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Cliff Smith Postcard Collection

The Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection is comprised of nearly 10,000 rare postcards dating from the 1890s that depict YMCA buildings, events, and activities in the United States and abroad, provides a unique and valuable understanding of the significance of the YMCA around the world. The postcards represent the only remaining image of many YMCA buildings of the past. In addition to architectural history, the collection also addresses such other topics as camping, aquatics, youth work, armed services, fitness and athletics, World War I, African American YMCAs, and Springfield College (formerly the International YMCA Training School). Digitized images are accessible through an online database in which postcards may be searched by keyword, title, subject, or location. YMCA











Cliff Smith was born and raised on Long Island, NY. Cliff graduated from Springfield College, received a Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska, and participated in advanced management programs at Southern Methodist University. Who would know that he would spend a lifetime in service with the YMCA? He became a member of the professional advisory councils for George Williams College and Springfield College and led them in record-setting local association campaigns to support YMCA professional leadership. He was recognized by both colleges for his efforts. He later served as President and CEO of the Cleveland, Ohio, YMCA. Supporting the International Division of the YMCA of the USA, he led several national million-dollar efforts to increase funding for international programs. With Cliff’s leadership in Russia and Siberia, his dream that some day YMCAs would be successfully launched in the former Soviet Union has come true.