Nomination for YWCA Boston

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

119 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service RECEIVED 2280 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form JAN 20 This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts.See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a).

Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name YWCA Boston other names/site number_ Boston YWCA 2. Location street & number 140 Clarendon Street -n/a not for publication city or town. Boston n/a vicinity state_ Massachusetts code_MA county Suffolk 025 code 027 _ zip code 02116 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this tnomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Histeric Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property 2 meets - does not meet the.National Register Criteria.

I recommend that this property be considered significant _ nationally [] statewide CHocally. (C See continuation sheet for additional comments.) kets Tueiheu haronal Resista 1/12/04 Signaturelof certifying official/fhule Cara H. Metz, State Historic Preservation Officer Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property - meets - does not meet the National Register criteria. (- See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: Wentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): -sen /t.

Beell Date of Action 3/3/04 YWCA Boston Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) xprivate - public-local - public-State - public-Federal Suffolk, MA County and State (Check only one box) x building(s) - district _ site - structure - object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing 1 Noncontributing Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) N/A .building _sites _ structures _ objects 1 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) SOCIAL/civic DOMESTIC/ multiple dwelling RECRREATION/ sports facility CULTURE/theatre _EDUCATION/school Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) SOCIAL/civic DOMESTIC/multiple dwelling RECREATION/sports facility _CULTURE/theatre _COMMERCE/restaurant EDUCATION/school Z. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) LATE 19* - 20" CENTURY REVIVAL: Neo-Classical Revival Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundationconcrete wallsbrick roof other limestone Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) OM& Approval No.

1024-0018 NiTS Form 10-900-8 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page 1 Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Narrative Description The Boston YWCA is a thirteen-story, one-block building located at 140 Clarendon Street in the Back Bay section of Boston, Massachusetts, in a densely developed 20* century urban neighborhood of five to thirty story buildings. It stands on the corner of Clarendon and Stuart Streets, with its primary elevation facing northeast towards Clarendon. This brick, E-shaped building with light wells opening on the fifth and ninth floors was built in the classical tradition. The building is constructed of steel framing and brick walls with a poured concrete foundation.

The building has two facades, each with a principal entrance, one on the northeast elevation (Clarendon Street) and one on the southwest elevation (Stuart Street). The building's main entrance is on the northeast elevation, and is faced with an arched limestone entryway and limestone details at the upper floors. The building is divided into nine bays on the northeast elevation (Clarendon Street), and seven on the southwest elevation (Stuart Street), (See photos #1 and 2). The limestone two-tier, three-bay integral entry porch on the northeast façade embodies the building's classical styling.(See photo #3). The arches are flanked by engaged columns with stylized capitols, and each arch is adorned with ten rosettes and an enlarged keystone. There are two flagpoles mounted between each column, above which sits an ovular rosette.

The main entryway is a double-door with five pane sidelights and a round-arched glazed transom window.(See photo #4). A limestone balustrade indicates the second story porch. There is an additional entrance to first floor commercial space to the west of the main entry door, and an entryway to what is now a restaurant to the east of the main entry.(See photo #5). The building's second entrance on Stuart Street (southwest) was radically modified in the 1970s. This entrance consists of a one-story door and window surround in limestone flush with the brick wall. A flat metal door hood projects over the door and a larger, southern flanking fixed window. While this window is in line with the fourth bay, it is larger than other windows on the building, and has two smaller fixed windows on either side.(See photo #6).

The limestone dentil cornice between the third and fourth stories runs along the front façade and the northwest elevation. A similar cornice is repeated between the eleventh and twelfth floors, running along the northwest and southeast elevations as well as the façade. A stringcourse runs along the façade and both the southeast and southwest elevations. Diamond patterned brick panels are placed between window bays along the fourth story of the façade.(See photo #7). All of the windows are double-hung sash replacement windows. There are no windows in the easternmost three bays on the fifth floor along the façade, indicating the presence of the gymnasium. The window bays have been replaced with brick inserts, but maintain the fenestration pattern. The three center bays are marked by the entryway that runs the first two stories.

