Women Religious Archives Collaborative

Building a Home for the History of Catholic Sisters

The mission of the Women Religious Archives Collaborative (WRAC) is to preserve the legacy of women religious in the United States. WRAC is accomplishing this mission by building a heritage center in Cleveland, which will serve as a permanent home for the archives of more than 75 congregations from across the United States and Canada. Set to open in 2026, the center will be open to the public for research, education, programming, and presentations. 

Contributions through the 2024 #WeGiveCatholic Giving Day will support the center's exhibit space, which will bring to life the stories of how Catholic Sisters have impacted American, Church, and women's history over centuries through their committed faith and service.

Your support is an important contribution to a larger $24 million campaign goal to construct and operate WRAC's heritage center.

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Groundbreaking in Spring 2025!

WRAC will break ground on the heritage center in Spring 2025 in Cleveland's Central Neighborhood, where sisters have served for over 150 years. Benefits of the 30,000 square-foot center include:

• A strategic location close to many colleges, universities, museums, and libraries
• Spaces for research, dynamic public programming, exhibitions, and meetings
• A temperature-controlled and professionally managed vault to store collections   
• Equipment and space for processing, conserving and digitizing archival materials

Over 40 collections from across the U.S. and Canada are committed to WRAC. These records hold the stories of the women who built and staffed schools, hospitals, churches, and social service agencies, and were leaders and innovators in our communities. Access to these stories through research, exhibits, and programming at WRAC’s heritage center will inform and inspire future generations.