With a rich history dating back to 1890 when The Oakwood Department was formed to meet the needs of the growing urban population, the East Orange YMCA continues its tradition of providing special programs to serve the East Orange, Orange and Irvington Communities. The legacy of Herbert and Margaret Turrell to mankind – most particularly its youth – is legendary and is dramatically underlined with the dedication of this Turrell Gymnasium today. This magnificent facility is a gift of the Turrell Fund, a trust established by Herbert and Margaret Turrell in 1935 for the purpose of serving youth – most especially needy youth. Herbert Turrell was an example of what he dreamed for all youth; i.e., he felt, very deeply, that “with proper guidance and the practice of good health habits youth will grow to be responsible adults.” So it was with Mr. Turrell who, out of a humble beginning as a stock boy, became the founder and chief executive of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Turrell’s wishes being a primary criterion, the Turrell Gymnasium has been designed as a no-frills, highly utilitarian, facility built to provide an optimum use of space for a large variety of programs serving all ages of people, male and females, particularly the area’s most needy youngsters. Through the generosity of the Turrell Fund, the East Orange YMCA was constructed in 1977 on the former site of Margaret and Herbert Turrell’s home on the corner of North Arlington and William Streets in East Orange. The facility, as it was developed, served as a model for the changing philosophy of YMCA service. In 1978, the East Orange Turrell Branch achieved national prominence by being designated by the National Council of YMCAs as the nation's most outstanding example of a YMCA operated by minorities for underprivileged youth. In 1973, the YMCA had an opportunity to purchase a garage and a parking lot on North Munn Avenue in back of the East Orange Turrell Center. This lot was operated as a parking facility for a number of years until enough money was raised to build a gymnasium. With funds contributed by the Turrell Fund and other supporters, a gymnasium was built and dedicated on September 28, 1980. The East Orange YMCA is open to the community six days a week and houses child care classrooms, a heated, indoor pool, administrative offices, a gymnasium, teen center and a computer center.
