YMCA of Greater Providence records
Scope and Contents
This collection contains material concerning the development and operation of the Greater Providence YMCA from its inception in 1853 to 2005. About half of the collection consists of operational records including foundational documents, correspondence, board meeting minutes, annual reports, financial ledgers, building plans, newsletters, advertisements, program planning materials, certificates, pins, and more. The other half consists of photographs, which document YMCA events, holiday parties, social clubs, classes, arts and culture, fitness, athletics, building facilities, summer camps, and its staff and young members.
Dates
- 1853 - 2005
Creator
- YMCA of Greater Providence (1853-) (Providence, R.I.) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
PPL shares copyright with the creator of this collection under CC license 4.0.
Biographical / Historical
The original YMCA was founded in mid-19th century London, initially as a group of laborers reacting to the conditions of rapid industrialization in the city. It aimed to provide Christian alternatives to the more common recreational opportunities available to transplanted tradesmen; these alternatives largely consisted of religious lectures, Bible readings, and prayer. When retired American seaman and missionary Thomas Sullivan visited London, he was taken by the organization’s values and sought to begin an American chapter in Boston for the purposes of spreading evangelical Christianity and providing respite and social opportunities for American sailors. The organization quickly grew and chapters appeared in cities throughout the eastern United States and eventually the entire country.
The Greater Providence YMCA is notable for being one of the earliest YMCA's established in the United States. The growth of the club in Providence mirrors that of the state at large, as both the demand and support for the Y expanded along with the urban development. As the organization became more secular through the 20th century, a shift in services occurred from religious study and housing to childcare and youth services, fitness and athletics, community programming, and education. The Y has served a vital function as a general-purpose resource and public third space for Rhode Island residents.
Extent
18 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is organized into five series, most of which include several subseries. Materials within each series or subseries are arranged chronologically by known or approximated dates. Series 1 consists of administrative materials, arranged into subseries by administrative use. Series 2 consists of promotional materials, arranged into subseries by type of material. Series 3 consists of materials related to YMCA-involved or -led programming, arranged into subseries by type of programming. Series 4 consists of certificates and realia. Series 5 consists of photographs, arranged into subseries by subject.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of YMCA of Greater Providence.
Processing Information
The collection was partially processed by Brandon Roman in 2023. Michelle Farias finished processing the collection in July 2025.
Creator
- YMCA of Greater Providence (1853-) (Providence, R.I.) (Organization)
- Title
- YMCA of Greater Providence records
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Collection was partially processed by Brandon Roman under the supervision of Kate Wells. Michelle Farias finished processing the collection in July 2025.
- Date
- 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 2 (manuscript)
- Box: 3 (manuscript)
- Box: 4 (manuscript)
- Box: 5 (manuscript)
- Box: 6 (manuscript)
- Box: 7 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 8 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 9 (Text)
- Box: 10 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 11 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 12 (Graphic Materials)
- Box: 13 (Graphic Materials)
- Box: 14 (Graphic Materials)
- Box: 15 (Graphic Materials)
- Box: 16 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 17 (Graphic Materials)
- Box: 18 (Graphic Materials)
- Box: 19 (Graphic Materials)
- Object: 1 (manuscript)
- Object: 2 (manuscript)
- Object: 3 (manuscript)
- Object: 4 (manuscript)
- Object: 5 (manuscript)
- Object: 6 (manuscript)
- Object: 7 (manuscript)
- Object: 8 (manuscript)
- Object: 9 (manuscript)
- Object: 10 (manuscript)
- Object: 11 (Text)
- Object: 12 (Text)
- Object: 13 (manuscript)
- Object: 14 (manuscript)
- Object: 15 (manuscript)
- Object: 16 (manuscript)
- Object: 17 (manuscript)
- Object: 18 (manuscript)
- Object: 19 (manuscript)
- Object: 20 (Text)
- Object: 21 (Text)
- Object: 22 (Text)
- Object: 23 (Text)
- Object: 24 (Text)
- Object: 25 (Text)
- Object: 26 (Mixed Materials)
- Object: 27 (Mixed Materials)
Repository Details
Part of the Providence Public Library Repository
150 Empire Street
Providence RI 02903 United States of America
401-455-8021
special_collections@provlib.org