09/18/2026
Today, we proudly celebrate Henry A. Sherwin, one of the founders of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, as he is posthumously inducted into the National YMCA Hall of Fame during YMCA of the USA’s General Assembly in New Orleans.
Best known as a founder of The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sherwin also played a defining role in the YMCA movement. He helped establish our YMCA in 1854, served as a volunteer leader and president, and conceived the first Railroad YMCA—an innovative model that provided safe lodging, support and connection for railroad workers and later spread across the country.
“Henry A. Sherwin helped build two institutions that have endured for generations. His induction into the National YMCA Hall of Fame appropriately recognizes not only what he accomplished, but also the values that guided his life and leadership,” said Timothy Hilk, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland at the Induction ceremony.
The connection Henry Sherwin helped establish continues today. The Sherwin-Williams Company remains an important part of our YMCA community, as Justin Binns, president of the company’s Global Architectural Business, serves as chair of our Board of Directors.
More than 170 years later, we are proud to carry Henry Sherwin’s legacy of service, leadership and commitment to community forward.
