YWCA of Boston (first) opens.

(ca.) The organization is located initially at 23 Chauncy Street [Beach Street-HBI]. Founded at a meeting in the home of Pauline Durant at 77 Mount Vernon Street on March 3, 1866, it is the first Young Woman’s Christian Association chapter in the U.S. Durant is the first president and serves until 1905. Its purpose is “To care for the temporal, moral and religious welfare of young women” – especially those moving from rural areas and small towns to the city,” and it is initially criticized by those who think women should not live independently. The organization moves to the former Fifth Universalist Church at 74 Warrenton Street (second), to a new building (third) on Berkeley Street in 1884,* then to another new building (fourth) on Clarendon Street in 1929.*