Plainfield Area Young Men’s Christian Association
(Y.M.C.A.) [1869--2007]
The old Y.M.C.A. building on the corner of
East Front Street
and Watchung Avenue, circa 1890s- early 1900s.
Finding aid written and encoded by Sarah Hull in April 2009;
processed in April 2009 by Sarah Hull.
| Overview of the Collection | |
| Repository: | Plainfield Public Library, Local History Department, 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060 |
| Creator: | Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A. / Young Men’s Christian Association of Plainfield, N.J. |
| Title: | Records of the Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A. / Young Men’s Christian Association of Plainfield, N.J. |
| Dates: | 1869 – 2007 (with gaps) |
| Quantity: | 1 linear foot of records Comprised of 2 boxes: One (1) 10”x12”x5” document case One (1) 10”x15”x5” legal document case |
| Abstract: | The Records of the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield document the creation and history of the Y from 1869 to 2007. The collection includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and publications such as annual reports and event programs. There is a large quantity of ephemera ranging from membership forms to song books. The collection includes two (2) scrapbooks that contain newspaper clippings, event-related items, and correspondence. There are also four black & white photographs: three of the Y building and one of a circus event. |
| Language: | The records are in English. |
Historical Information
The world’s first YMCA was organized in London in 1844. The Plainfield Area YMCA began in 1867 when Alexander Gilbert and H. Otis Newman voiced mutual concerns over the moral climate facing the youth in Plainfield following the Civil War (1861-1865). The Association was actually formed one year before Plainfield became incorporated as a city, with Mr. Gilbert as its first President. The new organization initially met in churches and rented spaces. Its first comprehensive building was erected in 1894 at the corner of Front Street and what is now Watchung Avenue. Primary programs included the library, Bible classes, night classes, and cultural programs. The Works of the boys’ branch began in the late 1880’s, as did the Wawayanda boys summer camp. The Women’s Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. was up and running by June 1885, and was shut down in February 1959. Physical health programs began in the 1880’s. The first comprehensive facility was constructed in 1894 and included a gymnasium and pool.
To be clear, these programs were only open to white men, who were members of an Evangelical Christian church. Later, other Christian denominations, teens, then boys, were allowed. The Plainfield Y was connected with the Boy Scouts of America, and did much to established the Scouts in Plainfield. It wasn’t until later in the 20th century that the rules of the Association changed to reflect the inter-faith nature of their membership, and the right of all members to vote and hold office.
There is no indication that Black males were permitted into the Y, even on a segregated basis. Recorded interest in the Black community are vague in the records - "YMCA work in the Negro community grew throughout the period". It was noted that a "great historic move occured in 1895 when Professor Graham Taylor advanced the idea that the Y was to serve all races, religions, and creeds in our society...", but that does not appear to occur in Plainfield until 1923 with the creation of the Moorland Branch.
Known as the Moorland Y, the branch was located on the old Hope Chapel property when it was purchased in 1926. The Moorland building campaign was championed and led by Dr. A. L. Thompson, Sr., a prominent African-American dentist in Plainfield. The Moorland Y burned down in 1955. Some of the leadership in the African American community felt the branch should not be rebuilt because it only aided in the segregation of the Plainfield community. This sentiment was supported by the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. After much controversy, it was ultimately decided that the Moorland branch would not be reconstructed. Instead, a new policy of full integration into the Plainfield Area YMCA came into effect. Both the staff and membership of the Moorland Y were merged into those of the central Y. This was an historic event at that time.
Programs were organized into departments, which offered a variety of services:
Education - Conversational English, Spanish, Book-keeping, Mechanical drawing, Mathementics, Stenography and typewriting, Orchestra, and Debating Club. There were a of special lectures on art, history, and culture.
Social - Board games (ping pong, checkers, chess), music, magazines, general fellowship (particularly to occupy the boys during the "danger hours" of 7 to 10 pm)
Spiritual Development - Gymnasium Men's Bible class, Workers' Bible Training Class, Young Men's Bible Class, Missionary Bible Class, Faith and Conduct Class, Men's Gospel Meetings.
Intermediate Department - Boys age 15 and older. Additional programs in the above groups, as well as athletics (later a circus) and educational tours of local businesses and organizations.
Boys Department - Younger boys to supplement the work of the home, church, and school; offering also reading rooms, athletics, game and sports tournaments, a musical club, educational tours, and a summer camp.
Later programs included volunteering programs through the Hi_Y club for teens and Junior Leaders.
In 1923, the completion of a new facility at East Sixth Street and Watching Avenue (518 Watchung Avenue), where the building still stands, helped expand the program scope and membership of the Y. This building was renovated in 1958, and later in 1963. There were four types of membership: active, associated, life and honorary. Active members also had to be members of an Evangelical Christian Church, under forty years old, and pay a membership fee of $2.00 annually. Associated members had only to be of good moral character, and pay the annual fee; they could participate in all Association activities except voting and holding office. Life members paid a $20.00 fee and held all privileges. Honorary members were voted in by the Board of Directors.
The first sound club structure for girls was established in 1963, although teenage girls were involved with a Tri_Hi_Y club in 1937. In 1952, the creation of a Family Membership category treated women and girls as full members of the Association.
