Preserving Black History
Historic Former Wabash Y
Historical Tours
Stay tuned for more info as we continue restoration and preservation projects!
If you are interested in visiting the Wabash Y, check out our Black History Month event, “These Walls Don’t Talk - People Do”, a story-driven community gathering, on February 28. This event is free & open to the public - more information below.
Please reach out to info@trcwabash.org with any questions.
Event: Black History Month 2026:
Please join us on February 28 (10am-3pm) for one of just a few public openings of the Wabash Y in 2026 as construction continues.
“These Walls Don’t Talk - People Do” is a free, open-house and storytelling gathering centered on the past, present, and future of the Wabash Y as a place of community, recreation, and shared history.
Held in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week - conceived by Carter G. Woodson and his peers at the Wabash Y - the event invites neighbors, families, and visitors to reflect, listen, and contribute their voices to a living history of the building and the community it has served.
Visitors are welcome to bring family photos and documents - and we hope you will consider participating in an audio or video interview to add to our story collection.
Do you have a Wabash Y Story? Click here to let us know, even if you can't make it on Feb 28!
Got questions? Want to RSVP or leave a comment?
Reach out to info@trcwabash.org.
Help Us Keep the Story Going
The story of the historic former Wabash YMCA isn’t finished - and neither is the restoration.
Thanks to generous support from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, we’ve completed the architectural and mechanical drawings that outline what remains to bring this landmark fully back to life. With new plans in hand, we’re preparing to solicit construction bids this spring and take the next big step forward.
Be part of the next chapter. Support the restoration - make a gift here today.
Explore the Wabash Y from Home
TRC was founded in 1992 to restore and preserve the Historic Former Wabash YMCA.
The Historic Former Wabash YMCA was the heart of cultural and economic progress for African Americans in the Bronzeville region of Chicago for over half a century and is hailed as the birthplace of Black History Month.
You can explore this history yourself with this interactive walk-through tour:
A Living Landmark.
We created the "Living Landmark" logo to celebrate the Historic Wabash Y's 110th anniversary of service to African Americans in Chicago.
In this video interview, Dr. Lionel Kimble shares his thoughts on the importance of the many Black community leaders associated with the Wabash Y. These leaders and the thousands of ordinary people who participated in the Wabash Y's programming can teach us valuable lessons as we aim to lift up our communities and fight for justice today.