Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center, Peterborough NH

Who We Are
    About The Museum
    Vision & Mission
    Family Friendly

What's Happening
    Calendar
    Upcoming Events

Get Involved
    Make a Gift
    Become a Member
    Volunteer
    Donate an Artifact

Things to See
    Current Exhibit
    Recent Exhibits
    YouTube
    Explore the Museum
    Explore the World

Education
    Booking a Tour
    School Teachers
    Summer Camp

How We Work
    Board
    Partners
    Grantors

Executive Director Opening

Contact Us
    Hours & Directions
    Contact
    E-News Signup
    Site Map
    Home

Elementary School students performing the White Dove Dance
for the Cambodian New Year, Peterborough Townhouse, April 2002

Vision

We envision a peaceful and connected world.

Mission

Our mission is to bring the world to New England's doorstep by providing extraordinary programs and celebrations of world cultures.

How

The Mariposa Museum brings the rich diversity of world cultures to New England. Through education programs, exhibits, performances and workshops, we provide a unique place for children, seniors and adults to celebrate our common humanity.

The Mariposa is a passport to the world. Our hands-on approach encourages people to explore the world through all their senses. With a special focus on children and education, we use art and everyday objects, folklore and mythology, traditions and stories to broaden awareness of both the differences and common ground between cultures.

Values

We believe that love and compassion will transform the world. We intend to model in our behavior what we would like to see in the world. The Mariposa board and staff are committed to respect, learn from and enjoy each other, every visitor and every culture of the world.

Fellowship in Prayer

The following interview with Joan Chittister appeared in a recent issue of Sacred Journey, the publication of Fellowship in Prayer. It states very beautifully the spiritual basis for living in harmony with all creation, and it challenges us to "see all people — old, young, male, female — as equals, to be united." It is reprinted here with the permission of Joan Chittister and Sacred Journey. We thank them.

www.fellowshipinprayer.org

Interview

Charter for Compassion

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

http://charterforcompassion.org

Letter for Tolerance

Ken Braun has written a letter about 9/11 and tolerance that resonates with an experience that Indian friends in Brattleboro had after 9/11. Their store sold clothing from Asia, and they had on display a beautiful wedding garment from India. Someone walked into their store with a blowtorch and tried to set fire to their store. Fortunately he failed, but he did scorch the wedding garment. They could no longer sell it and gave it to Mariposa. We have had it on display with the scorch marks hidden in back. It is very beautiful. It also tells a sad story of intolerance and inspires us to envision and work for a connected and peaceful world. Read Ken's letter below.

http://www.rootsworld.com

A remarkable clip from BBC that shows the diversity of the human family and the places we inhabit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=2HiUMlOz4UQ&vq=large

Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg

"Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding."

Linda Marsella

Linda Marsella: December 17, 1949 - June 20 2007

Shortly before the Summer Solstice on the evening of June 20th, 2007 the Mariposa Museum lost its butterfly, dreamer, co-founder, director Linda Marsella to cancer. The family’s wish that the museum continue in the spirit of Linda’s profound belief, that we can live peacefully in a world with mutual respect, is being carried forward by the Mariposa’s board of directors, administration, staff and volunteers.

When children are raised with respect and curiosity towards
other cultures, the world will know more peace and less war.