The third story has six windows, while stories four through fourteen have a central pair of windows with a singular window flanking each side. The first and second story windows along the façade and southwest elevations are ornamented by decorative crowns exhibiting overflowing fruit bowls.(See photo #8), Large limestone rosettes are placed between each eleventh story window, matching the projecting capitols from the dentil cornice above. Two decorative bosses with inverted triangles in blue tile are placed on either side of the three central windows (See photo #9). The twelfth story window spandrels feature swags carved from limestone. (continued) NºS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number Page .

There is a YWCA lighted sign of three-dimensional lettering running vertical along the southwest elevation (Stuart Street) of the building set before the first window bay. A wooden Lyric Stage Company sign runs above the first floor windows in the first bay on the southwest elevation.(See photo #10) A two-story brick and stucco central elevator penthouse is centered on the roof and spans three bays. It has a copper cornice, a tiled hipped roof with a flat projection accented with copper cresting, and four original louver bays in the east and west elevations. A large 'YWCA' sign is present on each elevation between the cornice line and the lower stringcourse. There is a secondary elevator penthouse on the south side of the roof. The smaller penthouse is a two-story brick structure with oversized arch springed window bays that have been filled in with stuccoed concrete.

There is a stringcourse running atop the window bays, and a simple cornice running above the stringcourse. The interior, while retaining much of its original features and layout, has undergone changes over the years that are reflective of the evolving needs of the YWCA and its users. Most of the later alterations to the interior of the YWCA consist of either partition infill for office space or a redefinition of existing rooms. The first floor has been altered insofar as a restaurant tenant has occupied the original sitting room and offices have been built into the original tea/dining room. The first floor east lobby (Clarendon Street entrance) retains original cornice along the north and east walls, and original boxed structural elements in the ceiling.

Original flooring remains, and the main staircase to the second floor retains its original travertine stairs and wood-cast iron railings. The reception desk and surrounding wood paneling in the east lobby are not original. All original fabric was removed from the Stuart Street lobby in the 1970s, when a financial institution (Home Savings Bank) replaced the reception area for the upstairs apartments. On the second floor, partition walls have divided what were the social room and the library into offices and a boardroom. The third floor once known as a "department for younger girls" now houses offices while the only functional change to the fourth floor is the inclusion of men's facilities within the locker rooms in the 1970's. However, while the pool remains, it has undergone alterations- it was re- tiled in 1991, and a bulkhead was removed.

The original gymnasium remains on the fifth floor with a wooden plank wall framing the mezzanine level track accessed from the sixth floor. Photographs reveal that the gym has undergone very little alteration since it was opened in 1929. Non-profit organizations now fill many of the original exercise rooms, clubrooms, and unfinished spaces on the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth floors. The original laboratory space on the eighth floor now houses a dance studio while floors ten, eleven, twelve, and fourteen, which once were hotel rooms, are now apartments. In 1978 alterations were made to the building's interior and exterior, including new windows, a new roof, new heat traps and valves, new electrical systems and alarms, boilers, elevators, restrooms, copper facing and pool repairs.

The firm of Chase, Hill, Miller, Friedlander, Hollander, Inc., who had also completed work on YMCA's in Somerville and Cambridge, completed this work. Repairs to the pool included alteration of the original ceiling and application of asbestos ceiling tiles. The last changes to the pool occurred in 1991 with the application of new pool tiles. As previously mentioned, the Stuart Street entrance was also altered to make way for the Home Savings Bank in the 1970s. In 1972 the exterior masonry was cleaned in order to remove residue from a steam line explosion. (end) YWCA Boston Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) xA Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. _B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. x C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. - D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: _A owned by religious institution or used for religious purposes. _ B removed from its original location.

_C a birthplace or grave. _ D a cemetery. -E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. -F a commemorative property. -G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) _Suffolk, MA County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Architecture -Social History Period of Significance 1929-1953 Significant Dates N/A Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) N/A Cultural Affiliation N/A Architect/Builder Shepard, George F. & Frederic Stearns (architects) Root, Henry (builder) 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): HPCA #11877 Primary location of additional data: - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 - State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register - Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National - Local government Register x University - designated a National Historic Landmark - Other _recorded byHistoric American Buildings Survey Name of repository: # Schlesinger Library, Harvard Univ. - recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #. OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 N°S Form 10-900-a (5-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page - Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Significance The YWCA Boston at 140 Clarendon Street in Boston was built in 1929 to serve the needs of a growing organization. Its significance is inextricably woven into the history of the YWCA as a prominent social organization in Boston in the late 19" century. The YWCA's place in the history of the women's movement and the history of United States is not disputed.

