Historical Note
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Bellingham was
founded in 1907 in Bellingham, Washington. Following preliminary meetings in
1906, the Board of Directors held its first official meeting in May 1907. The
YWCA mission was to provide housing and support for girls and women in crisis,
as well as the necessary resources to help them become independent and
successful. The YWCA of Bellingham echoed its national counterpart’s mission
statement: to develop empowered women and girls, and to combat racism.*
Throughout its history, the YWCA of Bellingham has provided support for girls
and women through various committees and clubs which focus on the economic,
physical, and mental well-being of participants. In 2007, the YWCA of
Bellingham celebrated its centennial anniversary. The occasion was commemorated
through stories in local publications and an exhibit at the Whatcom Museum.
In its earliest days, members met in the Bellingham homes of the
organization’s leaders, then at various locales throughout the community. That
remained the case until Charles X. Larrabee donated a downtown Bellingham
building for the YWCA of Bellingham in honor of his wife, Frances P. Larrabee,
and their only daughter, Mary. Construction of the building was completed in
1915 and it was dedicated in March of that year.
The YWCA building is located on the corner of Maple and Forest streets
and is still used as an active residence hall. It was designed by the
Seattle-based architect, Carl F. Gould. Gould is also known in Bellingham for
his design of Eden's Hall and the Wilson Library on the Western Washington
University campus. Frances P. Larrabee was instrumental in the creation of the
local organization and remained an active participant for many years.
Content Description
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Bellingham records
span the dates 1906-1994, with the bulk of the materials dated circa 1912-1980.
The collection contains administrative, financial, and committee records,
records related to local YWCA programs and activities, photographs and
scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings.
Administrative records date from 1912-2007 and include articles of
incorporation, bylaws, and historical information about the organization. The
bulk of administrative records comprise agendas and reports from annual
meetings, minutes of the YWCA of Bellingham's Board of Directors, and reports
of the General Secretary. The series also contains correspondence, membership
materials, and abstracts of title reflecting YWCA real estate. Historical
materials include papers documenting the YWCA building's placement on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1979, as well as national and local
(Bellingham) anniversary celebrations.
Financial records span the dates 1912-1978 and include auditor’s
reports, Finance Committee materials, reports regarding the Bellingham
Community Chest, and information on grants, and fundraising endeavors.
Committee records date from 1912-1981 and document the interests and
work of YWCA of Bellingham standing committees. Although the bulk of these
records were generated by the Health Education and Traveler's Aid Committees,
they also reflect the activities of the other committees active at the YWCA
building. The collection contains materials produced by the Residence, Outreach
and Educational, Female Support and Advocacy Committees and others.
Records related to YWCA of Bellingham programs and activities date
from 1911-1977 and contain both reference materials and records generated by
the local organization. These records document issues of concern for the YWCA
of Bellingham including gun control, support for women offenders, and rape
relief. Program materials also document the activities of local YWCA clubs
including “Bun Club,” “Y-Teens” and “Y-Wives.”
The photographs and scrapbooks span the dates 1910-1980, and include
photographs of Charles X. Larrabee, donor of the YWCA building, and his wife,
Frances P. Larrabee. Other photographs document YWCA of Bellingham activities
and events, members and employees. A number of photographs also depict the
exterior and interior of the YWCA building on Forest and Maple streets.
Scrapbooks contain some photographs, but are primarily collections of newspaper
clippings about organizational activities, gathered throughout the local
branch’s history. There are also scrapbooks from the “Girls Reserves,”
“Y-Teens,” and “Y-Wives” Clubs.
Newspaper clippings span the dates 1906-1996 and document noteworthy
YWCA of Bellingham activities, events, programs, and people.