Introduction | Agency History | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory | Order of Microfilming

Introduction

The records of the Lima, Ohio Young Men's Christian Association date from 1887 to 1969. The history of this social and religious institution is reflected in the collection which consists of eight linear feet of Board of Directors' Minutes, annual reports, correspondence, speeches of Robert J. Plate, membership lists, financial reports, and photographs.

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. Literary and property rights have been dedicated to the public and duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and scholarly research. A number of the records have been placed on microfilm for patron use and for historic preservation. The register was prepared by Lydia Ross, Resource Specialist at the CAC.

Agency History

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Series Description

PROCEEDINGS

ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
April 27, 1900-May 6, 1903
Arranged chronologically
Includes financial statements, narrative outline of the year's activities, constitution of the YMCA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MINUTES
October 28, 1887-May 28, 1969
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of names of members present, motions, agreements, signatures of secretary, financial reports, resolutions for deceased members, record of receipts and expenditures, and the constitution (April 17, 1912)

BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 12, 1892-May 3, 1895
Arranged chronologically
Includes a listing of names on the general and young men's funds committees, names of members present, motions, agreements

CENTRAL HI-Y MINUTES
October 24, 1922-April 23, 1924
Contains a record of the meetings held by the Lima Central High School Hi-Y Club, topic of discussion or speeches given at each meeting, secretary's signature.

FOREMEN'S CLUB
October 23, 1924-January 16, 1934
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of names and addresses of members, minutes, financial statements, committee members.

MEMBERSHIP RECORD
1881-1886, 1889-1902
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of date of admission, address, business address, occupation, what church is a member of, church attending, age and type of membership.

STATISTICAL REGISTER
1894-1897
Arranged chronologically
Includes a record of various meetings, topics of discussion, speakers and number attending

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY RECORD
March 24, 1908-November 22, 1922
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of the organization's constitution, list of members, motions, agreements, amendments, bills, dues paid and numerous committees organized.

CORRESPONDENCE

CO-ED CLUB CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIVITIES
1940-1941
Arranged chronologically
Includes correspondence with prospective entertainment groups, list of members attending activities, and flyers advertising events and activities.

CORRESPONDENCE
Incoming, 1909-1954; Outgoing, 1899-1952
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of incoming and outgoing correspondence between builders, architects, those solicited for fund-raising help and R. J. Plate, president for over forty years.

SUBJECT FILES/CASE FILES

BUILDING ESTIMATES
1894
Arranged chronologically
Includes an itemized listing of building expenses

CAMPAIGN PUBLICATIONS AND LITERATURE
1909-1951
Arranged chronologically
Includes fund-raising campaign schedules, names of individuals helping to raise funds for the 1934 campaign, itemized list of contributions from individuals and businesses.

COMPETITION RECORD
n.d.
Unarranged.
Contains a record of various athletic events, participants and scores.

DEDICATIONS, CONVENTIONS
February 16, 1919-February 1953
Arranged chronologically
Contains a narrative description of those primarily responsible for the YMCA building, names of members on the board of directors and building committee, addresses made by President Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, programs from various meetings, hightlights of the sixty-five years of the Lima YMCA

GLEANINGS FROM YMCA MINUTE BOOKS
1887-1937
Arranged chronologically
Consists of a historical outline of the Lima YMCA

MISCELLANEOUS
1914-1959
Arranged chronologically
Includes brochures, newsletters and a 1958 annual report

MISCELLANEOUS (NEW BUILDING)
1913-1916
Arranged chronologically
Includes information on architects who have built YMCA buildings, responsibilities of the finance committee, contract with architect for Lima YMCA, listing of architects' clients and structures built.

STUDY OF PRESENT CONDITIONS AND FUTURE TRENDS
1934
Includes a narrative outline of the functions of the YMCA, lists contributions to the Lima YMCA and to various other YMCA organizations in the midwest.

REPORTS

ANNUAL REPORTS
1890-1891
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of officers, board of directors, chairmen of committees, ladies auxiliary officers, treasurer's annual report, treasurer of ladies auxiliary report, list of sustaining members, an outline of the physical, social, mental and spiritual activities.

ANNUAL SECRETARY'S REPORT
1901-1905, 1907-1908, 1910-1915, 1922-1924, 1929, 1931
Arranged chronologically
Includes financial reports, outlines of activities and individuals served.

MONTHLY REPORT
1905-1917
Arranged chronologically
Includes a report of the YMCA's activities with emphasis on its Christian mission to reach young men in factories with shop meetings.

