Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Ongoing - Great Hall Exhibit: A First-Class Machine Shop *
2024-09-29 - 2025-02-22 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Our Great Hall building here at the center was once a machine shop for the Montague Paper Company. This exhibit examines the critical supporting role that metalworking and machining had in launching industrialization in Turners Falls. High quality newsprint and book paper would not have been made here were it not for the knowledge, skills, innovation, and physical labor of metalworkers, machinists, engineers, and master mechanics.
*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.

Ongoing - Deep Roots: A History of Agriculture in the Connecticut River Valley *
2024-11-09 - 2025-11-07 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
As part of our Food, Farms, and Factories programming, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association’s exhibit in our hallway gallery explores the history of agriculture in our fertile floodplain valley–from indigenous land use before English settlement to today’s Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) movement. For youth and adults.
* 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.

Ongoing: StoryWalk® Series * Thanks to the Animals
2024-11-16 - 2025-01-04 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a story, and fresh air! Join us on the center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture books. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route.
November 16—January 4: Thanks to the Animals, by Allen Sockabasin. For young readers ages 6—8 and anyone grateful for wildlife and storytelling.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Ongoing - Great Hall Art Exhibit: Junior Duck Stamps
2024-12-06 - 2025-01-16 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Sharing space with the First-Class Machine Shop exhibit in the Great Hall, see the top Massachusetts youth entries for the 2024 Junior Duck Stamp competition! This state-wide art contest by students grades K-12 heightens awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. While you’re here, make your own duck stamp!

A Ducky First Friday
2024-12-06 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Every First Friday of the Month, Turners Falls businesses and organizations stay open late, so join us for the first day of our Junior Duck Stamp exhibit in the Great Hall and enjoy hot chocolate and refreshments. You can make your own Junior Duck stamp too! All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Make Your Own Junior Duck Stamp!
2024-12-07 - 2024-12-08 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In celebration of our Junior Duck Stamp exhibit in the Great Hall, have some hot chocolate And make your own Junior Duck stamp too! All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Grange Celebration! *
2024-12-07 17:00 - 22:00 | Montague Common Hall, 34 Main Street, Montague, MA, 01351, United States
Meet us at the Montague Common Hall at 34 Main Street in Montague Center for our Food, Farms, and Factories series closing event! Program includes a potluck dinner, a “History of the Grange” talk, and a Contra Dance! Music by All Over the Map. Calling by Steve Howland. Friendly for newcomers, -fun for everyone and all ages. Free.
Schedule of events:
5 p.m. Local Grange history talk by Will Quale, scholar and neighbor
6 p.m.-ish Potluck supper in the newly-dehumidified dining room
7 p.m. Community Contra dance. Beginner-friendly, family-friendly. Shy people welcome too. No special skills or experience needed. Steve Howland, ever-genial caller; Rebecca Weiss, fiddle; Becky Hollingsworth piano; and Friends.

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-12-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-27 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 outside the main entrance.

It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2024-12-13 16:00 - 20:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Craft bird feeders for our winter friends as part of It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls —a town-wide RiverCulture event on December 13. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? Bird feeder making continues Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. For all ages. Free! Meet in the Great Hall.

It’s a Wonderful Day in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2024-12-14 10:00 - 12:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Craft bird feeders for our winter friends as part of It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls —a town-wide RiverCulture event. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? For all ages. Free! Meet in the Great Hall.

A French/Breton Jam Session
2024-12-15 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. 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. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Deer
2024-12-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, 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.

Ongoing - School Vacation Week: Mammal Adaptation Investigation Station
2024-12-21 - 2025-01-01 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Come learn about local mammals and their unique winter adaptations at the Welcome Desk. Every animal has special adaptations that enable them to survive in their winter habitats. Explore through touchable artifacts (pelts, replica skulls, and replica tracks), and habitat diorama scavenger hunts. For ages 4 and up.

Gingerbread Houses
2024-12-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-16, accompanied by an adult. Children and teens are invited to build an easy gingerbread house, using graham crackers and an assortment of candy. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Winter Solstice Walk
2024-12-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Celebrate the change in season. Join us for an easy walk along the Canalside Rail Trail for 3 miles on a level paved surface. For adults and children ages 8 and up. Be prepared for cold weather, dress in layers. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walk begins at the front entrance of the Discovery Center. Inclement weather or icy trail conditions cancels. Meet outside the main entrance. Hot chocolate after the walk in the Great Hall!

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Ducks
2024-12-27 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

First Day Hike
2025-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a leisurely three-mile stroll down the Canalside Rail Trail and get the New Year started off on a Great Falls note! This family-friendly hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover the abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make the Great Falls Discovery Center and Canalside Rail Trail such an amazing State Park! Be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear winter boots. Dogs are welcome on-leash. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. Meet in the Great Hall. Hike begins at 1:15 p.m.

Ongoing: Indoor StoryWalk® — Under the Snow
2025-01-03 - 2025-01-26 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife, in the book, Under the Snow, by Melissa Stewart. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk. At the end of the StoryWalk® enjoy reading more books about snow and winter from our collection. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Nice & Easy Walks
2025-01-03 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.

First Friday: Make Your Own Paper!
2025-01-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Every First Friday of the Month, Turners Falls businesses and organizations stay open late. Join us for a craft night of tin-can papermaking in the Great Hall and see just how creative you have to be to make it in the paper business. Ages 8 and up. Families welcome! Meet in the Great Hall.

Montague Reporter Fundraiser in Honor of Christopher Sawyer-Lauçanno
2025-01-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Celebrate the extraordinary life of Christopher Sawyer-Lauçanno (1951-2024) in the form of a fundraiser for the Montague Reporter. Family, friends, fellow poets, artists, collaborators, community members, and colleagues are welcome and encouraged to share stories, thoughts, and dreams at this event. Christoper fostered and edited the Montague Reporter Poetry Page for many years. Donations to the Montague Reporter are welcomed but not required. Sponsored by family and the Montague Reporter. For all ages. To join the program of speakers please contact: Sarah Pruitt at sarahpruitt58@gmail.com, or Jessica Pruitt at jesprui@gmail.com. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walk
2025-01-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Zine on the River
2025-01-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Make a small booklet, a habitat zine, from a single piece of paper, then fill it with your nature observations for this drop-in program. Cut and draw in it to recreate your favorite river habitats. If you’d like to use paper you made on January 3, for First Friday’s Make Your Own Paper program, bring it! For all ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Rabbits
2025-01-17 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Bluey Party
2025-01-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-10, accompanied by an adult. Join us for crafts and activities related to the popular cartoon character, Bluey! This drop-in style event is sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries and hosted by the Great Falls Discovery Center. Meet in the Great Hall.

The Grand Trunk Hotel
2025-01-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
What was so grand about the Grand Trunk Hotel in Turners Falls? The hotel, once sited next to today’s Center, was built in 1872 and demolished in 1968. Join DCR staff as we use our imaginations, old photographs, and testimonials, to piece together the story of the grand old days in Turners Falls. For youth and adults. Co-sponsored by Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Winter Insects
2025-01-24 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
