The Young Men's Union records document the activities of this Salem, Massachusetts, literary association which presented lecturers, musicians, dramatists, and singers for its programs. The collection has been divided into two series.

Series I. Administrative Records contains a complete run of the Unions' record books from its inception to the 1800. The books contain summaries of various meetings of the Union's leaders as well as elections, reports, and special campaigns, and special committees. The last record book provides information about the decline of the Union. (B1 F1-3) The volume of membership lists (B1 F4), which provides names and addresses of members, includes some famous signatures. Also included are the constitution and bylaws, and some loose records of annual reports and minutes from various meetings (B1 F5); treasurer's reports and account for lecture series (B1 F6); reports from committees and petitions from members to different committees (B1 F7); invitations to members for different events, notices of business meetings, and correspondence directed to potential lecturers (B1 F8); listing of books and papers taken by the library (B1 F9); correspondence regarding the proposed purchase of Mechanic Hall (B1 F10); and miscellaneous papers which include tributes to deceased members and especially well-receive lecturers (B1 F11). Of special note with the library papers is a letter entitled "Discovery of Paper Thief" which describes the discovery by a hidden detective that the janitor, who was also a member of the Union, was stealing the daily newspaper.

Series II. Correspondence consists of outgoing correspondence and incoming correspondence. Two letter books contain outgoing correspondence (B2 F1-2). Each volume contains an alphabetical index. Most of the outgoing correspondence consists of invitations to lectures and issues pertaining to dates and fees.

The incoming correspondence (B2 and B3) ranges from 1855 to 1877. In addition to lecturers, the Union invited musicians, dramatists, and singers to perform. The letters contains responses, acceptances, and refusals to the Corresponding Secretary from many distinguished men and women lecturers. Some mention dates and the titles of the lectures, concerts, or plays to be presented. An index of correspondents can be found in Appendix I.