YMCA’s 175th anniversary roadshow, which launched at the Houses of Parliament in June this year, will be exhibited at Castle Quarter, Norwich, on 10th – 13th February 2020.
YMCA Norfolk will host the exhibition, which showcases and celebrates the roots of YMCA. The roadshow has been co-produced and delivered by young people working jointly with 10 local YMCAs and esteemed partner, Birmingham University, and made possible by the grant received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. YMCA Norfolk hopes to inspire the local community with stories of YMCA’s heritage, including its work during World War I and World War II.
The project has revealed new materials relating to YMCA, telling the untold stories from YMCA’s history and heritage. From humble beginnings when George Williams created the YMCA in London in 1844, the stories unfold through the years, focussed around YMCA’s four themes of Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment, Health and Environment.
On display will be a huge range of artwork from through various eras in history, including posters and postcards that depict the evolution of YMCA over the years. The exhibition will include copies of posters from China, the Middle East and India – advertising various international YMCA services, such as health campaigns, as well as moving art work from Prisoners of War.
Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, said: “Over the past 175 years, YMCA has impacted upon the lives of millions of people across the UK. Our Anniversary Roadshow will be the first time we have brought together our rich heritage and history in one place for the public to see.
“Showcasing stories such as our support during the First and Second World Wars, inventing basketball and volleyball, and our work with the United Nations alongside brand-new tales from local YMCAs will bring this exhibition, and the history of YMCA, to life in an exciting way.”
