{"id":711,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:48:37","latitude":39.810327999999998382918420247733592987060546875,"longitude":-86.159060100000004922549123875796794891357421875,"title":"The YMCA","subtitle":"Creation and Mission in Indianapolis","fullsize":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/a475964624ef5a7a20cf9e6e3e997e43.jpg","address":"33-37 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana , 46208","all_locations":[],"zoom":11,"creator":["Jamee West"],"description":"The YMCA, also known as the Young Men’s Christian association, started in 1844 in London, England. The association made its way across the sea to Indianapolis in 1854 when a group of evangelical protestants opened a building there. Being a religious association, the mission and membership revolved around church members. Their programs included readings, services, and charity work. In 1871, the YMCA opened a building on North Illinois Street. The YMCA separated itself from the church and shifted its focus toward helping the poor and charity work. Members played a role in establishing institutions such as the Home for Friendless Women, the Indiana Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, and a shelter for newsboys. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nOver time, the YMCA expanded to include social and recreational activities that were accessible with a paid fee. The membership fee gave access to a park, bowling alley, swimming pool, gym, and a night school. As recreation and community activities increased their mission and charity work decreased. Today there are several YMCA locations available to the public for a fee that continues to provide pool, gym, and sport activities.<br />","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["Devadasan, Neil. “YMCA Of Greater Indianapolis.” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, August 12, 2021. https://indyencyclopedia.org/ymca-of-greater-indianapolis/.<br />","Badertscher, Katherine. “Social Life and Social Services in Indianapolis: Networks During the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.” Indiana Magazine of History 113, no. 4 (2017): 271–308. https://doi.org/10.2979/indimagahist.113.4.01.<br />","Lupkin, Paula. Manhood Factories: YMCA Architecture and the Making of Modern Urban Culture. Minneapolis, UNITED STATES: University of Minnesota Press, 2010. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/iupui-ebooks/detail.action?docID=557536.<br />","Social Welfare History Project. “Charity Organization Societies: 1877-1893,” February 4, 2013. https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/civil-war-reconstruction/charity-organization-societies-1877-1893/."],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/fullsize/a475964624ef5a7a20cf9e6e3e997e43.jpg":{"id":3401,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"The YMCA building","description":"Indianapolis YMCA building in 1888  | Image from the Indiana Album, Inc","thumbnail":"https://discoverindianahistory.org.curatescape7.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/a475964624ef5a7a20cf9e6e3e997e43.jpg"}}}