Inspired by the Sophia Project in Oakland, California and the writings of Rudolf Steiner, Linda Atamian, Paula Sager, and Patti Smith founded Mariposa in 2005 to create “a place that would nurture and protect the child’s emerging sense of self.” Mariposa initially offered weekend and after-school programs for eighth and third grade students at Highlander Charter School. In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education, Mariposa expanded to offer a preschool program for three- and four-year-olds. Mariposa dissolved at the end of the 2018 school year and donated all of its furniture and materials to the Dorcas International Institute, which will offer its own early childhood programming modeled on Mariposa.
The collection includes internal documents, publicity materials, curriculum and program resources, clippings related to Mariposa, and yearbooks and cookbooks published by Mariposa.
Researchers are advised that express permission to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection must be obtained from Rhode Island College Special Collections. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The collection is open for research.
Mariposa records, MSS-0025, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College
The collection has been arranged into the following series:
The collection is a gift of Mariposa founders Linda Atamian and Paula Sager.
The collection was initially organized and described by Patricia McIvor and Marlene Lopes in 2019. The collection was redescribed and the guide updated in 2023 by Abigail Standeven, Special Collections intern.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Atamian, L. and Sager, Paula (2019). Mariposa: A new education initiative takes root in Providence.
Steiner, R. (1966). Study of Man. 1966. London. It was removed from the Mariposa collection and added to the Special Collections Book collection.
This series contains correspondence, board and committee papers, event and fundraising files.
This series includes professional development, program manual, and curriculum materials.
This series includes newspaper clippings, newsletters, and publicity material, as well as cookbooks and yearbooks published by Mariposa.
This subseries contains yearbooks and a songbook from Mariposa.