Hayes-Taylor YMCA Collection

NOTE:  The numbers cited in parentheses, e.g. 1:5, refer the researcher to the Series#:Folder# in which that name/topic will be found.

INTRODUCTION

This collection consists primarily of photographs and printed materials relating to the Hayes-Taylor Memorial YMCA, the first non-white YMCA in Greensboro. Upon opening in 1939, Hayes-Taylor quickly became a center for the community, most notably hosting civil rights rallies in the 1960s. Of particular interest are a history written to mark its 50th anniversary, a book of floor plans and budgets for the 1985-1995 building renovations and additions, photographs of the building, and assorted materials from the regular activities of the YMCA. Researchers interested in local African American history or recreational activities may find this collection useful.

Arrangement: This collection is organized in three series and arranged within series by subject. The series are: Audiovisual, 1999-2000; Photographs, ca. 1939-1990s; and Printed Material, 1941-2018.

Provenance: This collection was donated by Thomas J. Scott Sr. in September 2020 and assigned the accession number 2020.21.1.

Processing: This collection was organized and the finding aid was prepared by intern Amanda McBryde in February 2023.

HISTORICAL NOTE

The Jesse Moorland YMCA was founded in 1932 by a group of local African Americans as the first non-white YMCA in Greensboro. They approached Ceasar Cone in 1939 to help fund a building, and he agreed with the stipulation that it be renamed for two of his family’s employees, Sally Hayes and Andrew Taylor. The Hayes-Taylor Memorial YMCA opened on December 31, 1939, on the corner of East Market and Dudley streets, and it quickly became a community center, hosting civil rights rallies in the 1960s and providing a meeting place for participants in the lunch counter sit-ins. Hayes-Taylor remained independent until 1972, when it became one of the charter branches of the Metropolitan Greensboro YMCA.

By 1985 the building needed an upgrade. A fundraising campaign started, and in 1986 the facility closed for construction. After several delays, the funds to complete the project were raised, and Hayes-Taylor had a soft reopening for summer camps and some member activities when the building was about 80% complete in 1992. Three years later, the work was fully complete and a dedication ceremony was held. Throughout this time, the director was Thomas “Tom” J. Scott Sr., who served from 1971 until his retirement in 2000. In 2013 a campaign was launched to raise funds for an entirely new facility, which opened in 2015 on East Florida Street in Barber Park. The old building was demolished in 2018.

Historical Sources: The historical information was acquired from materials in the collection and “New state-of-the-art YMCA opens Monday” (News & Record, January 4, 2015).

SCOPE & CONTENT NOTE

This collection contains audiovisual recordings, photographs, and assorted printed materials pertaining to the Hayes-Taylor Memorial YMCA. Of particular note are a history written to mark its 50th anniversary, a book of floor plans and budgets for the 1985-1995 building renovations and additions, and photographs of the building before and after renovations. Also included are many items that document the regular activities of the YMCA, such as programs for events and awards banquets, a recording of one awards banquet, and photographs of community events. Researchers interested in local African American history or recreational activities may find this collection useful.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

1. Audiovisual.  2 folders (2 items).  1999-2000.

This series consists of two VHS cassettes containing recordings of the Hayes-Taylor YMCA’s awards and recognition banquet in 1999, the year of its 60th anniversary, and Thomas J. Scott Sr.’s retirement on March 18, 2000.

2. Photographs.  6 folders (76 items).  ca. 1939-1990s.

Most of the photographs feature events held at the Hayes-Taylor YMCA, including awards banquets (2:1), the first soap box derby in 1972, a day camp and swimming special, and a preschool graduation (2:3), as well as day-to-day use of the YMCA, such as people working out and children playing in a gymnasium (2:5). Of potential historical interest are photographs of the original YMCA building from the 1930s and from the dedication of the renovated building in 1995 (2:2). Also noteworthy is a set of negatives that were in an envelope marked “Landing of Corner Stone” and dated 1939 (2:4). Two of these do not match this description and may be from another event. Portraits of George Bridges, Dr. William M. Hampton, Dr. George C. Simkins Sr., and an unidentified woman are also included (2:6).

3. Printed Material.  13 folders (152 items).  1941-2018.

This series contains programs, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, and more ranging from the earliest days of the Hayes-Taylor YMCA in the 1940s to the announcement that the original building would be torn down in 2018, with a focus on the 1985-1995 renovations. Items relating to these renovations, which formed a significant chapter in Hayes-Taylor history, include a book of floor plans and budgets (3:6), documents from fundraising efforts and Building and Executive Committee meetings (3:4-5; 3:8), and an invitation to and two copies of the program from the dedication ceremony and open house in 1995 (3:7).

Of particular interest among the materials not relating to the renovations are a history of the Hayes-Taylor written to mark its 50th anniversary (3:10) and selected programs from the annual awards and recognition banquets between 1995 and 2016 (3:1-2). Documents generated by the everyday activities of the YMCA include the program for the 1994 May Day performance, the 1995 spring/summer schedule of activities, and promotional materials for the Greensboro YMCAs (3:8; 3:11). Pertaining to the administration of Hayes-Taylor are the 1998-1999 Board of Management Manual, as well as a booklet containing information on the 1991 Board of Management and its committee members and goals (3:3).

Newspaper clippings make up the majority of this series. Articles from The Future Outlook document the early days of the YMCA, from the opening in 1939 to early membership drives and community events (3:14). The Greensboro Daily News articles promote Hayes-Taylor and the activities offered there, while most of the Carolina Peacemaker and News & Record articles document the hurdles faced by the renovations (3:13; 3:15-16). Items relating specifically to Thomas J. Scott Sr. include an article announcing his appointment as director and an announcement for his retirement celebration (3:18). Also of note is a booklet documenting the history of the Greensboro Men’s Club, which was published on its 75th anniversary in 2004 while Scott served as the president (3:9).

FOLDER LISTING