FCD - YMCA of Greater Boston

GENERAL INFORMATION

YMCA of Greater Boston
Avenue of the Arts
316 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA

Operating hours:
The building's historic
lobby is opened 24-hours
a day. The YMCA fitness
facilities are opened
as follows:
Monday-Friday
5:00am-11:00pm
Saturday - Sunday
7:00am-7:00pm

Phone:
617-927-8060

E-mail:
feedback@ymca.org

Web site:
www.ymcaboston.org

EVENTS

Events at, or related to the YMCA are listed throughout the Cultural District website. Please explore one the website categories and the Calendar in the upper right hand corner of this screen.

The YMCA of Greater Boston is made up of over 100,000 members and volunteers at more than 40 locations throughout Massachusetts.

The Y's mission is steadfast: Build health of spirit, mind and body based on the highest ideals of the Judeo-Christian principles, and to improve the quality of life for children, individuals, families and communities in the cities and towns of Greater Boston.

The first YMCA in the United States was started in Boston in 1851. The Boston YMCA at 316 Huntington Avenue was built in 1912, the same year as Fenway Park. President William Howard Taft laid the cornerstone on October 2, 1912. The building was designed by the important Boston architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

From its early days, the Boston YMCA offered educational classes. This initiative evolved into the Evening Institute of the Boston YMCA, which later became Northeastern University.

The Boston YMCA is a seven-story brick and terra cotta building that is accentuated by a large "YMCA" sign illuminated by small incandescent bulbs on the north corner of the roof. The building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

The YMCA is the largest not-for-profit community service organization in the United States servicing more than 15 million people, half of whom are under age 18. The Y's tradition of autonomy and practicality have resulted in extraordinary innovations including:

Inventing basketball, volleyball, racquetball
Establishing the first overnight camp - Boston boasts 3 camps!
Developing the first pool filtration system
Creating Father's Day
Started the first exercise/body building class
Founding professional football