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Casa Angelica (Foundation) Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-491-BC

Scope and Content

The Casa Angelica papers include correspondence, 1961-84; by-laws of the Casa Angelica Foundation (formerly the New Mexico Foundation for Retarded Children) and the Casa Angelica Auxiliary; minutes of board meetings; bills and receipts; and news clippings. The collection also contains some personal papers and correspondence of the Arrigoni family, including notes and drafts of a book about Casa Angelica by Rena Arrigoni and Carol Cohea. Printed material (publications and ephemera) regarding mental retardation, nursing homes, the Cannossian Sisters and other religious material is at the end of the MSS 49l collection. Architectural plans for Casa Angelica and the Arrigoni home were transferred to the John Gaw Meem Archive of Southwestern Architecture. Photographs are housed in CSWR photoarchives. Also know as Casa Angelica (Albuquerque, N.M.) Records.

Dates

  • 1961-1987

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Institutional History

Casa Angelica, a residential care facility for severely retarded children opened in January 1967. The idea for such a facility took shape in early 1962 when Rena Arrigoni organized the original board of the New Mexico Foundation for Severely Retarded Children. In 1965 the Canossian Sisters agreed to operate the nursing home, already named Casa Angelica, on property they owned on Isleta Boulevard south of Albuquerque. The existing structure, an historic home, would not meet state requirements for a nursing home, so a new building was planned. It was constructed in 1966 near the original building which served as a residence for the nuns who worked at Casa Angelica. The Casa Angelica Auxiliary was formed in May 1966 as a service and fund raising agency of Casa Angelica. The annual fund raising efforts have included a membership tea and fashion show.

Several educational and therapeutic programs are available to the children at Casa Angelica. The educational program was established in cooperation with the Albuquerque Public Schools in 1976. Children who are able, attend public schools, while special education teachers go to Casa Angelica to work with the other children. Physical therapy is provided by volunteers at Casa Angelica, where a therapy park was built by the Civitan Club. An addition to Casa Angelica was built in 1971, providing more rooms, and in 1984 a therapeutic pool was completed.

Rena and Al Arrigoni of Albuquerque were the driving force behind the establishment of Casa Angelica. They were inspired by the need for quality, 24 hour care for their severely retarded daughter and the lack of such a facility in New Mexico.

Extent

2 boxes, plus 1 oversized folder

Separated Material

Pictorial material has been transferred to the Casa Angelica (Foundation) Pictorial Collection.

Plans for Arrigoni home and Casa Angelica are housed in the Meem Archives.
Title
Finding aid of the Casa Angelica (Foundation) Records, 1961-1987
Status
For Approval
Author
Processed by CSWR Staff
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 491 BC::Casa Angelica (Albuquerque, N.M.) Records)//EN" "nmu1mss491bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451