Albert De Martin, photographerCollection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc., in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996The fire which devastated the Witherspoon Y branch building started from an over-heated furnace. A December 1936 letter to the editor of the “Princeton Herald” noted...
Frank A. VanZant, photographerCollection of the Historical Society of PrincetonIn the early twentieth-century, in racially divided Princeton, the Witherspoon branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association served as a focal point for the town’s African-American men and boys. Located on the corner of Witherspoon and...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc.,in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996Top Row (left to right): George Wilson, Captain Campbell, Hydia Steward, Garnell Herron; Bottom Row (left to right): George Reeves, William Hall, Ira Dickerson, John Gripper....
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonBy the time these photographs of the Robeson family were taken (on the occasion of the Robeson’s ninth wedding anniversary), Paul, “Essie,” and Paul, Jr. were living in London. In 1928, Robeson’s performance in Show Boat in London catapulted...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc.,in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996This group portrait includes Thomas Brown, Executive Secretary of the Witherspoon Y (top row, far right). Brown served in the position for three years starting in 1947. He left Princeton...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc.,in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996This sign promoting the benefits of Y membership notes that members can participate in “recreation of the entire body.” Campaign director William Yancey hoped for 600 members that year. Campaign...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc.,in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996Clyde “Buster” Thomas, Captain of the Panther Jr. Hi-Y basketball team received the Heyden Chemical Championship Trophy from Gordon Sikes, Chairman of the Boys Work Committee of Princeton.Identified team members...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc.,in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996Identified team members include (left to right): Dee Holmes (coach/advisory), John Williams, Tom Taylor, Jim Carter, Richard Kidd, George Holmes, Jim Jones, Richard Bracey, (unidentified), Donaldson Williams, Gus Hyter, Sidney...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc., in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996In 1958, the de facto segregation that separated the “Y” from the “Colored Y” ended and the combined Y.M.C.A (and the integrated Y.W.C.A) moved into a new building on...
Collection of the Historical Society of PrincetonGift of Youth Communications Inc., in Memory of F.G. Clark, 1996Both black and white teenagers attended the “canteen,” a popular social event for Princeton High School students featuring Frankie Avalon....
