Events

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.

The Great North American Solar Eclipse

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

For this drop-in program, learn about our solar system while viewing the solar eclipse safely! Find out what an eclipse is, make your own sun clock, follow our planetary trail, and while supplies last, get a free pair of safe eclipse viewing glasses. Peak viewing here is at 3:30 p.m. In Massachusetts, we will not […]

Free

Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Skunks

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Free

Nice & Easy Walks

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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. 

Free
Event Series Big Woods Voices

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Big Woods Voices

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Join us for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Enjoy a variety of traditional and poetically inspired acapella originals from the band, Big Woods Voices. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center. Meet in the Great Hall.   Full schedule […]

sliding scale donation

Earth Week Investigation Station and Indoor StoryWalk® – One Earth

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Join us at the welcome desk during school vacation week for activities to inspire taking care of where we live. Enjoy indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities to honor the Earth, our shared home. Includes the indoor StoryWalk® — One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, which is an invitation to both celebrate our planet and […]

Free

Art Naturally Series: Food, Farms, and Factories Edition*

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Discover culture and nature through story, poetry, and art in our series of free Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction, and techniques you create an art piece inspired by natural or cultural history to take home. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All art materials provided. […]

Free

Eastern European Immigration & Industrialization in Massachusetts

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Polish and other Eastern European immigrants arrived in the Connecticut River Valley to begin new lives as small farmers and factory workers. Learn about this migration in a talk by Robert Forrant, Distinguished University Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is co-editor with […]

Free

Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Osprey

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Free

Nice & Easy Walks

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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. 

Free

Eastern European Culture: Family Craft Activities

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Discover how Eastern European immigrant families influenced and enhanced life in the Connecticut River Valley. Join Helena Alves and Patty Solomon, Museum Educators from the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association’s Deerfield Teachers’ Center, for drop-in family craft activities. Explore pysanki egg painting, paper cutting designs and see traditional clothing and costumes that can be fitted for […]

Free

Park Serve Day: Give a Day, Make a Difference

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites you to the Great Falls Discovery Center to lend a hand during this day of volunteer service to our state parks. For any special accommodations or needs you may have for the day, please call (413) 863-3221. Bring your own water and snack. Registration:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-serve-day. For ages 6 […]

Free

A French/Breton Jam Session

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

An informal group of musicians gathers to play the enchanting traditional dance music from France and Brittany, commonly known as bal folk. Please note, 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. For all […]

Free