Display to celebrate Sisters of Providence and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College 175 year history

(Note: This information was provided by the Indiana State Museum)

INDIANAPOLIS – The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, a Congregation of Roman Catholic women religious (sisters), will be featured through a historic artifacts display titled A Spirit of Service and Social Responsibility this July 11 through October 25, 2015 at the Indiana State Museum. The display coincides with the Congregation’s 175th anniversary.

“We are excited to tell the story of the work of the Sisters of Providence here in Indiana,” said Dale Ogden, Indiana State Museum senior curator of cultural history.

A Spirit of Service and Social Responsibility features 12 historic artifacts, including:

• Saint Mother Theodore Guerin’s Journal (1798-1856),

• Saint Mother Theodore’s Hand-bell,

• Sister Mary Joseph Le Fer Sewing Box,

• Slippers (pair) belonging to Sister Mary Joseph Le Fer,

• Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods habit (1915-1960),

• Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods chaplet,

• Catalog of Pupils, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Academy (1841-1892),

• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Academy Report Card, Matilda and Mary Richardson (1842),

• The Aurora, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College literary annual (1893),

• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College student uniform, circa 1910, and

• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College ring belonging to Sister Jeanne Knoerle (1949).

Among the artifacts are a multimedia display and numerous historic images, photos and historic narratives.

The Indiana State Museum is located at 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Exhibition gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sunday. The first Tuesday of each month (Community Tuesdays) features half-price admission. Auxiliary aids and services are available with advance notice. For more information, call the museum at 317-232-1637.

For ticket information, visit indianamuseum.org.