Young Women's Christian Association Williams Avenue Center records
Scope and Contents
Records of the Young Women's Christian Association Williams Avenue Center include general correspondence, statistical reports, surveys, and special studies; minutes and agendas; papers on refugee work after the Vanport flood of 1948; and a study workbook.
Dates
- 1918-1961
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open ror research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Historical note
In 1918, Mrs. C. A. Jenkins of Portland began to organize an African American branch of the Young Women's Christian Association. Other organizers were Mrs. George Benjamin, Mrs. Garner Hayson, and Lewis B. Stewart. By-laws were adopted in 1921 and a temporary building was opened on N. Tillamook Street at Williams Avenue. In 1926, a new building was given to the branch by Mrs. E. S. Collins. Efforts to facilitate interracial dialogue were conducted in the early 1930s. The building was used as a USO center catering to African American troops in the years 1942-1944. After World War II, the branch attempted to become more interracial in character, but it remained largely African American. After a 1955 study by the YWCA, it was recommended that the Williams Avenue Branch be changed into a community center under an interracial board of directors. Around 1961, the Williams Avenue building was sold to the Order of Elks.
Extent
0.45 Cubic Feet (1 document case)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Records of a YWCA center located in the Albina neighborhood of northeast, Portland, Oregon, which served the African American community. Includes historical background, minutes of meetings, correspondence, reports, surveys, study workbook, and papers on relief for people displaced by the 1948 Vanport flood.
- African American women -- Oregon -- Portland -- Societies and clubs
- African Americans
- African Americans -- Oregon -- Portland
- Albina (Portland, Or.)
- Clubs and Societies
- Community centers -- Oregon -- Portland
- Portland
- Portland (Or.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
- Women
- Women -- Oregon -- Portland -- Societies and clubs
- Young Women's Christian Association (Portland, Or.). Williams Avenue Center -- Records and correspondence
- correspondence
- minutes (administrative records)
- reports
Creator
- Title
- Guide to the Young Women's Christian Association Williams Avenue Center records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Geoffrey B. Wexler
- Date
- 2006; revised 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2024-02-23: Minor revisions to correct inaccurate date ranges and to conform to current standard.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org