Scope and Contents

Series I: Time Capsule, 1921-1924

The Time Capsule series contains items identified by YMCA staff as from the 1924 Cornerstone time capsule. These items include the copper document box which served as the time capsule, a list of items contained in the time capsule, a 1924 Bible, and programs, letters and flyers related to the YMCA cornerstone ceremony and the Masonic Lodge cornerstone ceremony. The time capsule also contained newspaper clippings from March and April of 1924 and historical papers dating from 1923 and 1924, including articles of incorporation dated 1921. The Program inside the Time Capsule lists the contents of the Cornerstone. The Holy Bible, the YMCA 1923 Yearbook, a copy of the program, the signatures of 1,000 boys and copies of local newspapers have been verified as being donated with the Time Capsule.

Series II: YMCA Leadership and Branch Histories, 1878-2015

This series contains artifacts, early promotional materials, brochures, photographs and ephemera. The majority of the documents and photographs date from the 1870s to the 1940s. This series contains correspondence and business records related to former Presidents and General Secretaries of the Fort Worth YMCA. The majority of this series is organized by different Tarrant County YMCA branches. The branch histories include photographs, pamphlets, flyers, construction documents, correspondence and brochures.

Series III: Photographs and Media, 1915-2015

The Photographs and Media series consists of posed photographs, snapshots at events, slides, negatives, VHS and cassette tapes. The items in this series relate to YMCA youth and senior activities, sports and special events. There are photographs of different YMCA branches across Tarrant County, children, sports, camps, senior activities, staff and various events. President Jimmy Carter’s wife Rosalyn Carter’s visit to the YMCA are included. Numerous slides and negatives also accompany the photographs in this series, many of which have been identified or labeled. Some photographs, negatives and slides were organized under the header “Miscellaneous,” if a more specific classification could not be identified. Follow link to view YMCA Image Gallery of photographs.

Series IV: Business Records, 1878-2015

The Business Records series contains newspaper clippings, brochures, annual reports, fundraising campaigns, promotional materials, scrapbooks and meeting minutes. Some of the newspaper clippings came from a professional clipping service from newspapers across Texas with the YMCA subject. This series also includes newsletters, such as Hi-Lights, Your YMCA, YLINE, In Motion and Pipeline. Awards and annual business events are also included in this series.

Series V: Oversized, 1905-1985

The Oversized series contains ledgers, posters, oversized photographs and blueprints, as well as a shovel from the groundbreaking of the Clark Nowlin YMCA. This series also contains large drawings, clipart and publications, such as the Christian Herald. The artwork portion contains sketches of YMCA program participants created by unknown artists. This series also contains oversized scrapbooks from the late 1920s and 1930s. View fully scanned YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth scrapbooks.