University of Virginia Library

Young Men's Christian Association.

The effort to establish a Young Men's
Christian Association in Charlottesville
had its inception as far back as 1871. It
had its beginning in the shape of a Y.
M. C. A. with rooms in the lower part
of Main street. Some of our best and
most honored citizens were members
of this Association and worked hard
for its maintenance. But after a few
years of successful effort there was a
lull. This did not last long however
for in 1887 the work opened up again
with new vigor. Mr. R. P. Valentine
was president of the Association,
and associated with him in
official capacity were the following
well known gentlemen: Vice-Presidents;
Dr. John Thornley, J. C.
Mathews, H. M. Gleason, A. C.
Brechin, S. V. Southall; T. T. Wood,
treasurer; Thos. P. Peyton, corresponing
secretary; N. H. Wranek, librarian;
J. McLain Brown, general secretary.
Ex-committee; George Perkins,
Dr. A. T. Nelson, M. C. Thomas.
During the next three years from 1887
to 1890 the effort was very successful.
Following are some features of the
work at this time; a well equipped
reading room, a library of some 400
volumes, evening educational classes, a
literary society, lectures, a boarding
house register, a free employment

bureau, social and religious meetings.
Again there was a lull and in 1890 the
effort took shape in a Men's Reading
Room and Library Association. This
was maintained until a year ago when

[ILLUSTRATION]

Building of the Young Men's Christian Association.

it was re-organized into the present
Young Men's Christian Association.
The present organization is the result
of a steady and determined forging
ahead to a position of permanent location,
effort and opportunity, in a location
which is considered by many to
be the best to be had for the purpose.
The structure owned and occupied by
the Association is the old Presbyterian
church building at the corner of Market
and Second streets east, directly
opposite the new Government Building.
It was purchased at a cost of $3,000
and has been remodeled painted and
equipped at an additional cost of $800.
The officers of the Association are W.
T. Martin, president; J. A. Gilmore,
vice-president; R. S. J. Sterling, treasurer;
C. W. Hulfish, recording secretary.
Directors: Dr. C. S. Venable, Dr.
H. S. Hedges, L. W. Graves, G. T.
Spitzer, R. S. J. Sterling, J. A. Gilmore,
H. L. Lyman, C. H. Walker,
C. W. Hulfish, W. T. Martin, Dr. C.
W. Kent, J. E. Irvine, B. F. Dickerson,
H. M. Gleason, J. N. Waddell.
General Secretary, H. C. Ballou. All
are good conservative business men
who believe in the welfare of young
men and who are willing to sacrifice
their time and energy to help them.
The object of the Young Men's Christian
Association is to place within
easy reach of all men (but more
especially the young men who are
disposed to make use of any or all such
facilities) "an up-to-date, attractive,
inviting, comfortable reading room,"
well supplied with daily, weekly, and
monthly journals and periodicals. A
useful library of readable books, a full
complement of useful fixtures and fittings
for a safe, sound and wholesome
"physical culture" course; a clean and
attractive outfit for toilet, lavatory,
and spray or shower baths; a good
audience room for musicals, sociables,
drills, athletic games or meets; and all
under the leadership of a competent
and trained athlete and leader, in the
person of a secretary, whose sole business
is to attend to and look after, all
the interests of the Association:—its
building, appointments, members,
visitors; and to take entire supervision
of all the affairs of the organization,
with a president and board of trustees
to counsel and assist him in all essential
particulars. Its ideal has always
been the highest and truest development
of young men. Its doors are
open to every young man who has an
ambition in life and whose purpose is
to attain it. The enjoyment of membership
privileges is not conditional on
nationality, occupation or religious
belief. Character is the only test.
The theory of the Association is to
help young men to help themselves.
It is possible to furnish so many privileges
at such nominal cost to young
men through the generosity of the
leading citizens of Charlottesville who
annually subscribe to the current expenses.
The plans for the coming season
(1906-7) contemplate a much larger
and more valuable work in the
educational, physical, social and religious
departments. The inducements
held out to young men this year
are by far the greatest in the history of
the Charlottesville Association. The
Association meets the needs in the
lives of young men as does no other
institution because it provides for every
legitimate phase of his physicial, mental
and moral nature, and its doors are
open from 9 a. m. to 10 p. m. every
week day and part of the Sabbath.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Christ Protestant Episcopal Church as it will appear when Completed.