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.

  • UPDATE: First Day Hike is Cancelled. Hot Chocolate Reception is still on!

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

    Update - unfortunately, icy trail conditions prevent us from offering a guided First Day Hike this year. However, we'd love to see you for a hot chocolate reception in the Great Hall from 1 - 3 p.m. instead!  We we will have an activity on mammal winter adaptations and scavenger hunts for our Connecticut River […]

    Free
  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Bear

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

    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. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

    Free
  • Art Naturally: Gel-Printing Snowflakes

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

    Discover nature through story, poetry and art in our series of free art programs. Get inspired by the story of Vermont’s Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley. Build your own blizzard with paper snowflakes through instruction and gel-printing techniques. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up accompanied by an adult. All materials provided. Meet in the […]

    Free
  • Sunday Matinee Documentary Series: Werner Herzog’s Fireball from Sandbox Films

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

    Join us for the start of our free winter Sunday matinee documentary series from Sandbox Films beginning with Werner Herzog’s Fireball. Since before we existed, meteors have haunted our planet. Over billions of years, extraterrestrial bombardments have reshaped the very nature of our planet, causing species to perish or flourish — and perhaps even seeding […]

    Free
  • Nice and Easy Walk

    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 older adults, 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.

    Free
  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Winter Birds

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

    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. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

    Free
  • Second Friday Winter Local History Talk: Keeping It Cool — Ice Harvesting

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

    How much is a block of ice worth? It depends on the weather! Learn about the ice harvesting empire that started in Massachusetts. See the tools used by local ice harvesters, making it easier to preserve staples like milk, meat and fish. For ages 10 and up. Downtown Turners Falls’ monthly First Friday event is […]

    Free
  • Local Children’s Author Visit: Prudence Marsh

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

    Local author Prudence Marsh reads from her newest children’s book, “A Place for Poe.” The book, part of the “Pippa and Friends” series, follows the adventures of Pippa the squirrel and her forest friends. For children ages 3-10 accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Free. (Snow date: January 24).

    Free
  • Winter Local History Talk: The Strathmore aka Keith Paper Mill

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

    The Strathmore (a.k.a. Keith Paper) mill was the phoenix of Connecticut River mills. Few other mills could rally themselves and the town to come back from the brink. Join DCR staff for photos, maps, and stories that showcase the determination, labor, and paper that kept the Strathmore mill in business for 122 years. For ages […]

    Free
  • Sunday Matinee Documentary Series: Nocturnes from Sandbox Films

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

    Our free winter Sunday matinee documentary series from Sandbox Films continues with Nocturnes. In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us. In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe. Together, they are on an expedition to decode these nocturnal creatures in a […]

    Free
  • Nice and Easy Walk

    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 older adults, 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.

    Free
  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Possums

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

    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. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

    Free