Racine & Me: Siena Retreat Center’s 60th Anniversary Celebration

RACINE, WI (CBS 58) -- The Siena Retreat Center is about to celebrate 60 years in the community!

The 1960s were a time of profound change in America. As the Civil Rights Movement and the women’s movement reshaped society, conversations about purpose, justice, and the meaning of life took on new urgency.

In January of 1966, Sr. Agnes Claire Lanser, OP, who held a central office position within the Racine Dominican community, recognized that moment. She invited a group of Racine-area women to gather at what is now Siena Retreat Center for a weekend of reflection on the sweeping social shifts of the mid-1960s.

That gathering planted the seed for something lasting.

From that weekend retreat, a retreat ministry was born—one that has continued for six decades, offering space for reflection, connection, and personal growth within the Racine community and beyond.

Now, Siena Retreat Center is marking a major milestone.

The community is invited to celebrate 60 years of transformation during the Siena Retreat Center 60th Anniversary Open House Celebration on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The open house will feature:

• Guided tours of the center

• Program highlights from past and present

• Historical displays showcasing six decades of impact

• Opportunities to meet board members, staff, and volunteers

Guests will also have the chance to connect with community leaders and longtime friends of Siena while celebrating the center’s enduring mission.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public, and registration is not required. However, registering in advance will help organizers plan for attendance and ensure a successful celebration.

After sixty years, Siena Retreat Center continues to offer a place for pause, purpose, and community—just as it did when it all began in 1966.