Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Nice & Easy Walk
2025-02-14 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-18 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) and 5 more dates | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Postponed until March 1st: A Bridge Too Far
2025-02-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
We are postponing our program ‘A Bridge Too Far’ until March 1st, 2-3 p.m. See you then! Here are the details:What about building new bridges in Gilded Age Turners Falls drove neighbors and whole towns against each other? How do these dramas and debates that played out in newspapers and town meetings still impact us today? Join DCR staff as we piece together the stories and lessons of these burning questions affecting all five villages in Montague during the late 1800s. For youth and adults. Meet in the Great Hall.

A French/Breton Jam Session
2025-02-23 14:30 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
All ages. An informal group of musicians gathers to play the enchanting traditional dance music from France and Brittany, commonly known as bal folk. This is not a performance but rather a coming together of musically minded friends. The event is free and open to the public to come and go at will. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing Great Hall Exhibit— Cameron Schmitz: Where We Are, Together
2025-03-01 - 2025-05-26 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” Enjoy the paintings of Greenfield artist, Cameron Schmitz, who uses color and mark-making as her language of expression. “Dashes of paint and gestural strokes tell a story— orchestrated by movement, intuition, and the shifting of time.” Our Great Hall room is also a programming space. If there is a program in progress, you are welcome to visit the Great Hall to view the exhibits.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

A Bridge Too Far
2025-03-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
What about building new bridges in Gilded Age Turners Falls drove neighbors and whole towns against each other? How do these dramas and debates that played out in newspapers and town meetings still impact us today? Join DCR staff as we piece together the stories and lessons of these burning questions affecting all five villages in Montague during the late 1800s. For youth and adults. Meet in the Great Hall.

To Breathe Freely: Tenements of Turners Falls
2025-03-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
As the brick blocks went up, the Turners Falls tenements tested every aspect of the town, from its ability to deal with disease to what laborers expected from their lot in life. Join DCR staff as we use photographs, maps and news clippings to step back in time and learn about life in the tenements. Ages 12 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.

Haiku Tiny Books *
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Co-sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries, join Denise Fontaine-Pincince in this hands-on workshop to create a ‘Tiny Book’ to showcase a haiku of your choice. Bring up to five of your favorite haikus. Registered participants receive a sample selection of modern-day haiku prior to the workshop to help you choose. All book-making materials are provided for free. View sample ‘tiny books’ on the YouTube video— Haiku Gifts: art with poetry by Denise Fontaine-Pincince. For adults and young adults ages 16 and up. Limited space. Registration is required: call the Carnegie Library at (413) 863-3214. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Artist reception: Cameron Schmitz: Where We Are, Together *
2025-03-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
View Cameron Schmitz’s exhibit of paintings, enjoy refreshments, and meet the artist. Cameron Schmitz uses color and mark-making as her language of expression. At 4:15 p.m., Cameron speaks briefly about her work, with a Q&A. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries as part of the Big Read. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Artist talk by Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude cover artist Arista Alanis *
2025-04-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Meet Arista Alanis and hear how her painting “on down the road” became the image used for Ross Gay’s Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude book cover and about her creative process. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries NEA Big Read of Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

