CARDINAL RITTER BIRTHPLACE FOUNDATION (CRBF) TIMELINE

2001 – Birthplace of Cardinal Ritter, 1218 E. Oak Street, slated for demolition. Mr. Paul Graf notifies local preservationists of building’s significance.

2002 –Purchase of property by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. Stabilization efforts and capital campaign begin to save the home.

2003 – Donation of stabilization funds of $25,000 from the Efroymson Fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation. Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc. is formed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the assistance of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.

2004 – Grassroots efforts for fundraising, including a golf scramble and donated services by local construction teams to stabilize the structure continue. First formal meeting of the Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors is conducted.

2005 – $1 million fundraising effort begins to complete restoration and establish an endowment fund for maintenance.

2006 – Structure released from Historic Landmarks Foundation, Inc. to the Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation for on-going care and management.

2007 – Historical marker dedication conducted on July 22 by Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Archdiocese of St. Louis, and Monsignor Joseph Schaedel, Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

2008 – Indianapolis Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein blesses the Neighborhood Resource Center addition, under construction.

2009 – Open House held to entice non-profits to utilize the home. Ritter Park, across Oak Street from the Ritter Birthplace, formally dedicated on August 16, 2009.

2010 – Home of the Innocents becomes the primary tenant.

2011 – Neighborhood Resource Center building addition is dedicated on April 19.

2011 – Ritter Family Reunion held at the Ritter Birthplace on July 30. Over 50 members from across the nation gathered.

2012 – Facelift Award presented by the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission to the Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation, Inc.

2013 – Irish Coffee Lecture Series begins on March 14.

2013 – Museum blessed and dedicated on July 17 by New Albany native Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore.

2014 – Formal visioning process conducted by the Board of Directors to establish a five year plan for the future.

2015 – Ritter Park Sign Dedication held on August 15.

2016 – Cardinal Ritter Bronze Bust by local sculptor Guy Tedesco (second from left in photo) unveiled in November.

2017 – The Year of Our Cardinal, a year-long celebration of Joseph Cardinal Ritter.

2019 – On March 14, sculptor Guy Tedesco unveiled a maquette model for a life-sized five-piece bronze public art piece of Cardinal Ritter to be installed on the lawn of the Ritter Birthplace.

2020, December 31, due to the effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the economy, Home of the Innocents withdrew from the Cardinal Ritter House and their southern Indiana programming.