In a 1924 testimonial, Theodore Roosevelt stated that, "I doubt if there is a philanthropic movement in the country which better deserves the interest and support of our people than the Young Women's Christian Association." When this is taken into consideration in relation to 140 Clarendon Street, it elevates this building to a high significance in the cultural development of the United States, and particularly Boston. As the first YWCA in the country, the Boston branch dates back to 1866, a time of great industrial expansion, urban change, and social reform. As industries evolved, new technology was beginning to change the face of American cities. As a result of these dynamic changes, many social issues arose, which in turn spawned organizations like the YMCA and subsequently, the YWCA.

The YWCA began its services to the women of Boston during this period, and it continues to carry out its mission in its present location at 140 Clarendon. History of YWCA After the Civil War, women became actively involved in four major voluntary associations that helped transform the physical and social fabric of American cities, and especially Boston. Among these four organizations, the Young Women's Christian Association, the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), the Salvation Army and the College Settlement Association, only the YWCA, and the NACW were founded by women, primarily for women.

The concept of the YWCA was formulated during the Second Great Awakening, when fervent evangelicalism was a dominant cultural force in American life.' While the YWCA was religious in its formation, it gradually become more secular as its mission evolved towards independence and inclusiveness. In providing a safe and comfortable place for young women testing their independence, the YWCA empowered many American and immigrant girls to begin their journey to the city and the workplace. The YWCA's history dates to 1858, when the Ladies' Christian Association was formed in New York City, with the mission of finding suitable housing for young working girls. Although the New York group is credited by historians as the first American YWCA, the name was not used formally until a group of women in Boston came together as the Boston YWCA, thus the becoming the first official YWCA in the country.

After Boston, YWCA's were formed in a variety of cities. By 1875, as many of 28 associations had formed, at least half of which maintained boarding houses for fifty women or more? The YWCÅ was a natural counterpart to the already established Young Men's Christian Association (founded in England in 1844) who had been grappling with the issue of admitting women. For the most part, the YMCA was relieved of the pressure to admit women, and passed a resolution at their 1868 convention that the YWCA was a sufficient auxiliary for women, and that the YMCA would remain for men only. However, women did continue to be involved in the YMCA, even as the YWCA gained strength in numbers and focus. The two organizations have always been run independently of each other and with separate programs, but while complimenting each other and serving similar functions for their constituents.?

(continued) 1 "Evangelicalism, Revivalism, and the Second Great Awakening." www.nhc.rtp.nc.us. 2 Daphne Spain, 90. 3 Hall, Mary Ross, and Sweet, Helen Firman, 40. OM& Approval No.1024-0018 N.°S Form 10-900-8 88-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - 2 Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA The goal of the YWCA was to "help those who help themselves," and a chief outgrowth of this was to provide a suitable and economical home for girls, many of whom were away from home for the first time trying to earn a living. Through its many boarding houses, the YWCA was committed to empowering women to support themselves, and charged a minimal fee that made the homes self sustaining.

As the association further embraced this concept of independence, there evolved a concurrent priority of providing "all practical means for the increase of true piety."* In order to provide alternatives to dance halls and nickel movies, the YWCA began offering classes, concerts, and events to keep "proper" girls busy. In addition, they began to add facilities like soda fountains, gyms, theaters, and allowed men to visit for "acceptable" activities, setting the stage for the YWCA's expansion of services and a change in its building programs.

In 1916, the YWCA recognized that though their member volunteers carried out their mission, their "building is the embodiment of the loyalty and enthusiasm of their members, that glorifies it as nothing else can adorn it." Thus, training schools, employment bureaus, gyms, and administrative centers soon joined the boarding houses (now called residences) in the catalog of YWCA buildings. Though these "combination buildings" were at first controversial, with some believing that domestic rooms and administrative functions should be kept separate, this soon became the model for future YWCA buildings, and the physical representation of the expansion of the association. The flagship combination building was erected at 600 Lexington Street in New York City. It was in this vein that the Boston YWCA planned and built its own combination building at 140 Clarendon Street in the 1920's.

