(Look Back with Bob Enoch - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

A Bit of History

The growth of the Young Men’s Christian Association in this city has been remarkable. It was organized in August last with seven members; last October it had 17 members; in November 70 members, and now its membership is more than 230 and rapidly increasing. The Gymnasium was organized in January, or rather a union with the Parkersburg Gym was effected at that time, and Mr. Brendamour, of Cincinnati, was employed as an instructor. The gymnasium was fitted up with apparatus, and large classes, both of ladies and gentlemen, were instructed by Mr. Brendamour for five weeks. The reading room was established on January 1st through the efforts of a few members who took an active interest in the matter. This reading room is now an attractive and cozy resort. On its tables may be found such publications as Harper’s Scribner’s, The Century, Puck, Judge, The Quiver, Popular Science Monthly, The Eclectic, Leslie’s Monthly Magazine; Harper’s Weekly, Leslie’s Weekly, New York Herald, Philadelphia Record, Daily State Journal, Sentinel, Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Commercial Gazette and many others. The rooms are open day and evening, and for more than two months have never been without visitors during open hours.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

March 11, 1889

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The Y. M. C. A. Reading Room and Library.

Ed. STATE JOURNAL – In Saturday’s issue you asked for information in relation to our reading room and library. It gives me great pleasure to answer the questions asked through your columns.

Our reading room is open from 8:30 a. m. to 10 p. m., weekdays, and is free to all who desire to use it, the best magazines, periodicals and newspapers being always on file. Our library is also open to the public, but owing to the very limited number of readable books, it is not circulating, but as soon as we can accumulate a sufficient number of volumes to warrant it, they will be loaned out to all holding tickets. Our library, I wish to say for the information of the public generally and the “enquirers” in particular, now numbers 275 volumes of bound books and 69 volumes unbound. Of this number 200 are Patent Office reports, Congressional Records, Smithsonian reports, etc., none of which are now and perhaps never will be read by our friends. The remaining 135 books are for use in the rooms only, but we trust someday, if some friend or friends will be liberal, to have a circulating library for use of the reading public. Just at present we are trying to do the greatest amount of good with our limited facilities. Would not a memorial library given to us be a profitable and beneficial tribute to the memory of dead son, husband or father? Very respectfully,

E.T. Fleming, Gen’l Sec’y Y. M. C. A.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal,

Dec. 30, 1889

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There was another good meeting at the Y. M. C. A. rooms last night conducted by Rev. H. L. Simons. These meetings are constantly growing in interest and attendance. Mr. Simons is an earnest and successful worker. A general invitation is extended to all men, young and old, to attend services every night. Strangers in the city are invited. The rooms are on Market street between Fourth and Fifth [streets].

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

April 9, 1889

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Library Adds Books

The Parkersburg Library intends to open up with a fine collection of books, carefully selected. The managers desire it to contain all works of local interest, and any contributions of books relating to this part of the country will be thankfully received. In fact they are glad to get contributions of any desirable character. The list of books to purchase is now being made.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

Jan. 29, 1891

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.