Young Men's Institute Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Young Men's Institute Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Young Men's Institute Building, January 2019
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Market and Eagle Sts., Asheville, North Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1892-1893 |
| Architect | Smith, Richard Sharp |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000994 |
| Added to NRHP | July 14, 1977 |
The Young Men's Institute Building, often called the YMI Building, is a special historic place in Asheville, North Carolina. It was built between 1892 and 1893. The building was designed by an architect named Richard Sharp Smith. It has 2 1/2 stories and is made of stone covered with a rough plaster called pebbledash, along with brick and wood details.
From the very beginning, the YMI building was a busy place. It had shops, rooms where people lived, and meeting spaces. It served the African American community in Asheville in many ways. In 1980, the building was fixed up and became the YMI Cultural Center. Today, it hosts many different programs and events that celebrate various cultures. The YMI Building is part of the Downtown Asheville Historic District.
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Why Was the YMI Building Created?
The YMI building was first planned in 1892. Two important African American leaders, Mr. Isaac Dickson and Dr. Edward S. Stephens, asked George Washington Vanderbilt II for help. They wanted a building for the African American men who were helping to build the famous Biltmore Estate.
Dr. Stephens was concerned about how African Americans were treated in Asheville. He wanted to show that black people were capable and could manage their own affairs. George Vanderbilt and his estate manager, Charles McNamee, agreed to pay for the YMI. They wanted to give black leaders a chance to show they could lead themselves. Vanderbilt also wanted to see if the YMI could earn enough money to support itself. This was a way to test if the black community could be financially independent. It was hard for the black community to earn enough money after the Civil War because they faced unfair treatment and lower pay in jobs.
What Did the YMI Building Offer?
The YMI building was designed to be a place for many different activities. It had rooms for meetings, a library where people could read, and a gym. In its early days, the YMI hosted talks by famous African Americans. It also held music and theater shows.
A music group and an orchestra were started there. The YMI also brought in performers from other areas. Famous artists like Elizabeth Davis, Joseph Douglass, and "Queen of Song" Flora Batson performed there in 1895. The building also supported businesses. The ground floor had spaces for shops and businesses owned by black people. The money from these businesses helped pay for the building's costs and loans, aiming to make the YMI financially strong on its own.
How Did the YMI Building Change Over Time?
In June 1906, the YMI's leaders bought the building from the Vanderbilt Estate for $10,000. The YMI continued to be a very important place during the time of segregation. However, its use declined in the 1960s and 1970s.
In 1980, a group of nine black churches bought the building. They reopened it as the YMI Cultural Center. The building has been recognized as a historic place since 1977. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What Is the YMI Building Used For Today?
Today, the YMI Cultural Center is still a home for local businesses. It also hosts many cultural programs and art shows. These events help to keep the history of African Americans in Buncombe County alive.
The center has permanent exhibits. You can see African masks and sculptures there. There are also drawings by the African-American artist Charles W. White. Plus, you can view photographs that show the history of the YMI and its connections to the Biltmore Estate.
