Quaker Scholar To Speak at Susan B Anthony Birthplace Museum Celebration

11:36AM / Tuesday, February 10, 2026Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass.—Psychology-of-peace expert, author, and Quaker Dr. Rachel M. MacNair will be speak at the annual birthday celebration for Susan. B. Anthony. Hosted by the Susan B. Anthony Birthday Museum in Adams, Mass., the event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m. in G.A.R. Memorial Hall at the Adams Free Library, 92 Park Street.

Dr. MacNair is a nationally recognized psychologist, sociologist, author, and peace scholar whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to Quaker principles of equality and nonviolence, values deeply shared by Susan B. Anthony and the Quaker community in which she was raised.

A graduate of Earlham College, a historic Quaker institution known for its emphasis on peace studies and civic responsibility, MacNair holds a doctorate in psychology with interdisciplinary training in sociology. Her work has been recognized with multiple professional awards honoring her contributions to ethics, education, and peace studies. In 2011, she was awarded the Outstanding Service Award from the American Psychological Association.

Born into a Quaker family in Adams, Mass., Susan B. Anthony was shaped by the Religious Society of Friends' (Quaker) teachings on the inherent equality and dignity of all people, which guided her lifelong advocacy for women's rights, abolition, and social justice.

"Dr. MacNair's scholarship offers a meaningful lens through which to understand Anthony's Quaker upbringing here in the Berkshires and how those values shaped her advocacy for women's rights throughout her life," said Lucy Czaja Anthony, an Adams' resident and Birthplace Museum board member.

The Feb. 15 event will begin with a reception for attendees, followed by the keynote speaker, and questions from the audience. Seating is limited, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. G.A.R. Memorial Hall is located on the second floor. Elevator access is available via the Melrose Street entrance.

For more information, visit www.susanbanthonybirthplace.org or e-mail info@susanbanthonybirthplace.org.

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Cheshire Speed Limits Reduced, Code of Conduct Mulled

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:24AM / Tuesday, August 11, 2026

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Some streets will soon be slower for cars with the Department of Public Works replacing the speed limit signs in response to community concerns.

The town adopted Chapter 90, Section 17C to reduce some local road speed limits to 25 mph. Twenty-three streets are approved by the state; signs are ordered from the state Department of Transportation and should arrive within a couple weeks.

DPW Director Corey McGrath told the Selectmen at last Tuesday's meeting that the department had received concerns from residents wanting people to be slower on the following streets:

Church Street
East Main Street
portions of Wells Road
Main Street
Furnace Hill Road
Flaherty Road
Pit Road
Prospect Street
Dean Street
Richmond Street
School Street
Railroad Street
Depot Street
Richardson Street
5th Avenue
Meadowview Drive
Wood Lane
Dean Street Extension
portions of Ingalls Road
Devonshire Drive
Yorkshire Drive
Berkshire Drive
Wilshire Drive

Chair Michelle Francesconi asked McGrath to look into the signs solar-powered "slow down" signs. She also spoke about increasing problems with electric bicycles and similar devices.

Young people are going 30 to 40 mph, often on sidewalks, weaving between cars, cutting through private property and town property and riding in the road, she said, and brought up how other towns are creating bylaws to address these problems. Francesconi thought the board should look into it as well as a matter of public safety.

The state is currently revising related laws, so the board will see what the Legislature passes and then model bylaws on other communities.

Francesconi also said that since there is limited police coverage at night during most of the behavior, she suggested shifting some patrol hours to evenings to address youth riding behavior.

Later in the meeting, Francesconi also brought up code of conduct for town employees as she has been receiving numerous reports regarding professionalism, boundaries, confidentiality, and internal relationships and communication among town hall staff, department heads, and with the public.

She said town counsel has recommended adopting a code of conduct as well as providing training. After some discussion, the board decided to get a catalog of training options and identify mandatory and optional trainings. Members are also thinking of doing them in-person.

In other news, the Fire Department's rescue boat missing from the water because motor is broken and is in the process of being replaced.

There are two applicants in the running for the police chief position who will be doing the assessment center on Aug. 17. The Selectmen will get their resumes afterward and decide on interviews.

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