A French/Breton Jam Session
2025-04-13 14:30 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
An informal group of musicians gathers to play the enchanting traditional dance music from France and Brittany, commonly known as bal folk. This is not a performance but rather a coming together of musically-minded friends. The event is free and open to the public to come and go at will. All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Community Watch Party—A Conversation with Ross Gay *
2025-04-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Monday, April 14, 7—8 p.m.
Join us for a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read keynote event, moderated by Matt Donovan, Director of The Boutelle-Day Poetry Center, Smith College, in conversation with Ross Gay, author of the NEA Big Read book: Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. Watch the conversation unfold on the big screen at in the Great Hall. Hosted by the Springfield Public Forum and co-sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries’ NEA Big Read, The Care Center, and All Hamptons Read. At 8:30 p.m., an after party with music begins at the nearby Rendezvous, 78 Thirds Street, Turners Falls.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Where We Live: Sense of Place Concert and Writers Showcase with Erica Wheeler *
2025-04-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Singer-songwriter Erica Wheeler performs a concert of place-based songs and invites participants from her NEA Big Read workshop series to share their writings with the audience. The event is free and open to all, refreshments provided. To learn more about taking a workshop visit: https://deerfield-ma.org/nea-big-read-2025-events/. Meet in the Great Hall. Free Copies of Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, will be available!
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Wissatinnewag Walk - Friends of GFDC only
2025-05-03 09:30 - 11:00 | MA
Saturday May 3, 2025
9:30 a.m. (Pre-registration necessary)
On Saturday May 3, the Friends of the Discovery Center will host a guided
visit and hike on Wissatinnewag, the Nolumbeka Project, Inc property in Greenfield.
Special event for Friends members only.
The hike will be guided by Nolumbeka chairman David Brule
and land steward Brent Pitcher.
This walk and talk will cover stories of the land from a spiritual, historical,
ecological, and archaeological perspective.
There will be some moderate hiking on rough terrain, wear appropriate shoes.
Be prepared for ticks!
The walk is limited to 20 members. Please register at this site:
https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/friends-hike-at-wissatinnewag/
Note: You can join or update your membership at the hike OR on Friends website
https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/friends-of-the-gfdc/
Registered members meet at the Discovery Center at 9:30 a.m. to carpool to
the Wissatinnewag site.
Required Liability Waivers will be available on site to sign prior to the walk.
For further info & questions call (413) 774-0204
Rain or shine ~ Heavy rain cancels

Indigo Dyeing & Shibori with Gail Callahan *
2025-05-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Learn about the art of Shibori and experience the magic of indigo dyeing during this hands-on workshop for adults and children, ages six and up accompanied by an adult. This NEA Big Read workshop will celebrate the poem written by Naomi Shihab Nye, “Dear Sky.” Participants each receive a white cotton square to dye, but are also invited to bring one small natural fiber item to dye if there is room in the dyepot, e.g. a cotton t-shirt or camisole. No pre-registration required. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.
* NEA BIG READ
The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

“The Extincts” Event and Drawing Demo
2025-05-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join the Montague Public Libraries and the Great Falls Discovery Center for a program and drawing demo with graphic novelist and illustrator Scott Magoon! This Mass Kids Lit Fest event is presented in partnership with the Mass Center for the Book. For ages 7 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nolumbeka Project Day of Remembrance
2025-05-17 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Commemorate the 349th Anniversary of the Great Falls Massacre, outdoors weather permitting, or in the Great Hall. Tribal members and non-Tribal public are welcome. Honored guests include: Liz Coldwind Santana Kiser, Elder, Council Woman, and Tribal Historical Preservation Officer for the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians and others. For more info visit: www.nolumbekaproject.org. Free and open to all. Light refreshments provided. Co-sponsored by Nolumbeka Project and DCR. For all ages.

Ongoing Great Hall Exhibit — Dam Culture 1995-2025: Skateboarding in Montague, MA
2025-05-31 - 2025-06-29 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Jeremy Latch presents a photographic and video still exhibit of skateboarding in Montague, MA. Dam Culture reveals 30 years of images of people skateboarding in our town’s public spaces and includes recently digitized footage of the 1990’s and 2000’s. The exhibit contains a record of lost spaces: no longer present landscapes and structures. It is a witness to the ongoing changing architecture of Montague. For all ages. Reception on June 21 2 – 4 p.m. in the Great Hall.

First Friday: Migratory Fish on 3rd Street
2025-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Third Street – Downtown Turners Falls, 24 - 42 Third Street, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us on 3rd Street for RiverCulture’s First Friday event and learn all about migratory fish at our investigation station. During the event 3rd Street, from Avenue A to the Brick House, is open to pedestrians only.