It is important to note that the YMCA also Erected combination buildings, which included a variety of facilities such as gymnasia and pools. A special meeting of the Board of Managers was called on March 13, 1924 for the purpose of deciding whether or not to purchase land at the corner of Clarendon and Stuart Streets. A site visit was subsequently held, and the Board voted to allocate $175,000 to purchase the lot on March 20, 1924. The lot size was recorded as 12,734 sg.ft.° Two months later, the Board voted to approve the hiring of Boston based Shepard and Sterns, with the belief that he [George F. Shepard] is a "man of ability, of experience and is especially commended for the interest and personal attention to the economical working out of details in building plans."? In 1926, a campaign was launched to raise $1.5 million for a new building and for a maintenance fund for three years.

On March 2, 1926, Mr. Dershman of New York City, who was hired to lead the campaign, stated "the new building is needed to help in the building up of character of the young women of today and tomorrow. The Association work is vital to the human life of the city. We are building into the heart of the city something that is worthwhile. This undertaking is one for the future." The need for fulfilling the mission of the YWCA through its building was stated time and again, from fundraising brochures to committee meeting minutes. One brochure stated, "The Boston YWCA must have facilities commensurate with its needs. For it is a home and a training school for girls of Boston and New England. Its present facilities are obviously inadequate." The building was to be an inspiration to its users - the beauty of the surroundings were meant to create a desire to think and read more.

No doubt the classical stylings of the building were an outgrowth of this sentiment. (continued) Ibid, 91. Board of Managers Meeting, March 20, 1924 7 Board of Managers Meeting, May 9, 1924. 8 Board of Managers Meeting, March 24, 1926 9 What of the Girls in Boston, fundraising brochure, c. 1927. OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NrS Form 10-900-a (5-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number- Page Ground was broken at the site on June 1, 1927, and the cornerstone was laid on October 27 of that same year, with a well attended ceremony and program of distinguished speakers including Boston Mayor Malcolm Nichols, Massachusetts Governor Alvan T. Fuller, Andrew J. Peters (President of the Boston Chamber of Commerce) Mrs. George B. Ford (National Board of YWCA).

At the ceremony, Mrs. Ford commented that, The Young Women's Christian Association is a force which not only trains young women to finer ways of living and a sturdier citizenship, but which also is welding together all sorts of friendships and understandings. It is important and useful that from time to time here and there all over the country, Association buildings should spring up as an outward and visible sign of inward significance. It is the prayer of the National Board that this building shall stand a tower of strength in the community, that from its windows shall shine forth a great friendliness to touch all peoples and races, creeds and nations gathered within its radius. Also in the same year the YWCA Board of Managers voted to change from an evangelical to a personal basis of membership. Any girl or woman of any race or creed could become a member.

This critical change is an example of the progression of this organization into a more inclusive, secular and program driven organization. It is clear that the new facility was a major part of this progression. The new building opened to much fanfare in 1929, with a dedication ceremony that was attended by over 1,000 people. The Boston Globe morning edition featured the 155 ft building along with ten other "sky scrapers" in an article on the remaking of the Boston skyline. .1° An additional article in the Boston Herald on January 6, 1929 celebrated the opening of the building and highlighted its features including the pool, gymnasium, bowling alleys, reading rooms, and lounges. The article also states "the new building will be open to every girl and woman of Boston regardless of creed."" Records show that the total cost of the building was $1,624,543.42.

Historical Floor Program The YWCA at 140 Clarendon Street was constructed to serve a variety of functions for both the indigenous and transient women of the Boston area. The mission of the YWCA's 140 Clarendon Street headquarters has not wavered in the seventy-four years since its construction, but the building's programmatic functions have had to evolve along with the changing needs of the women and girls it served and serves. Before the opening of the Clarendon Street YWCA, a January 6, 1929 Boston Herald article touted some of the new building's functions. The new building is 14 stories high; nine floors will be devoted to activities; two to permanent rooms for business and professional women; and three for transient guests. It will have the first swimming pool and first public baths for women in Boston.

It will contain a completely equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, bowling alleys, two recreation halls, a lounge, reading rooms and coffee shop.! (continued) Speaker's Guide to the Boston YWCA, 1866-1978. 11 Young Women's Christian Association of Boston O1dest in United States", Boston Herald. January 6, 1929 "Young Women' s Christian Association of Boston Oldest in United States", Boston Herald. January 6, 1929 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NºS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number - Page Evidenced in the Shepard and Stearns building plans, the original programmatic functions of the YWCA were to vary by floor with the most private spaces reserved for the top stories.

