Anthony Bowen, YMCA. Source: YMCA of the USA Archives

In 1987-88, the Shaw Heritage Trust began an effort to rehabilitate the abandoned Anthony Bowen (historically the Twelfth Street) YMCA Building.

Although the 1908-12 building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places, documentation strongly suggested that the Anthony Bowen YMCA met the level of national significance necessary for listing as a National Historic Landmark.

For the National Historic Landmark study, EHT Traceries conducted extensive research into the earliest YMCAs across the country, as well as examining documentation evaluating the Anthony Bowen YMCA as the first purpose-built YMCA facility designed to meet the social, athletic, and intellectual interests of America's African-American male youth.

The firm analyzed materials related to relevant NHL themes, particularly "Social and Humanitarian Movements," justifying the building's merit under the NHL Criteria 1 (association with events that have made a significant contribution to, and are identified with, or that outstandingly represent, the broad national patterns of United States history and from which an understanding and appreciation of those patterns may be gained) and prepared the NHL application.

In 1994, the National Historic Landmarks Panel designated the property as a National Historic Landmark.