MCLA, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA.

"Coming out of the History Department at MCLA, and also having spent three years working on the Student Government Association (SGA), I had hoped to continue to pursue my interests and get a job working in government. I had been to the State House a few times for Student Lobby days, and had been in touch with my local representatives all throughout school, so after graduation, this was certainly to my advantage, as I now work on Beacon Hill."

Danielle Barboza ’06
Survivor Benefits Analyst – State Retirement Board, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

About The Area

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The Beautiful, HistoricBerkshire Hills
A College-Town in a Culturally Rich Community

Berkshires

MCLA has the good fortune to be located in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, one of the most scenic, historic, and culturally rich areas in America . Situated in North Adams, a city of about 14,700 in the northwest corner of Berkshire County, we are close to the Vermont and New York borders, and within a three-hour drive of both Boston and New York City . Long a destination for vacationers, tourists, and second-home owners, the Berkshires offer an interesting mix of rustic charm and cosmopolitan sophistication. On MCLA’s doorstep, you will find incredible opportunities to broaden your horizons.

Recreation

If you love the outdoors, the Berkshires offer magnificent options. Take a hike on the Appalachian Trail (which crosses over Mt. Greylock, the state’s highest peak); enjoy mountain biking, canoeing, fly fishing or kayaking. Go for a nature walk, or search out the area’s remarkable wildlife and bird populations. MCLA’s Outdoor Trailblazers Club connects with many of these wonderful recreational offerings. Our ski club travels to the area’s many ski areas, including Jiminy Peak, Mt. Snow, and Stratton. They provide challenges for snowboarders and skiers of all levels, with discounts offered to MCLA students.

Culture and History

The Berkshires offer an enormous array of cultural venues. You will find celebrated fine and performing arts centers such as the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, and Williams College Museum of Art just minutes from campus, along with Tanglewood Music Festival, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. The Norman Rockwell Museum , the historic homes of writers Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edith Wharton; and Chesterwood, the home and studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French, are just a few local sites of interest. You will soon find these resources serving as your “classrooms outside the classroom,” a valuable complement to your college experience.

MASS MoCA

North Adams is home to the nation’s largest center for contemporary arts, MASS MoCA. Located within walking distance from the MCLA campus, MASS MoCA is situated on 12 acres with 27 buildings featuring unparalleled galleries and performance spaces in refurbished 19th century factory buildings.