Lima Young Men's Christian Association records

 Collection – Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-0008

Collection Overview

Abstract

The records of the Lima, Ohio Young Men's Christian Association date from 1881 to 1969. The history of this social and religious institution is reflected in the collection which consists of Board of Directors' Minutes, annual reports, correspondence, speeches of Robert J. Plate, membership lists, financial reports, and photographs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1881-1969

Extent

7.96 Cubic Feet (8 legal size archive boxes and 4 record cartons)

4 Volumes (4 oversize volumes)

9 Photographic Prints (9 oversize photographs)

2 Reels (2 microfilm reels)

Creator

Scope and Contents

The records of the Young Men's Christian Association of Lima, Ohio document the history of a social and religious association and its members from 1887 to 1969. These records contain a wealth of information for several avenues of research. Predominantly consisting of Board of Directors' minutes, speeches, and scrapbooks, one could successfully document the growth of a social and religious institution and the impact it had on the community.

Individually, a study of the board of directors' minutes, complete from 1887 to 1969, provide a researcher with information on the formation of the YMCA and how it chose to educate its members and the surrounding community. Sweat shop and factory workers often gathered at their noon hour for Bible study classes taught by local ministers and YMCA personnel. The monthly reports, 1905 to 1917 document the attendance at these meetings and the growing interest this type of program had during this time period.

From a sociological perspective, the speeches of Robert J. Plate, 1918-1950 offer a record of running commentaries on the political, social, and religious aspects on both the local and national levels. His ability at raising funds for the YMCA can be demonstrated through his moving speeches. The women's auxiliary records, 1908-1922 and photographs of its members, provide a look into a facet of women's history and the role women played at this time in a predominantly male organization.

The architectural historian will find in the board of directors' minutes, building records, fund raising campaigns and photographs of YMCA buildings, an overall history of the Lima YMCA building and its function in the community. The correspondence is predominantly with architects and builders. R. J. Plate's ability at raising funds for the building is documented in the correspondence by his letters of solicitation for funds.

The entertainment advertising, 1899 to 1900, co-ed correspondence and activities, 1940 to 1941 and the scrapbooks covering over forty-seven years of YMCA history, would be useful in the study of popular culture. The flyers, brochures, tickets, and pamphlets provide a visual image to augment this research of an organization which has had a continued community appeal to this day.

The cash and time books help portray the financial picture of the YMCA and the types of funds it used in its business transaction as well as the number of employees and their salaries.

The photograph collection contains portraits of the prominent leaders of the YMCA, the building interior and exterior, various athletic groups, fourteen photographs of other YMCA buildings and a few labor photographs. These are an asset to the collection and certainly give the researcher a feel for the history of the Young Men's Christian Association and its members.

All the records may be of some value to the genealogist. Simple verification of names and dates would be useful.

Biographical / Historical

The purpose of the Lima Young Men's Christian Association, according to the constitution, shall be "to help young persons develop Christian character and to aid them in building a Christian society by the maintenance of such activities and services as contribute to their physical, social, mental, and spiritual growth, and by such other means as may contribute to the accomplishment of this purpose."

The Lima YMCA presently located at the corners of West and Spring Streets originated in the 1870s. The first attempt at organization was made by Lima business and Christian men. J. R. Hughes served as president, and funds amounting to $500 were raised in support of the institution. However, this first association lasted only two or three years.

On November 7, 1887, through the leadership of Fred Bell, a new organization began with about 125 members. Meetings were held in the Collins Block until 1894, when a twenty-four room YMCA building was opened on Market Street. Robert J. Plate was elected president of the organization and Frank Eberhart served as secretary. As the association grew, a larger building was needed. The Market Street property was sold for $50,000 and the present site at West and Spring Streets was chosen. Construction of the new building was interrupted by World War I. The raising of revenue coupled with lack of building materials delayed its completion. The building was finished on September 1, 1920 and represented a $200,000 investment. The new structure consisted of seven stories at the front, with four stories at the rear and living accommodations for one hundred young men. Robert J. Plate served as president for over forty years until his death in June 1965. Samuel M. Jones also served as president of the association from June 6, 1890 to mid-November 1892. He later became the "Golden Rule" mayor of Toledo.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into the following series:

  1. Proceedings, 1881-1969
  2. Correspondence, 1899-1954
  3. Subject files/case files, 1887-1959
  4. Reports, 1890-1931
  5. Literary productions, 1918-1950
  6. Financial, 1892-1966
  7. Scrapbooks and scrapbook material, 1882-1963
  8. Maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, lists, etc., 1916
  9. Printed material, 1888-1942
  10. Photographs, undated

Existence and Location of Copies

A number of the records have been duplicated on microfilm for patron use and historic preservation. The order of microfilming relative to the order of the original collection is as follows:

  1. Roll 1: Box 3; box 4, folder 1
  2. Roll 2: Box 4, folders 2-3; box 5, folders 1-2, 5; box 6, folder 1

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records of the YMCA were donated to the Center for Archival Collections early in 1974 through the cooperation of the Executive Director Gene Cornwall and Paul Yon, Associate Director of the CAC.

Processing Information

The finding aid was prepared by Lydia Ross, Resource Specialist at the CAC.

Title
Guide to the Lima Young Men's Christian Association records
Author
Lydia Ross, Ellen Messner, Nick Pavlik
Date
1970s, May 2021, December 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
  • Box: 1 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 2 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 3 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 4 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 5 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 7 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 8 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 9 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 10 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 11 (Mixed Materials)
  • Box: 12 (Mixed Materials)
  • Volume: 1 (Mixed Materials)
  • Volume: 2 (Mixed Materials)
  • Volume: 3 (Mixed Materials)
  • Volume: 4 (Mixed Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 1 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 2 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 3 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 4 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 5 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 6 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 7 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 8 (Graphic Materials)
  • Item: Oversize 9 (Graphic Materials)
  • Reel: 1 (Microform)
  • Reel: 2 (Microform)