MONTHLY STATISTICAL REPORT
February, March, April, 1905, n.d.
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of attendance at YMCA functions, reports given by Religious, Educational, Social and Infomation and Relief Departments

WEEKLY RECEIPT REPORT
October, December 1905, January 1906
Arranged chronologically
Includes a listing of money received each week for memberships, towels, lockers and keys, subscriptions, Sunday collections, tuition, and old books.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

SPEECHES AND PARTS OF SPEECHES BY ROBERT J. PLATE
1918-1950
Arranged chronologically

FINANCIAL

CASH BOOKS
1892-1911
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of contributions, young men's fund, general fund, final fund, contracts, interest, salaries, postage and printing, membership payments.

EXPANSION FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1958-1966
Arranged chronologically
Contains a record of investments, loans, expenditures, cash received on pledges, building costs, list of delinquent contributions to YMCA building fund.

TIME BOOK
July 15, 1922-June 30, 1930
Arranged chronologically
Contains a listing of employees and salaries

TRANSMITTAL OF FUNDS AND SUMMARY SHEETS
1961-1966
Arranged chronologically
Contains a listing of pledges received each month, from what individuals or business. Includes summary sheets of pledges paid and totals for each date.

YM FUND SUBSCRIBERS
1905-1905
Arranged chronologically
Includes date, name of subscriber, amount donated, and name of person securing subscription

SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
1888-1889, 1917-1963
Arranged chronologically

SCRAPBOOKS
1882-1905, 1920-1944
Arranged chronologically
Includes pamphlets, flyers, tickets, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and one volume on Lima's men and women who served in the armed forces in World War II (October 1941-November 1942)

MAPS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, GRAPHS, LISTS, ETC.

BUILDING FUND PLEDGES (WORKERS)
1916
Arranged chronologically
Includes a listing of names of various individuals employed by businesses in Lima and the amount pledged to the building fund.

PRINTED MATERIAL

ENTERTAINMENT ADVERTISING
1899-1900
Arranged chronologically
Contains three broadsides announcing various YMCA entertainment

LIMA'S YOUNG MEN
1888-1900
Arranged chronologically
Lima's Young Men consists of a newsletter published by the YMCA with a circulation of 1,000. The newsletter includes YMCA state and local news, meetings, activities of various groups, a listing of officers and board of directors.

MISCELLANEOUS TICKETS AND PAMPHLETS
1891-1893, 1896-1901, 1939-1942
Arranged chronologically
Includes tickets and pamphlets to YMCA meetings and lectures

POINTERS FOR YOUNG MEN
1890
Arranged chronologically
Includes a listing of all information regarding a YMCA membership, cost, facilities, and programs

YMCA OF OHIO--STATE WORK
1888
One issue of State Work: Young Men's Christian Association of Ohio. Consists of news of various YMCA organizations around the state, finances, and a column on the organization of the Lima YMCA

PHOTOGRAPHS

PHOTOGRAPHS
Includes photographs of the Lima YMCA interior and exterior, athletic teams, Y-girls, national YMCA buildings, Billy Sunday Tabernacle, labor photographs and Lima Locomotive and Machine Company.

PHOTOGRAPHS--PORTRAITS
Includes photographs of the major contributors to the YMCA and other members.

Inventory

Box 1

1. Incoming Correspondence, 1909-1954
2. Outgoing Correspondence, 1899-1952
3. Annual Secretary's Reports, 1901-1905, 1907-1908, 1910-1915, 1922-1924, 1929, 1931
4. Monthly Reports, 1905
5. Monthly Reports, 1906
6. Monthly Reports, 1907
7. Monthly Reports, 1908
8. Monthly Reports, 1909
9. Monthly Reports, 1910
10. Monthly Reports, 1911
11. Monthly Reports, 1912
12. Monthly Reports, 1913
13. Monthly Reports, 1914
14. Monthly Reports, 1915
15. Monthly Reports, 1916
16. Monthly Reports, 1917
17. Records of Fund and Membership Drives, 1909-1951
18. Gleanings from YMCA Minute Books, 1887-1937
19. Statistical Reports, 1905, n.d.
20. Weekly Receipt Reports, 1905-1906
21. Building Estimates, 1894

Box 2

1. Speeches of Robert J. Plate, 1918-1929
2. Speeches of Robert J. Plate, 1930-1949
3. Speeches of Robert J. Plate, n.d.
4. Speeches of Robert J. Plate, n.d.
5. Speeches of Robert J. Plate, miscellaneous
6. Transmittal of Funds, 1963-1966
7. Financial Summary Sheets, 1961-1964
8. Financial Statements Expansion Funds, 1961-1966
9. Newspaper Clippings, 1917-1963
10. Newspaper Clippings, n.d.
11. Building Fund Pledges-Workers, 1916

