Opened in 1952 by the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (SASV), the Academie Maria Assumpta (AMA), more commonly known as Maria Assumpta Academy, served as a private Catholic boarding school for girls until it closed in 1973. In 2008, ownership of the building that once housed hundreds of high school girls was transferred to the town of Petersham and the windows and doors were shuttered.

With the passage of time, it becomes more apparent that the stories of each of the girls whose lives were touched by their time with the Sisters are slowly fading. We hope to share with each visitor the memories and images that defined generations of girls at the AMA.