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YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County, New York records

 Collection
Identifier: BUSC-2014-004

Scope and Contents

This collection includes administrative and other records of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Binghamton, New York. Records include meeting minutes, membership books, annual reports, and correspondence, and well as documention of various YWCA programs and initiatives.

The collection has been divided into several series based on topic: Administrative Records; Building Campaigns; Community and Welfare Services; Programs and Events; Newsletters, news clippings, and scrapbooks; Photographic Material; and Ephemera.

Dates

  • Creation: 1892 - 2012

Creator

Historical Note

The Binghamton chapter of the Young Women's Christian Association was founded in 1892, and was first housed in rented rooms on the top floor of the Strong Block in downtown Binghamton. The chapter maintained a reading room, and held classes on various topics, including typing, crafts, music, and more.

Among the chapter's first initiatives were the establishment of a boarding house, an employment bureau, a continuing education program, and a "Housekeeper's League," to lobby for improved pay and working conditions. In 1905 a house on Lewis Street was purchased to provide a permanent location for the YWCA; the following year an attached gymnasium was added.

The YWCA relocated to a former hotel building on the corner of Hawley and Exchange Streets in 1919, adding a swimming pool in 1926. Major renovations were undertaken in the mid-1970s and in 2008.

Other programs and initiatives undertaken by the YWCA included Camp Y-De-Lite, a summer camp for girls; the Travelers Aid Society, which provided assistance to travelers in need; various job training programs; and an emergency shelter for women and girls in need.

The Binghamton chapter of the YWCA changed its name to the YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County in 1966.

See Suzanne Meredith, "In the Cause of Women: Young Women's Christian Association, Binghamton, New York." [Binghamton: YWCA], 2009.

See also Nancy Boyd, "Emissaries: The Overseas Work of the American YWCA, 1895-1970." New York: The Woman's Press, 1986.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (several oversize items in Map Case 25, Drawer 12)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection includes administrative and other records of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Binghamton and Broome County, New York. Records include meeting minutes, membership books, annual reports, and correspondence, and well as documention of various YWCA programs and initiatives.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 2014.

Related Materials

Suzanne Meredith, "In the Cause of Women: Young Women's Christian Association, Binghamton, New York." [Binghamton: YWCA], 2009.

Nancy Boyd, "Emissaries: The Overseas Work of the American YWCA, 1895-1970." New York: The Woman's Press, 1986.

Additional issues of the YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County Newsletter are located in the Local History Newsletters collection.

Title
Guide to the YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County, New York records
Status
Completed
Author
Guide prepared by Yvonne Deligato, 2020
Date
2020-05
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Binghamton University Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Binghamton NY 13902 USA