Biographical Note
A towering figure in YMCA history, I.E. Brown, as he was known, was instrumental in the early architectural design of YMCA buildings and also in the development of YMCA educational systems. Brown published his book, “Book of Y.M.C.A. Buildings,” in 1895. With its numerous illustrations and floor plans, it became a standard reference source for YMCA architecture. That was a significant contribution to the early YMCA movement, but Brown’s greater achievement was his insistence on educating YMCA secretaries – or in today’s vocabulary, “professionalizing” the association leadership.
He was a founder, along with Robert Weidensall and William E. Lewis, of the Western Secretarial Institute at Lake Geneva, Wis., which was later to become a campus of George Williams College. The institute’s articles of incorporation said its intent was “the establishment and maintenance of an organization for the purpose of training and developing secretaries and physical directors of Young Men’s Christian Associations in their work.” Brown also participated with his sister, Lida Brown, in the creation of the Young Women’s Christian Association.
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Folder — Box 20: Series 02, Folder: 21
Identifier: 02
Series 02 Scope and Contents
From the Series:
This series is arranged chronologically by year, and within each year, the materials are arranged by type, including: videos and photographs of the induction ceremonies, programs and/or invitations to the ceremonies, memos, planning committee minutes, budget notes, and other organizational materials, newspaper clippings, biographical information and nominations for the inductees, photographs of the inductees, and information about other nominees from that year. Undated and/or unidentified...
Dates:
ca. 2010
Folder — Box 26: Series 02, Folder: 01
Identifier: 02
Series 02 Scope and Contents
From the Series:
This series is arranged chronologically by year, and within each year, the materials are arranged by type, including: videos and photographs of the induction ceremonies, programs and/or invitations to the ceremonies, memos, planning committee minutes, budget notes, and other organizational materials, newspaper clippings, biographical information and nominations for the inductees, photographs of the inductees, and information about other nominees from that year. Undated and/or unidentified...
Dates:
ca. 1910-2023
Record Group — Box All Boxes
Identifier: RG-103
Abstract
This collection documents the history and governance of the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College and also provides information about individual inductees and induction ceremonies from the Hall of Fame’s founding in 1985 to the present. The purpose of the YMCA Hall of Fame is to provide “a forum to recognize professionals who personify what is best about the YMCA. It honors individuals who have devoted their lives to the building of community, encouraging each person to develop to their...
Dates:
1894 - present; Majority of material found within 1985 - present
