Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center
The Great Falls Discovery Center hosts community programs and events, rotating art exhibits in our Great Hall and a Coffee House hosted by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather […]
In 1900, about 40% of Americans lived in rural areas. By 2010, less than 18% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. Massive economic and social changes led to massive growth of America’s cities. Through a partnership with the world’s largest museum complex, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center proudly hosts “Crossroads: Changes in […]
See the village’s ever changing downtown through reproduced images courtesy of the Montague Historical Society Archive. This self-guided storefront exhibition is an open invitation to think about local, regional and national changes in “doing business” in rural America. At participating restaurant and retail stores in downtown Turners Falls including: LOOT, Breakdown Records, The Shea Theater, […]
Exhibition of Illustrations by Nina Rossi. This exhibition of digital illustrations was originally published in the Montague Reporter between 2019 and 2022. Created by local artist and Turners Falls resident Nina Rossi, the illustrations depict scenes of local daily life. Reception Sunday, February 19 at 4pm. "Crossroads: Change in Rural America" will be on view at […]
In the Great Falls Discovery Center's Hallway Gallery, near the dioramas, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA) presents reproductions of historic maps, illustrations, photographs, and paintings exploring perspectives of the image makers. How are our rural places represented in the media? Maps, illustrations, photographs, and paintings were the media of the past. Like today, the […]
Come be the first to see the Smithsonian Exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, in Turners Falls! Get the scoop on how rural America has changed since 1900. The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center board members, expert hosts of the monthly Great Falls Coffeehouse series, provide coffee and refreshments for this big day. […]
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather […]
Join us at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls to jump start your Crossroads experience with storytelling, a short local film, and live music. Hear an introduction to the Crossroads exhibit and related programming with Leo Hwang, UMASS Amherst Assistant Academic Dean. Enjoy the documentary short film, “A Sweet Tradition,” by filmmaker Steve […]
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather […]
Find out what industries were created throughout Franklin County, before, during and after industrialization of the Turners Falls canal. Learn how much industrial activity there once was along the streams and rivers in some of our now-quiet towns and villages and how that activity related to the larger industries in our region. Presenters: Jim Terapane, […]
Why is there a canal in Turners Falls? Think flatboats, cutlery, and turbines! During our February School Vacation Week open hours, visit with Department of Conservation and Recreation park interpreters to explore the three reasons for the canal, including a few glimpses of life here before the canal was built. Learn how the canal has […]
Exhibition of Illustrations by Nina Rossi Exhibition February 5- March 18. Reception Sunday, February 19 at 4pm. This exhibition of digital illustrations was originally published in the Montague Reporter between 2019 and 2022. Created by local artist and Turners Falls resident Nina Rossi, the illustrations depict scenes of local daily life. "Crossroads: Change in Rural […]
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather […]
Join silversmith Steve Smithers as he explores the story of the first tradesmen/artisans who came to Greenfield and the surrounding towns in the late 18th century, which eventually led to the emergence of the great metal industries of our region. Steve will also discuss and demonstrate the tools and techniques of these early makers. Then, […]
Due to snow on Tuesday, our new date is March 1 at 6 p.m. Soup Night, Quiz Night, and Community Conversation! Enjoy delicious locally-prepared soup and join your Franklin County neighbors in a dialog about food, farms, and food security. Free! Registration required. Seats limited. To register, please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/CMnfxZXbPf3S77DMA […]
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather […]
New England Public Media presents with the Nolumbeka Project, a talk with Dr. Margaret M. Bruchac (Nulhegan Abenaki), Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. Free Event. This program is continuing as planned at 4 p.m. at the Shea Theater. Native American memories and histories in the valley of the Kwinitekw (Connecticut River) […]
Class size is limited, and currently it is full. To sign up for the waitlist, please fill in the form here: https://forms.gle/Q8WvcyQwNGWh54EBA Artists have long celebrated the beauty of Franklin County’s rural landscape. Be one of them as you create your own small abstract land and waterscapes inspired by the views around us. Adults and […]