Since the earliest days of our states and our country, Catholic Women Religious have made immeasurable contributions to the development of communities and the health and welfare of residents, from founding hospitals and social service agencies, to serving as educators in under-resourced neighborhoods. They have also kept meticulous records. These valuable collections contain journals, diaries, manuscripts, published books, photos and document the times in which they lived and the lives of those they assisted.
The future WRAC heritage center will honor the past accomplishments of women religious while also inspiring future generations to think, dream, and serve in response to the needs of their time.
In addition to serving as a permanent repository for the archives of women religious, WRAC will make collections accessible in person and online to researchers, authors, film producers, doctoral students, genealogists, and other interested parties who seek to learn more about the mission and ministries of Women Religious. It will also provide support for educational pursuits with space for interns, librarians, historians, and preservationists looking to practice their craft.
WRAC will also feature a dynamic programmatic arm to share research, present in-person and virtual programs, and connect to other similar institutions across the U.S. and beyond.
Scheduled to open in 2025, the WRAC center, designed by Cleveland-based Bostwick Design Partnership, will be a 32,000 square foot, $16 million state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facility. It will feature a repository for up to 30 congregations’ archival holdings, administrative, exhibition, and meeting spaces.
In total, WRAC expects to meet the needs of more than 500 individual women religious who are members of these congregations today, giving them agency over telling their stories for future generations.
Download a heritage center case for support or donate.
