Nice and Easy Walk
2024-01-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Nice and Easy Walk: Food, Farms, and Factories - The John Russell Cutlery Factory
2024-01-26 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Friday 1/26 topic: the John Russell Cutlery Factory for our Food, Farms, and Factories series. Meet at the main entrance.
Ongoing in 2024
Throughout 2024 the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories. Building on the success of Crossroads: Change in Rural America in 2023, the conversation continues about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by several local partners and funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Visit: greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Nice and Easy Walk
2024-02-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-16 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Friday 2/23: For our Food, Farms, and Factories Fourth Friday Series the topic is American Shad. Meet at the Main Entrance.

Nice and Easy Walk: Food, Farms, and Factories
2024-02-23 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Friday 2/23: The topic will be American shad for our Food, Farms, and Factories series. Meet at the main entrance.
Ongoing in 2024
Throughout 2024 the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories. Building on the success of Crossroads: Change in Rural America in 2023, the conversation continues about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by several local partners and funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Visit: greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, Montague Public Libraries, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, and the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association.

Nice & Easy Walks
2024-03-01 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Nice and Easy Walk: Food, Farms, and Factories
2024-03-29 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance. Friday 3/29: For our Food, Farms, and Factories* Fourth Friday Series the topic is: Polish Clubs.

Ongoing in 2024
Throughout 2024 the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories. Building on the success of Crossroads: Change in Rural America in 2023, the conversation continues about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by several local partners and funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Visit: greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Nice & Easy Walks
2024-04-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-04-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-04-19 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels.

Nice & Easy Walks - In An Immigrant's Footsteps
2024-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Friday 4/26: Our Food, Farms, and Factories* Fourth Friday topic is: In An Immigrant’s Footsteps. Meet at the main entrance.
*In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-05-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-31 13:00 - 14:00 | 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.

Nice & Easy Walk - Sea Lamprey*
2024-05-24 13:00 - 14:00 | 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. Today’s topic is Sea Lamprey, as part of our Food, Farms, and Factories project.
* Food, Farms, & Factories –
In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Migratory Bird Walk with Mass Wildlife
2024-06-02 07:30 - 10:30 | Leyden Wildlife Management Area, Leyden, Massachusetts, United States
Enjoy a guided bird walk with MassWildlife experts during peak migratory bird nesting season. Birders of all experience are welcome. Participants should be prepared to walk ~2-miles at a comfortable group pace. Bring binoculars and water, dress for the weather, and wear closed-toed shoes good for walking on uneven ground. Hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Forest Alliance. Limited spots available. Registration is required.
Location: Leyden Wildlife Management Area – exact meeting location will be emailed to you prior to the event
Have a question? Email Meghan Crawford at meghan.crawford@mass.gov

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-06-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-06-14 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water.
Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Downtown Foraging Walk*
2024-06-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Explore how people have coevolved with plants. Join herbalist Laura Torraco, owner of Sage Green Botanicals, for a plant walk guided by the senses. Discover plant ID tips, medicinal and material uses, and histories of plants that live around us. Part of our Food, Farms, and Factories series of programs with Exploded View. For ages 12 and up. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the main entrance.
Food, Farms, and Factories
*In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Revealed: The Amazing Story of Armored Mud Balls and Friends Annual Meeting
2024-06-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Jurassic armored mud balls – one of the rarest sedimentary rock structures on the planet! Prof. Richard Little explains how he discovered them, how they formed, and why they’re so rare. Featuring stories of plate tectonics, floods, changing climates, and suspension bridges! Sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. This presentation is preceded by a brief Friends Group annual meeting. Following, take a guided and short 10-minute walk to Unity Park and see the real armored mud balls! Light refreshments provided. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walk - Food, Farms, and Factories Edition: Housing History*
2024-06-22 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Meet at the main entrance. Inclement weather cancels. Discover the housing of mill workers and mill owners during the industrialization of Turners Falls. Meet at the main entrance.
Food, Farms, and Factories
*In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Nice & Easy Walk: Downtown Restaurants - Food, Farms, and Factories Edition *
2024-07-27 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Join us as we highlight local restaurants downtown and explore their connections to local food. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.
* Food, Farms, & Factories: In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.

Nice & Easy Walk: Community Gardens – Food, Farms, and Factories Edition *
2024-08-24 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 highlights along the way. Join us as we explore downtown Turners Falls community gardens with a stop at the Great Falls Farmers Market. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.
* Food, Farms, & Factories: In 2024, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center present programs and exhibits about Food, Farms, and Factories, continuing conversations about rural life in Turners Falls and Franklin County. Supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Montague Public Libraries. Funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories to learn more.
