Archivists for Congregations
of women religious
Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious (ACWR) assists lay and religious archivists in the management, interpretation, and preservation of the historical record of Catholic sisters and nuns in the United States and worldwide.
transitioning ARCHIVES
Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious (ACWR) is pleased to share the Religious Archives in Transition Toolkit, a free 150+ page guide to assist congregations of women religious in transitioning their archival collections to a
successor repository.
ACWR LEADERSHIP-CENTERED WEBINAR SERIES OCTOBER 2024 - MARCH 2025
Welcome
ACWR a national organization of approximately 350 members, was born out of awareness that religious archives are unique. A separate organization was needed to address their issues. The first meeting, initiated by a small group of women religious, was held as a roundtable at the 1990 Conference of the Society of American Archivists.
ACWR is open to archivists of women’s religious congregations, historians of women’s history, and anyone supportive of its mission. An executive board sets policy for the organization and carries out its operations. ACWR depends on donations from individuals and congregations to cover expenses.
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11 hours ago by Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious ACWR
#ThrowbackThursday
For this week’s #TBT, we are delighted to share the history of the Museum at the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude! “St. Gertrude’s Museum was started on November 18, 1931 as a project of the biology class. It was first housed in the third story of the old school building. Museum items which had accumulated through the years at St. Scholastica’s Academy, Colton, and St. Gertrude’s Convent and Academy were the foundation of the Museum. In April 1954, about a month after classes had been started in the new St. Gertrude’s Academy, the Museum was moved to the quarters in the basement. The Museum and the workroom were specially designed for that purpose.” Here is a photo of the Museum today! Shared with permission from Jean Melching, Archivist, Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Education
ACWR offers expertise from a variety of voices—Sister and Lay Archivists, and Leadership. Visit this page to learn about current trends through archival webinars, resources, and tutorials.
Mentoring
If you are new to archives or are transitioning into a women religious archives, our long-standing mentoring program is here to help! Connect with some of our mentors through
our contact form.
Job Postings
We encourage professional archivists to explore the unique opportunities presented by careers in religious repositories. Click here for postings submitted from institutions across the United States!
FREE WEBINARS
ACWR is dedicated to sharing archival best practices, applicable case studies, and current trends in the Women Religious space from our brightest and most innovative colleagues.
SOCIAL JUSTICE and ARCHIVES
Historically, women religious ministry served marginalized communities, these Archives possess the stories of unwritten voices. Additionally, self-reflective archiving reveals hard truths and opportunities for reconciliation and healing.
TRANSISTIONING ARCHIVES
As Congregations begin to plan for fulfillment, ACWR understands that Archives will be one of the last portals to support future Charism, mission and legacy into perpetuity.
Our future is our past
We appreciate your support
Contact
If you have any questions or if you have a resource that you would like to share, please use the form to send us a message or contact us by using the information below.
5900 Delhi Road
Archivists
Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051
archivistsacwr@gmail.com
513.347.4080