MCLA Constitution Day Lecture Examines the History of American Citizenship

03:56PM / Thursday, September 10, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will hold its 2026 Constitution Day Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m., in Murdock Hall, Room 218.

The talk, "Debating Citizenship: A Historical Perspective on How the U.S. Has Defined Citizenship," is free and open to the public.

Dr. Ely Janis, professor of history at MCLA, will trace the contested history of American citizenship from the Naturalization Act of 1790 to the present, examining how immigration, race and national identity have shaped who counts as a citizen. The lecture will connect that history to current debates over immigration, birthright citizenship, and national belonging.

A question-and-answer session will follow.

Constitution Day was established as a federal holiday in 2004 and first celebrated in 2005, recognizing the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. The Constitution Day Lecture is made possible by MCLA’s Department of History and Political Science.

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North Adams Water Line Break Shuts Off Service on Ashland; McCann Dismisses Classes Early

Staff Reports iBerkshires
10:52AM / Friday, October 30, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A water main that broke Friday morning has affected water service south of Main Street along Ashland and Church streets and caused McCann Technical School to close early.

The break occurred shortly before 9 a.m. near the Roots Teen Center; Ashland Street between Summer Street and American Legion Drive was closed to traffic to allow crews to work on repairs.

"The way it was coming out, we were hoping it was a sprinkler line for the old Nassif's, but there's no sprinkler line in there, so it's a main line," said Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau. "We're trying to get it isolated. Once we get isolated, everything's coming back."

This break is causing areas of the city to have little to no water pressure.

McCann Technical posted that its Tea Room would be closed and then announced early dismissal for 11:15 a.m. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has cancelled all classes.

The Water Department was opening connections around the affected area to close off the gates and redirect the flow until the line could be repaired. Water was flowing out of a hydrant past the post office and streaming down American Legion Drive.

American Legion Drive is open but the work crews are now in the intersection of Ashland and Summer Street and traffic will be disrupted. The city is asking that motorists and pedestrians avoid the affected area whenever possible "to allow our crews to work safely and efficiently."

For questions or concerns, contact the Water Department at 413-662-3157. In the event of an emergency, contact the Dispatch Center at 413-664-4944, Ext. 1.

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