Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Education, Site

Location

1 Clayton Ave, Cortland, NY 13045, USA

Lat/Long

42.598099759655, -76.181112437434

Grant Recipient

YWCA Cortland

For over a hundred years, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Cortland has supported the girls and women of the Cortland community from the storied structure at 14 Clayton Avenue.

The history of the building traces its roots back to the Randalls, a prominent family who first made their way to the region in 1812. Several generations of the family would play key roles in Cortland’s growth. The house where the YWCA operates is believed to have been constructed ca. 1868 by William Pendleton Randall, sometimes referred to as “Billy”, who acquired the land from his father around that time.

Eventually, “Billy” Randall relocated to the village of Norwich according to his obituary in the Homer Republican, published in the August 25, 1892, edition of the paper, at which point the house was sold.

In 1920, the house was acquired by the YWCA of Cortland, to serve its mission of providing childcare, housing and support services to the girls and women of the Cortland community.

A detailed history of the organization, which was incorporated in 1915, was published at the time of this acquisition in the Cortland Standard. The article, appearing in the evening edition on February 3^rd, 1920, was titled, “Y.W.C.A. Now Five Years Old: Anniversary Observed in Connection with Annual Meeting: Soon to be in New Home.”

It read:

“Five years ago this present month saw the birth of the Young Women’s Christian Association in the city of Cortland and from that date on, up to the present time, the association had a most prosperous and successful growth. Outgrowing the garments of its youth and its quarters, the newborn child of Cortland was compelled to look for a new home. Recently such an abode was secured and by the time another month of the calendar year has passed, the five-month-old youth hopes to be located in its new home at 14 Clayton Ave.”

The article goes on to mention some of the YWCA of Cortland’s early initiatives:

“There were ten different educational classes maintained during the year. Among the community services, work was conducted along the lines of a nurses’ registry, employment directory, rooms registry, renting of rooms, two sewing classes weekly for the Italian children; while Sunday school classes and mission bands have held suppers or luncheons at the rooms. The association conducted a checking booth and nursery at the Cortland County Fair.”

Since then, the YWCA of Cortland has continued to grow its offerings and services to the community.

Links

• YWCA of Cortland