The new building was designed to entirely serve women, including the space that was not for YWCA use. More specifically, the building was designed to incorporate space for such uses as "lines, schools, classes, symphony concerts, dramatics, games, mixed recreation, dances, a gymnasium, social services, international groups, (and) placement work" as specified by the original YWCA Building Committee to the architects!3 . The ground floor held bowling alleys, offices, and a self service coffee shop while all the functions associated with the building's entrance such as the information desk, sitting room, and resident's lobby were located on the first floor along with a tea/dining room. 14 The second floor contained the library, social hall, various offices, and an auditorium without sloping floors as it would have to be used for dances at times!s .

According to the Boston Herald article, the third floor was "devoted to the department for younger girls!6» in addition to housing the body of the swimming pool and the gallery level of the auditorium. The actual pool, locker rooms, and showers were located on the fourth floor while the fifth was "devoted to health education'» with a gymnasium and individual health rooms. The fifth floor held office space, and on the sixth floor were the "headquarters for business women," clubrooms, administrative offices, and the mezzanine level of the gymnasium. The seventh floor was designed as the general education department with classrooms, a chapel, a smaller auditorium and a social room. The floor also included several storage rooms. A portion of the eighth floor was completed as a laboratory workshop while the rest was left unfinished until an appropriate use was designated.

Envisioning a constantly evolving program of use, members of the Finance Committee commented that, "partitions would always be of use to us in whatever we wished to do on the eighth floor"»l8. The five remaining floors contained thirty-six residential units as housing for "business and professional women" ", known as the Pioneer Club, the top two were inhabited by permanent residents and the remaining three for transients. ' Room rents were determined by polling local businesses to find out the average income of women and the amount they were willing to pay per week. The early 20 century saw many YWCA buildings being erected in cities across the country, and the Boston YWCA is representative of this trend. These new facilities were a reflection of the needs of the constituents as well as the meaning of the organization, and the buildings were seen as monuments to the women they housed.?

Revival styles were common, and the neo-classical details and monumentality of the Boston YWCA make this building particularly meaningful in this respect. The new Boston YWCA building was intended to be in the company of other institutional buildings in the city, especially men's clubs, and its design accomplishes this goal. Architects The firm of Shepard & Sterns was formed in Boston between Frederic Baldwin Stearns and George F. Shepard in 1910. The firm designed such buildings as Milton Academy, additions to the Cape Cod and Worcester (continued) 13 Building Committee Minutes, YWCA.5/14/24 14 "Young Women's Christian Association of Boston Oldest in United States", Boston Herald. January 6, 1929 Building Committee Minutes, YWCA.5/14/24 16 "Young Women's Christian Association of Boston Oldest in United States", Boston Herald.

January 6, 1929 17 "Young Women's Christian Association of Boston Oldest in United States", Boston Herald. January 6, 1929 Finance Committee Meetings, YWCA. 7/9/29 19 "Young Women's Christian Association of Boston Oldest in United States", Boston Herald. January 6, 1929 Lee, Antoinette, 16. OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NTS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number - Page -5 State Hospitals, Phi Beta Epsilon House in Cambridge, and the Suburban Club in Stamford, Connecticut. The firm also designed several Boston area public schools, buildings at the King Terminal, the Walter Baker Company, the Carter Ink Company, the Union Wool Company, and private residences in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.

Frederic Stearns grew up in Brookline and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1899. He worked for the form of Winslow & Bigelow in Boston, and was a superintendent with Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge before he became a partner with George Shepard. Application of Criteria A and C From its evangelical roots to its more secularly driven 20" century goals, the YWCA developed into an organization that gave Boston women the skills to successfully establish their own independence. In addition, the association significantly contributed to the architectural fabric of Boston first through their boarding houses, and then through their combination building.

