The Naugatuck History Museum continues its free program series, Stories That Shaped a Nation, with a thoughtful look at one of the most enduring ideas in American history.

Liberty and the American Experience

This presentation, led by Professor Hamish Lutris, explores how the meaning of liberty has developed, expanded, and been contested since 1776. Liberty has shaped the nation’s identity, yet it has also been the source of deep debate and conflict. Professor Lutris guides audiences through this evolving concept while drawing on the role of judicial interpretation, including the difference between enumerated and implied rights. Through this lens he highlights several of the nation’s most influential controversies over freedom, law, and civic responsibility.

Professor Lutris is an Associate Professor of History at Manchester Community College and serves on the Winchester Historic Commission. He is a respected regional speaker with long experience in historical interpretation. His work spans a wide range of topics including Native American history, the Civil War, both World Wars, the American West, and significant developments in scientific, social, and cultural history. His programs are known for their clarity, depth, and ability to make complex ideas accessible.

We welcome our community to join us for this meaningful look at the idea of liberty and the ways it has shaped the American experience from the Revolution to today.