Box 3

1. Board of Directors Minutes, 1887-1894
2. Board of Directors Minutes, 1894-1897
3. Board of Directors Minutes, 1897-1903
4. Board of Directors Minutes, 1903-1908
5. Board of Directors Minutes, 1908-1911
6. Board of Directors Minutes, 1912-1930

Box 4

1. Board of Directors Minutes, 1930-1948
2. Board of Directors Minutes, 1948-1959
3. Board of Directors Minutes, 1960-1969

Box 5

1. Central Hi-Y Minutes, October 24, 1922-April 23, 1924
2. Building Committee Minutes, June 12, 1892-May 3, 1895
3. Foremen's Club, October 23, 1924-January 16, 1934
4. Dedications, Conventions, February 16, 1919-February 1953
5. Women's Auxiliary Record, March 24, 1908-November 22, 1922
6. Miscellaneous (New Building), 1913-1916
7. Study of Present Conditions and Future Trends, 1934
8. Miscellaneous, 1914-1959

Box 6

1. Annual Meeting Minutes, April 27, 1900-May 6, 1903
2. Competition Record, n.d.
3. Time Book, July 15, 1922-February 15, 1924
4. Time Book, September 30, 1925-August 31, 1927
5. Time Book, September 15, 1927-May 31, 1929
6. Time Book, June 15, 1929=June 30, 1930

Box 7

1. Pointers for Young Men, 1890
2. Miscellaneous Tickets, 1891
3. Miscellaneous Tickets, 1892
4. Miscellaneous Tickets, 1893
5. Entertainment Pamphlet, 1896
6. New Years Program, 1897
7. Miscellaneous Tickets and Pamphlets, 1898
8. Miscellaneous Tickets and Pamphlets, 1899
9. Miscellaneous Tickets and Pamphlets, 1900
10. Miscellaneous Tickets and Pamphlets, 1901
11. Athletic Pamphlets, 1939
12. Miscellaneous Pamphlets, 1940
13. Entertainment Pamphlets, 1941
14. January Activities, 1942
15. Lima's Young Men, 1888-1900
16. YMCA of Ohio--State Work, 1888
17. Annual Reports, 1890-1891
18. Entertainment Advertising, 1899-1900
19. Newspaper Clippings, 1888
20. Newspaper Clippings, 1889
21. Co-Ed Club Correspondence and Activities, 1940-1941

Box 8

1. Scrapbook, 1882-1895
2. Scrapbook, 1888-1893
3. Scrapbook, 1889-1903
4. Scrapbook, 1904-1905

Box 9

1. Scrapbook, 1920-1924
2. Scrapbook, 1924-1925
3. Scrapbook, 1924-1927
4. Scrapbook, 1924-1933
5. Scrapbook, 1927-1928
6. Scrapbook, 1928-1929

Box 10

1. Scrapbook, 1932-1934
2. Scrapbook, 1934-1935
3. Scrapbook, 1935-1938
4. Scrapbook, 1938-1940
5. Scrapbook, 1940-1944
6. Scrapbook, 1941-1942
7. Scrapbook, 1943-1944

Box 11

1. Statistical Register, 1894-1897
2. Register, 1908-1909
3. Cash Book, 1892-1904
4. Cash Book, 1904-1905
5. YM Fund Subscribers, 1904-1905
6. Membership Record, 1881-1886
7. Membership Record, 1893-1902
8. Membership Record, 1889-1892

Wrapped Volumes

1. Cash Book, May 1902-August 1904
2. Cash Book, October 1904-June 1907
3. Cash Book, May 1904-August 1908
4. Cash Book, October 1908-August 1911

Order of Microfilming

Roll 1

1. Board of Directors Minutes, 1887-1894
2. Board of Directors Minutes, 1894-1897
3. Board of Directors Minutes, 1897-1903
4. Board of Directors Minutes, 1903-1908
5. Board of Directors Minutes, 1908-1911
6. Board of Directors Minutes, 1912-1930
7. Board of Directors Minutes, 1930-1948

Roll 2

1. Board of Directors Minutes, 1948-1969
2. Building Committee Minutes, 1892-1894
3. Women's Auxiliary Minutes, 1908-1922
4. Central Hi-Y Minutes, 1922-1924
5. Annual Meeting Minutes, 1900-1903
6. Foremen's Club Minutes, 1900-1903

Manuscripts by Subject | Miscellaneous Collections