YWCA Building Complex (Athens, Georgia)

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Young Women's Christian Association Complex

| nrhp_type = nrhp

| image = Old YWCA building, c. 1915, photographer facing SW.JPG

| caption = The 1913 Athletic Building

| alt = A two-story formal brick building surrounded by trees

| location = 345 & 347 West Hancock Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601

| map_alt = Located in north central Georgia (U.S. state)

| coordinates = {{coord|33|57|31|N|83|22|51|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = USA Georgia

| area =

| built = 1850, 1913, {{circa|1930}}

| added = May 12, 1987

| architecture = Greek Revival, Eclectic

| architect = Fred J. Orr

| builder =

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| refnum = 87000696{{NRISref|2013a|dateform=|accessdate=February 29, 2024|refnum=87000696|name=Young Women's Christian Association Complex}}

| mpsub =

| website =

}}

The YWCA Building Complex is a set of three historic Young Women's Christian Association buildings in Athens, Georgia. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as a single listing, not a historic district.{{cite web |url= https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75613791 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Young Women's Christian Association Complex |last=Thomas |first= Kenneth H. Jr. |author-link= |publisher=National Archives |date= March 30, 1987 |access-date=February 29, 2024}}

History

The Athens YWCA was founded in 1906 to provide housing for young women, offer vocational classes, and advocate for their welfare. They purchased the Stephens Thomas House in 1906 and the other two buildings were purpose-built for their needs. The local group disaffiliated from the YWCA USA in 1968 and was renamed at that time to the "Young Women's Christian Organization". The YWCO moved from the site in 1980 when a new facility was built at 562 Research Drive, Athens. It continues today to offer family gym and pool memberships.

Architecture

File:Historic American Buildings Survey L. D. Andrew, Photographer Aug. 19, 1936 FRONT ELEVATION - Stevens Thomas House, 347 Hancock Street (moved from Pulaski Street), Athens, Clarke HABS GA,30-ATH,7-1.tif

= Stevens Thomas House =

Built in 1850, the Greek Revival house has a monumental front portico. It was purchased in 1906 and listed in the 1936 Historic American Buildings Survey.

= Athletic Building =

Purpose built as a gymnasium, the two-story brick building containing a pool and used for events. It has an eclectic architectural style designed by prominent Athens architect Fred J. Orr (1874–1935).