The Boston YWCA exemplifies this local cultural development, as evidenced through the evolution of its presence in Boston from a reading room on Chauncy Street to the current, architecturally significant headquarters at 140 Clarendon Street. With the concurrence of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Boston Landmarks Commission (11/08/02), the Boston YWCA building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterions A and C at the local level for its association with an organization and developments that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history and for its distinctive architectural characteristics. It retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

(end) 33N COLIO LOX N°S Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Bibliography Boston Herald (Boston), 26 March 1925. Boston Herald (Boston), 6 January 1929. Boston Landmarks Commission. "140 Clarendon Street." Boston Public Library Fine Arts Department: Boston Buildings A-Z File. January 2003. Boston YWCA. Speaker's Guide to the Boston YWCA, 1866-1978, Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliff Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Boston YWCA. What of the Girls in Boston, fundraising brochure, c. 1927. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliff Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Boston YWCA's Board of Managers Meeting Minutes, 1924-1929.

Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliff Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Boston YWCA's Sixty-Second (1927), Sixty-Third (1928), Sixty-fourth (1929) Annual Reports. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliff Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Building and Pioneer Committee 1944-1972. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, RadcliffeInstitute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Building Costs 1928-1929. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Clarendon Building Committee 1949-1973. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Executive Committee Minutes 1926-1942, 1978. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Hall, Mary Ross and Sweet Helen Firman. Women in the YMCA Record. New York: Associated Press, 1947. Hanna, William S. Corporation, to Mr. Charles L. Fairbanks, Este, 15 September 1972. Transcript in the hand of Schlesinger Library. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (continued) NºS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Section number Page _ Lee, Antoinette. "Supporting Working Women: YWCAs in the National Register." National Park Service, CRM No.3- 1997. Pages 16-17. Massachusetts CPPAR. Directory of Boston Architects, 1842-1970. 1984. National Encyclopedia of American Biography, 1965 ed., s.v. "Stearns, Frederic B." National Humanities Center.

January 2003. <http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nevanrev.htm> Publicity. Boston YWCA Archives, Schlesinger Library, Radcliff Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Seyfert, Leigh. "Form - B Building: 140 Clarendon Street." Boston, Massachusetts: Massachusetts Historical Commission, December 2002. Shepard and Sterns, Building Plans for 140 Clarendon Street. 1927. Spain, Daphne. How Women Saved the City, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2001. YWCA Boston. January 2003.<http://www.ywcaboston.org/history.html> (end) YWCA Boston Name of Property Suffolk, MA County, State 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property less than one acre UTM References See continuation sheet. (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1. 19 Zone 329020 Easting 4690540 Northing 2. Zone Easting Northing 3. Zone 4.

Zone Easting Easting _ See continuation sheet Northing Northing Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification (Explainwhy the boundarieswere selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By name/title_Elaine Finbury. Principal, Rufus Choate Associates with assistance from Kara Cicchetti, Sarah Hanse, Jason Reeves, and Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Massachusetts Historical Commission _date January 2004 street & number_ 220 Morrissey Boulevard _telephone_617-727-8470 city or town Boston _ stateMA zip code_02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets Maps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property. Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) nameYWCA Boston street & number 140 Clarendon Street telephone_617-556-9922 city or town. Boston _state MA _ zip code 02116-5169 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seg.).

Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.0. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 NTS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 10 Section number. Page. Boston YWCA Boston (Suffolk), MA Geographical Data USGS Map and Assessor's Map included.

The YWCA building's footprint is marked on Boston assessor's map #4004 and is indicated by a penciled boundary line. The building comprises the entire lot#1085, at the southwest corner of Stuart and Clarendon Streets. (end) PHOTOGRAPHS Photographer: Kara Cicchetti Date: 2003 Negatives at Boston YWCA, 140 Clarendon Street 1. 2. 3. 4. 6 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Front façade of building, facing Clarendon Street, facing SW Stuart Street in foreground, NW and SW elevations Main entryway, Clarendon Street entrance, facing SW Main doorway, Clarendon Street façade Auditorium entry, adjacent to main entryway, duplicate entrance directly across loggia Northwest façade, Stuart Street entrance Dentil cornice and patterned brick, NE/SE corner Front façade: decorative crown and overflowing fruit bowl Front façade: decorative detail NW façade, Stuart Street entrance, YWCA and Lyric Stage Interior stairway leading basement and second floor in main lobby Ballustrade opening to main lobby on second floor, facing SW Fireplace second floor library, facing NE Swimming pool.

