It's Own Fireside Protected by it's Own Rooftree

This week I'm sharing the story of how the Hormel family donated their house to serve as Austin's YWCA. This is told from the Y's history, a report written in 1956 by Helen Baird Vance.
"The fall of 1927 was a memorable and outstanding season for the Austin YWCA for it was then this fortunate organization was given the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. George Hormel for its headquarters. Mr. and Mrs. Hormel had always been generous contributors to the work of the YWCA and the latest gift was just another very substantial evidence of their thoughtful love of the Association, its aims and endeavors. After twenty-one years of service in the community, the Y after hoping that some day, plodding away it would have its own fireside protected by its own rooftree, the dream had finally come true.
Mrs. George A. Hormel presented the keys to her home to the officers and directors of the board of the Y at a one o'clock luncheon she gave for them in her home. All of the hangings, many of the rugs and much of the furniture was left exactly as it had been while the Hormels lived there. The dining room and kitchen were left intact to be put to whatever use the board would suggest. Mrs. Hormel personally selected every item replaced through the house and so it came as an absolutely complete home. With very few changes it was almost as though it had been built for the purpose it has served since 1927. The garages to the north were later remodeled for Girl Scout Rooms...
To the Hormel family, the house at 208 West Water Street was always home. To it the elder Hormels came when visiting in Minnesota in later years. And when each returned for the last time, it was here old neighbors and friends, those who knew them best, gathered to pay their final tribute. The YWCA, not only in its physical property but in spirit as well, stands a monument to their generosity. It was here the last rites for their only son, Jay, were held as were those of his parents but a few years previously. Newcomers to Austin will know the Water Street building only as the Y but to Austinites of long standing it will always be the 'Hormel House'!!"
Written in 1956, the author of this report could not have predicted that fifty years later, the building would continue serving the community, but return to the name Hormel Historic Home.

Austin's YWCA Gets Boost from New York Philanthropist

Last week I mentioned a gift to the Austin YWCA back in 1909 from Miss Helen Gould of New York which helped launch the local organization. Maybe readers guessed that she was the daughter of railroad baron Jay Gould and a philanthropist of note in the early 1900s.
Helen Gould was born in 1868 in Manhattan. She enjoyed a life of privilege, the third child of Jay and Helen (Day Miller) Gould's six children. When her father died in 1868, his estate was estimated to be worth $72 million.
She is perhaps best remembered for donating $100,000 to the federal government in 1898 to support the Spanish-American war effort. She was also a generous benefactor to the YMCA, YWCA, Rutgers College and New York University where she attended law school.
Helen Gould married Finley Johnson Shepard in 1913. At that time she was 44 years old and her personal fortune was estimated at $30,000,000. Her new husband is described in the Ithaca (NY) Daily News as a self-made railroad man, "estimated fortune: nothing."
The couple adopted five children. Helen Gould Shepard continued her philanthropic work until her death in 1938.

Austin YWCA Finds HQ in Downtown Austin in 1906

More on the early history of the YWCA of Austin, founded in 1906, from a report written in 1956 by Helen Baird Vance.
"Of major concern was the acquiring of headquarters. So, for $20 per month rooms were rented over the Bassler Clothing Store. The Austin State Bank and the Gildner's Clothing have replaced the Bassler Clothing.
In 1909 Miss Mayme Robinson, who was State Secretary at that time, extended the work to the County through a gift of $1,100 from Miss Helen Gould of New York. In October of 1910 the YWCA of the USA issued a charter to the YWCA of Mower County and the local organization became affiliated with the National Organization. It became incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota in 1919.
May 23rd, 1910, Mrs. F. I. Crane was elected president, succeeding Mrs. C. L. West, with Mrs. W. R. Terry, vice president, Mrs. J. H. Carstens, secretary and Miss Helen Banfield, treasurer. Mrs. Crane served as President until 1919. A Woman's Exchange was added to the activities and was a great success until the First World War, when it was discontinued. [Editor's note: a woman's exchange was a cooperative retail store where crafts and other homemade goods could be sold to the public.] In 1911, "The Gypsy Rover," a charming light opera with Mrs. P.D. Bealieu in the leading part was given as a benefit for the "Y." This was the first of many generous boosts."

Photo above shows downtown Austin in 1914. 

Austin YWCA Founded in 1906

I recently found a report on the first 50 years of the Austin YWCA, written by Helen Baird Vance in 1956. Faithful readers will see some familiar names in this excerpt:
"On a Sunday afternoon, May 26, 1906, a group of women met together in the Congregational Church to consider the possibilities of organizing a Young Women's Christian Association. Mrs. J. H. Skinner acted as chairwoman and Miss Molly Jahnke as secretary. Reports were heard of financial and moral support for such a venture. The actual organization did not take place until the following Sunday to permit volunteer workers to complete the canvass of the city. Then, on that day, May 28, the final vote was taken, the "Y" organized and a board directors named. On that first board were, Mrs. C. L. West, Mrs. P. A. Reilly, Mrs. J. P. Anderson, Mrs. William Todd, Mrs. W. R. Terry, Mrs. Will Earl, Mrs. F. I. Crane, Mrs. Boostrom, Mrs. D. H. Stimson, Mrs. John Hormel, Mrs. R. O. Hall, Mrs. George Anderson, Mrs. O. H. Hegge, Mrs. J. H. Skinner, Miss Hortense Robbins, Mrs. Hiram Smith, Mrs. A. N. Kinsman, Mrs. J. M. Hall, and Mrs. R. E. Shepherd.
Before the organization of the YWCA in Austin, Billy Sunday had had a series of revival services. A tabernacle had been erected for him at the present site of the Terp Ballroom [Editor's note: currently El Parral]. All paths, filled with men, women and children, led to the tabernacle. Mr. Sunday and his wife were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Hormel in their home (now the YWCA) during those weeks in Austin.
The religious fervor carried over long after the last appeal, the last prayer and the last hymn were heard. And so it was that the women of Austin decided to do something constructive, something to build character, something to give continuity and support of the teachings of Billy Sunday."

Photo at top: Billy Sunday
Photo below: library in George A. Hormel home in 1925, a few years before it became home of the YWCA in Austin