A history of the YMCA
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June 27, 1876 - Fifteen men, including several of Seattle's founding fathers, gather in the home of pioneer David S. "Doc" Maynard's widow, Catherine Maynard, to discuss forming a local YMCA. Their mission is to steer young men in this burgeoning frontier outpost away from whiskey and women of ill repute.
Aug. 7, 1876 - The Seattle YMCA is organized. Seattle pioneer Dexter Horton is elected first president. Bible classes are held in a rented room at Spring and Front streets. Athletic facilities, and employment, housing and educational services, are added in the coming years.
1891 - The YMCA's first summer camp is held at Green Lake.
1895 - Women are allowed to use the gymnasium and baths for one hour, twice a week.
1907 - The YMCA moves into a building at Fourth Avenue and Madison Street.
1927 - The first branches outside the city open in Renton, Kent, Auburn and Bothell.
1928 - The Triangle Club for boys 16 to 21 who have been either homeless or living away from home is established. The YMCA still runs a program for young adults in transition.
1936 - Women and girls are admitted to vocational- and secondary-school programs. Of the 11,017 YMCA members, 234 are female.
1943 - A day-care and day-camp program is started for children of defense-industry workers during World War II.
1944 - The Hobby School for arts and crafts is created to help members make "more skilled use of leisure time."
1969 - The "Re-entry School" is opened to help dropouts get back into the educational system.
1970 - The downtown YMCA begins to phase out males-only policies at its swimming pool.
1975 - The Latch Key program gives after-school care to children of working parents.
1993 - Cynthia P. Sonstelie becomes the first woman to head the Greater Seattle Y's board of directors.
2000 - The YMCA completes a $14 million remodel of its current 1930s-era headquarters at 909 Fourth Avenue.