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.

YWCA Centennial and One Hundred Years of Challenge and Change: Whatcom Women and the YWCA materials were gathered during the preparation leading up to and culmunation of both the 2007 centennial event and the subsequent publishing of Lynn Masland's book. These records consist of interviews and oral histories, photographs, publications, historical reference material, and research notes dating from 1899 to 2008. There are also digital copies of Masland's book on CD-R.