Early Y.M.C.A. — Furnishing the rooms and teaching life skills

One of the first actions after the opening of the new Glens Falls Young Men’s Christian Association rooms in 1888 was to buy more chairs.

“There will be the usual young men’s meeting at the rooms Sunday afternoon at 4:15 p.m., The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Feb. 10, eight days after the opening. “The young men are specially invited to attend, and need not keep away for fear of having to stand up, as there will be plenty of seats provided for the Sunday meetings hereafter.”

General Secretary W.A. Lloyd boasted that the local Y had “the finest rented rooms” of any Y.M.C.A. in the state, yet there was still need for improvement, The Morning Star reported on Feb. 22.

“To make the rooms still more attractive and pleasant, one or two sofas, a few more easy chairs and a center table for the parlor are greatly needed; also, a correspondents’ desk, where strangers as well as members can writer letters to their friends.”

Lloyd was confident the community would meet the need.

“The general secretary hopes to be able to thank someone very soon for the articles mentioned above and will be very glad to do so.”

On Feb. 24, The Morning Star reported that membership had reached 150, and the local Y.M.C.A. was compiling a directory of boarding houses.

Daily visitors to the Y.M.C.A. rooms averaged about 70, The Morning Star reported on Feb. 29.

On March 2, William J. Scales spoke on the topic “Clay and What it is Good For” in the first of a series of “practical talks” at the rooms.

In mid-March, a “proficient stenographer” offered to teach free short hand classes.

C.F. King, the instructor, had 16 students for the first class, that was held as 8 p.m. March 27, even as another skills class was in the works.

“The services of a competent teacher in penmanship have been secured. Members of the association desiring to join the class should make application at once,” The Morning Star reported on March 27.

Darius Norcross crafted “a handsome piece of furniture in the shape of a stand,” with a checkers and backgammon board on top, for use at the Y.M.C.A. rooms.

“It is quite unique, from the fact that 150 pieces of wood, inlaid in fanciful designs, have been used in its construction.”

On March 29, Dr. Stephen Birdsall spoke on the topic “Some of the Causes of Disease and the means of Prevention” in the second in the series of “practical talks” at the rooms.

“The doctor talked for about an hour, dwelling at some length upon the causes of disease. He spoke of the deleterious effects of tobacco, liquor and illy ventilated apartments, attributing a large share of diseases to these and kindred evils. As a preventative, he advised pure lives, nutritious food, plenty of outdoor exercise, well ventilated sleeping apartments, and regular habits.”

Click here to read my most recent previous Glens Falls Y.M.C.A. history post.