest and most complete gymnasiums in the country," as well as a concert hall, library, and other rooms. It was designated a historic landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1977 and by the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Sources
Report of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union for the Year Ending April 8, 1891. Boston: [Boston Young Men's Christian Union], 1891.
Collection Description
This collection contains Board of Directors meeting minutes, annual reports, other reports, financial records, topical files, papers related to legacies, photographs, publications, scrapbooks, and other papers. Also included are camp records, rental registries, and papers related to the landmark status of the organization's building on Boylston St.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, October 2009.
Restrictions on Access
The bulk of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union records is stored offsite and must be requested at least two business days in advance via Portal1791. Researchers needing more than six items from offsite storage should provide additional advance notice. If you have questions about requesting materials from offsite storage, please contact the reference desk at 617-646-0532 or reference@masshist.org.
This collection is PARTIALLY PROCESSED.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Minutes
Board of Directors minutes
Arranged alphabetically.
Financial records
Miscellaneous reports and financial records
Scrapbooks
Presented by William C. Murdock, Esq., 5 July 1976.
Preferred Citation
Boston Young Men's Christian Union records, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.