Boston Young Men's Christian Union facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boston Young Men's Christian Union
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 Location in Boston
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Bradlee & Winslow; Morton & Chesley |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| MPS | Boston Theatre MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000451 |
| Added to NRHP | December 9, 1980 |
The Boston Young Men's Christian Union (BYMCU) is a special historic building in Boston, Massachusetts. It was also home to a group that helped young men.
In 1851, some students from Harvard University started a Christian discussion group. This happened because another group, the Boston YMCA, didn't include everyone. The new group officially became the Boston YMCU in 1852.
The organization decided to build its own home in 1873. They raised $270,000, and the first part of the building was finished in 1875. The famous architect Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee designed it. The building has a unique style called High Victorian Gothic. It even had shops on the ground floor!
Over the years, more parts were added to the building, including one in 1956. The city of Boston recognized it as a Boston Landmark in 1977. It was also added to the National Historic Register in 1980.
The Boston YMCU once owned a large summer camp called Camp Union. This camp was in Greenfield, New Hampshire. It was open from 1929 to 1993. Today, it is known as the Barbara C. Harris Camp & Convention Center.
From 2003 to 2011, the building was called the Boylston Street Athletic Club. Later, it was known as the Boston Union Gym or BYMCU Athletic Club. The Boston Young Men's Christian Union proudly says it was "America's First Gym".
In 2012, another group, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, moved out. The BYMCU then started to have money problems. In 2016, there were plans to turn the building into 46 homes that people could afford. This project was planned with the Planning Office for Urban Affairs.
What was the BYMCU's Goal?
In 1852, the main goal of the BYMCU was to give young men in Boston a nice place to go. They wanted to offer a helpful and uplifting environment. It was a place where young men could improve themselves and have healthy fun. They could do this for very little or no cost. The BYMCU also gave them chances to help others through charity work.
Who Could Join?
Any young man with good character could become a member. They just needed to believe in Christian ideas. It didn't matter what church or group they belonged to. Everyone was welcome!
What Did Members Do?
The BYMCU offered many activities and ways to learn. Here are some examples:
- Learning and Fun:
* They had classes in subjects like bookkeeping, German, French, and even Shakespeare. * There were also classes for public speaking and singing. * Monthly social events were held, where many important people from Boston would attend.
- Helping the Community:
* The BYMCU held Sunday religious services. * They helped young men find seats in churches. * They found teachers for Sunday schools and missions. * They helped young men find good places to live and jobs. * They even helped members save money. * A special Christmas and New Year's party was given for poor children. * They sent thousands of children and adults to the countryside for short trips. * They also arranged carriage rides for people who were sick or couldn't leave their homes easily.
- Library:
* By 1900, the BYMCU had a large library with 15,000 books!
The BYMCU spent a lot of money helping the poor. This included trips to the bay and visits to the countryside.
Images for kids
See also