A copiously written history entitled, “The Plainfield Area YMCA: 100 Years” is located in box 1. It is an incredibly detailed account of the establishment and running of the organization from 1867 to 1967, written by Harry E. Moore, Jr.
In May 2018, The Plainfield YMCA Board of Directors made a decision to sell the building at 518 Watchung Avenue. The building was sold at auction in August 2018. While the Plainfield Y reorganized, the Somerset County YMCA offered programs for Plainfeild children.
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Scope and Contents
The Records of the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield document the creation and history of the Y from 1869 to 2007. The collection includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and publications such as annual reports and event programs. There is a large quantity of ephemera ranging from membership forms to song books. The collection includes two (2) scrapbooks that contain newspaper clippings, event-related items, and correspondence. There are also four black & white photographs: three of the Y building and one of a circus event.
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Arrangement
The Records of the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield are arranged into two series:
Series 1: Publications
Series 2: Other Records
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Restrictions on Access
The "Records of the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield" collection is available for research.
Access is restricted to materials prepared by the Local History department staff. All materials must be viewed in the Plainfield Room and may not be removed to another area of the library without permission of the Library Director or designee. Materials must be handled carefully and kept in order. Materials must not be leaned upon, altered, folded, ripped, or traced upon. Marks may not be added or erased from materials. Materials must be returned directly to Local History department staff and inspected before the researcher leaves the Plainfield Room.
Restrictions on Use
One photocopy may be made (by Plainfield Public Library staff) of each document for the purpose of research; official Local History departmental reproduction fees may apply. Permission to publish must be obtained by the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees as delegated to the Library Director. Permission to publish does not constitute a copyright clearance. The researcher is responsible for further copyright restrictions. The Plainfield Public Library is not responsible for the misuse of copyrighted material.
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Index Terms
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
People:
H. Otis Newman
Dr. A. L. Thompson, Sr.
Organizations:
N.A.A.C.P. (Plainfield, N.J.)
Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A. (Plainfield, N.J.)
Young Men’s Christian Association
Places:
Subjects:
Plainfield (N.J.)--History
Clubs and associations
Children and youth organizations
Moorland Branch YMCA (Plainfield, N.J.)--History
Young Men's Christian associations--History
Young Men's Christian associations (Plainfield, N.J.)--History
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Related Items*
Books:
PR 267.3 CEN, Developmental study of the Plainfield Y.M.C.A. / Central Atlantic Area Council of YMCAs (Newark, N.J.).
PR 267.3 FOR, A forward movement to meet a civic need : a jubilee gift to the young men and boys of Plainfield and vicinity, 1867-1917
PR 267.3 JOH, A history of the Moorland branch Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield, New Jersey / Frederick A. Johnson.
PR 267.3 PLA 1963/1976, Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A. HI-Y-TRI-HI-Y Council recognition of youth as leaders royal banquet
PR 267.3 PLA 1977/1982, Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A. HI-Y-TRI-HI-Y Council recognition of youth as leaders royal banquet
797.2 ON 1, On the guard : the YMCA lifeguard manual / Marjorie M. Murphy.Photographs:
C-40612, YMCA Basketball Players Pose
C-10489, YMCA
C-10319, YMCA Building
I-51292, Children playing jump rope at the YMCA
I-51294, Young Boy Playing At The YMCA
I-51504, YMCA Girls Basketball League
I-51295, Children At The YMCA
I-51290, Children Playing At The YMCA
I-51291, Children Playing At The YMCA
T-2022, Laying of the cornerstone for the first Y.M.C.A. building
T-2023, Another scene of the Y.M.C.A. corner stone ceremonyBlueprints:
D-26, YMCA
D-407, YMCA
D-4367, YMCA
D-8571, Handball Courts for the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield
D-12143, Barrier-Free Provisions for Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A.
D-12175, Life Safety Improvements for Plainfield Area Y.M.C.A.
Postcards:
C-314, Corner building with Hodges Pharmacy, man standing on corner
C-317, Corner view of building
C-331, Corner view of building with boy on bicycle
C-333, Corner view of building with boy on bicycle
C-336, Corner view of building with woman and horses and cart
C-341. Corner view of building
C-347, Front and left side view, cars parked on both streets
P-350, Building with YMCA sign and yellow and green cars
C-353, Waiting to Serve You Day and Night - Signed Paul R. Collier
C-354, "Old" building showing Hodge's Pharmacy and neighboring buildings
C-356, "Old" building with green Hodge's Pharmacy sign and bicycles
C-1440, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1441, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1442, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1443, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1444, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1446, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1447, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1448, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1449, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1450, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1451, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1454, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1455, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1456, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922
C-1458, Y.M.C.A. Circus, 1922*Please contact the Local History Dept for possible additional items.
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Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
This collection consists of paper documents, which do not require any additional technology for access.
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Identification of item; Date (if noted); " The Records of the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield, N.J.,” collection, Box and Folder Number; Local History Department, Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, New Jersey.
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated in 2002 by the Y.M.C.A. of Plainfield.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Sarah Hull in March 2009. The finding aid was written by Sarah Hull in April 2009. Finding aid content follows the guidelines suggested by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
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Series Description of the Collection
Series 1: Publications [1869--2007]
Return to the Table of Contents Series 2: Other Records [1892--2007]
Return to the Table of Contents YMCA Publications List
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