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The History of The Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster
1939 - a group of concerned citizens led by Dr. Ralph Baker and Alfred Alspach, who felt that something should be done for boys in Lancaster, form the Boys Club on June 9, 1939.
1940 - Purchased 545 Pershing Avenue from Farmers Bank & Trust Co. for $2500.
1941 - "Temporary buildings" from CCC Camp added to front building.
1944 - Sherman Hill becomes Executive Director.
1945 - Formally admitted into national membership of Boys Club of America on June 19, 1945.
1951 - Purchased 539 Pershing Avenue from John Musser, demolished it and erected the new gym and meeting rooms, lockers, showers, and kitchen.
1961 - 75 acre farm in Martic Township donated by C. Abram and Ruth Snyder. Property became known as "C. Abram Snyder Service Site" where summer camps and year-round programming was located.
1966 - Purchased additional land in rear from Lancaster Redevelopment Authority. Dedicated Henry J. Marshall Memorial Park.
1968 - John Schroeder becomes Executive Director.
1970 - Richard Honsaker becomes Executive Director.
1971 - Robert Kiernan becomes Executive Director.
1973 - Property on Pershing Avenue sold to Spanish American Civic Association (SACA). Tract on Dauphin Street purchased and James Hale Steinman Memorial Building erected as the new home of the Boys Club of Lancaster.
1975 - Girls Services founded to operate programs for girls in the adjoining Neighborhood Services Building.
1976 - Boys Club Foundation is formed to permit friends of the Club to make permanent contributions which would ensure continuation of the programs.
1981 - Girls Services becomes inactive.
1982 - Girls Services resumes operation under the supervision of the Boys Club of Lancaster.
1989 - Boys Club of Lancaster celebrates 50 years of service to the community.
1990 - Boys Club of Lancaster changes to Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster.
1991 - Camp Hogan begins operation as summer camp in Millersville.
2000 - Visions Campaign successfully raises funding to build 3 new clubhouses.
2001 - Jack Walker Clubhouse opens on Lemon Street.
2003 - Mary Ellen Kiernan becomes Executive Director.
2004 - Sherman & Kathryn Hill Clubhouse opens on Water Street.
2005 - Columbia Clubhouse opens on Locust Street in downtown Columbia. Boys and Girls Clubs of America celebrates 100 years of serving the nation's youth.
2008 - David Tinkis becomes Executive Director.
2009 - Columbia Clubhouse Teen Center is constructed and opened.
