Berkeley Y.M.C.A. Building
Berkeley, Alameda County, California
Marker Inscription
CITY OF BERKELEY LANDMARK designated in 1990. BERKELEY Y.M.C.A. Benjamin G. McDougall, Architect, 1910. Originating among working class Englishmen in 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association was brought to North America in 1851 to promote a “full and balanced life” through religious devotion and athletic activities. Berkeley’s charter organization was established in 1903. Business and service organizations raised the substantial sum of $118,003 to construct this Georgian Revival-style building, designed by the architect of the nearby Shattuck Hotel, on land donated by Rosa M. Shattuck and her estate. The original exterior remains largely intact. An adjacent 1945 building for post-war USO servicemen’s activities was demolished for construction of new residential and gymnasium spaces in 1960, and expanded further in 1994. Berkeley Historical Plaque Project 2011
Erected by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project
The Story
Founded amid England's working class in 1844 and carried to America in 1851, the Young Men's Christian Association reached Berkeley in 1903. Community and business leaders raised more than $118,000 to erect this Georgian Revival hall in 1910 on land given by Rosa Shattuck, designed by Benjamin McDougall. An adjoining building later served WWII servicemen through the USO before postwar expansion.
Why it matters
The Berkeley Y.M.C.A. shows how Progressive-era Americans built institutions to shape the "full and balanced life" of young people in their rapidly growing cities.
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Related people
- · Benjamin G. McDougall
- · Rosa M. Shattuck
Themes & tags
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