Fourth floor, facing SE Gymnasium on fifth floor, facing NE Gymnasium on fifth floor, facing SW UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY YWCA Boston NAME : MULTIPLE NAME : STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk DATE RECEIVED: 1/20/04 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 2/26/04 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 04000119 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 2/11/04 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 3/04/04 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: 3/3/04 DATE Entered in the National Begister N N N RECOM.

/CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE TELEPHONE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS. Boston YWCA, Surolk County, mA 2003 Kara ciechetti Negative at Boston KNCA Front facade of soutlwestd, facing Clarendon Camer facing Photo#1 3-12 (027 Boston YWCA, Surfolk county, MA 2003 Kamn Cicchetti Negative at Boston YwCA Northwest and southwest elcvations, Stoart Street in foreground Photo #2 N N+1-01 -01 C027 DEL/ KING BREAKFAST LUNCH G The Lyric Stage Company YYY9T 140 BOSTON Y W C Boston YWCA, Surfolk County, MA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YWCA Famt fa fdce, ngiding f acas Cenferydar,s. Photo #3 WCA Boston YWC Boston Boston YWCA, Surfolk County, MA 2003 Kam Cicchetti Negative at BostonKwcAt Main entryway on Northeast facade, facing Ctarendan Street.

V 14 <027} Photo # 4 AUDITORIUM ENTRANCE DELI Boston YwcA, Surblk County, MA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YwCA Auditorium entry, adjacent to main entryway (duplicate: entrance directly across loggia) Photo # 5 Y The Lyric Stage Company 410 Boston YWCA, Surblk County, mA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YWCA Northwest facade: Stuart Street entrance. Photo #6 (2Z0) 30. 3912 NN NN JESTCAMPUSANO-11A>BgE Boston YWCA, Sutfolk county, mA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston KwcA Vortheast/southeast corner of Dulding Note dentil cornice and patterned brick Photo i= 0- 28A7449 27 <027) YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION CPEN 500 Surflk County, MA 030 3912 N N N+1 16 <027) Bostan YWCA, Surfolk Counly, MA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YWCA Front facade: Note inverted triangles + decorative detail Photo #9 <2Z0) TZ T-N NN 030 3912 WESTCAMPUS<No.

26A>035 The Lyric Stage Company Boston YWCA, Sultolk County, MA 2003 Kara Cicchelti Negative at Boston YWCA Northwest Facade, Stuart Street entance: note YwcA + Lyric stage sign. Photo #10 (T+N NN ZT62 020 2S0<Use Boston YwcA, Suttolk Lounily, mA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YWCA Interior: Stairway leading to basement and second second floor, in main lobby. Stairway on northwest/northeast side. Photo # II Boston YWCA, Suttolk lounty, mA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at BostonKwcA Ballustonded opening to main lobly: an 2ud floor, faoing southwest. Photo #12 HVT Boston YwcA, sutfolk county mA 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YwCA Fire Blace (facing northeast) FlOOr. ) in Libran Photo # 13 830 3912 NNNN WES#CAMPUS<NO. 15A>814 Boston YWCA, Surtolk county, mo 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston YWCA Pool on 4th stoy. Facing southeast.

Photo# 14 930 3912 N N N-1/ WESTCAMPUS<No. 17A>018 Boston YWCA, Sutfolk County, MA 2003 Karn Cicchetti Negative at Boston YWCA Gymon sth story. :220) Facing northeast. 030 3912 N N Photo # 15 WESTCAMPUS<No. 19A>B2 Boston YWCA, Sutfolk Lounty, mit 2003 Kara Cicchetti Negative at Boston Ywct Gym on 5th stoy. Facing southwest. Photo #16 N N ZT6E 050 øzøcUBT -ON>SndWUO.LS3M RECEIVED JAN 20 NAT. REGIS 2280 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission January 6, 2004 Ms. Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 1201 Eye Street NW gt floor Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination form: YWCA Building, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston (Suffolk), MA HPCA # 11877 The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The owners of the property in the Certified Local Government community of Boston were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 60 to 90 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Betay Fredlieg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure CC: Elaine Finbury, Rufus Choate Associates Roysin Billett, Boston CLG coordinator Thomas Menino, Mayor, City of Boston Chair, Boston Landmarks Commission YMCA Boston 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 - Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc