Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Crossroads Kickoff
2023-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls to jump start your Crossroads experience with storytelling, a short local film, and live music. Hear an introduction to the Crossroads exhibit and related programming with Leo Hwang, UMASS Amherst Assistant Academic Dean. Enjoy the documentary short film, “A Sweet Tradition,” by filmmaker Steve Alves, that highlights the local family tradition of making maple syrup. New England Public Media presents storytellers featuring local points of view on contemporary Franklin County life, the most rural mainland in Massachusetts. Refreshments and cash bar starting at 6:00 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. Enjoy musical interludes throughout the evening.
Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Turners Falls, MA at the Great Falls Discovery Center by Mass Humanities. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Crossroads will be on display in the Great Hall in collaboration with the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the town of Montague’s RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

Nice & Easy Walk: Crossroads Edition
2023-02-10 13:00 - 14:00 | MA
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy boots. Meet at the main entrance to the center.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” will be on view at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls from February 5 to March 18, 2023. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Mass Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a collaboration between Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media. See the full calendar of events at https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/crossroads

Crossroads Exhibit Ribbon Cutting
2023-02-05 11:00 - 13:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Come be the first to see the Smithsonian Exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, in Turners Falls! Get the scoop on how rural America has changed since 1900. The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center board members, expert hosts of the monthly Great Falls Coffeehouse series, provide coffee and refreshments for this big day.
Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Turners Falls, MA at the Great Falls Discovery Center by Mass Humanities. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Crossroads will be on display in the Great Hall in collaboration with the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the town of Montague’s RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

Crossroads: Whose Viewpoint? Exhibition of Historic Franklin County Images
2023-02-05 - 2023-03-18 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In the Great Falls Discovery Center’s Hallway Gallery, near the dioramas, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA) presents reproductions of historic maps, illustrations, photographs, and paintings exploring perspectives of the image makers. How are our rural places represented in the media? Maps, illustrations, photographs, and paintings were the media of the past. Like today, the makers of these images and documents had viewpoints—both visual and attitudinal—that carried influence. Whose perspectives are we seeing? Whose viewpoints are missing?

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” will be on view during open hours at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls from February 5 to March 18, 2023. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Mass Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. Open hours in February and March are: Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a collaboration between Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media. See the full calendar of events at https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/crossroads

Crossroads Exhibit: Montague At Work and Play
2023-02-05 - 2023-03-18 | Rendezvous, 78 3rd Street, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Exhibition of Illustrations by Nina Rossi. This exhibition of digital illustrations was originally published in the Montague Reporter between 2019 and 2022. Created by local artist and Turners Falls resident Nina Rossi, the illustrations depict scenes of local daily life. Reception Sunday, February 19 at 4pm.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” will be on view at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls from February 5 to March 18, 2023. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Mass Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a collaboration between the Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

Crossroads Exhibit: Changing Storefronts in Turners Falls
2023-02-05 - 2023-03-18 | Downtown Turners Falls, Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
See the village’s ever changing downtown through reproduced images courtesy of the Montague Historical Society Archive. This self-guided storefront exhibition is an open invitation to think about local, regional and national changes in “doing business” in rural America. At participating restaurant and retail stores in downtown Turners Falls including: LOOT, Breakdown Records, The Shea Theater, The Rendezvous, Responsive Classrooms, Buckingham Rabbits Vintage, The Five Eyed Fox, LOOT, Swanson’s Fabrics, Turners Falls Pizza, Great Falls Harvest, Upper Bend, and Rist Insurance.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” will be on view at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls from February 5 to March 18, 2023. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Mass Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a collaboration between Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

Smithsonian Exhibit - Crossroads: Change in Rural America
2023-02-05 - 2023-03-18 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In 1900, about 40% of Americans lived in rural areas. By 2010, less than 18% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. Massive economic and social changes led to massive growth of America’s cities. Through a partnership with the world’s largest museum complex, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center proudly hosts “Crossroads: Changes in Rural America,” a traveling exhibit produced by the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program in partnership with Mass Humanities. The exhibition offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. Includes local exhibits on Franklin County, the most rural mainland county in Massachusetts – with Crossroads related programming venues throughout the county. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
Crossroads will be on display in the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center during open hours Feb. 5 – March 18, in collaboration with the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the town of Montague’s RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media. Open hours in February and March are: Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Turners Falls, MA at the Great Falls Discovery Center by Mass Humanities. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Nice & Easy Walk: Crossroads Edition
2023-02-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Crossroads Artist Reception: Joe Parzych
2023-01-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Meet Joe Parzych and enjoy light refreshments. His exhibit, Photo Beat, Past and Present— Moving Forward in Time, Capturing of the Moment, captures changes in local rural life, helping us celebrate the upcoming Smithsonian Exhibit too – Crossroads: Change in Rural America.
Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Turners Falls, MA at the Great Falls Discovery Center by Mass Humanities. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Crossroads will be on display in the Great Hall February 5 – March 18 in collaboration with the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the town of Montague’s RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

Nice and Easy Walk
2023-01-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-01-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-01-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-01-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history and natural scenes along the way. Be prepared for the weather. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy boots. Bring water. FREE. In case of inclement weather, come on inside for the interpretive topic of the day.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Groundhogs
2023-01-27 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 who share our home. Program includes a story, activities, and a craft. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Who's Been Here? A Tracking Adventure
2023-01-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Let’s go outside and see who’s been here in the snow. Investigate the mysterious signs that wildlife leave behind. Program includes an indoor story, scavenger hunts, and crafts. Bundle up! For ages 3 – 8 with a parent or guardian. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet inside the main entrance.

Snowy Indoor StoryWalks® - Tracks in the Snow
2023-01-21 - 2023-01-29 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
1/21—1/29: Tracks in the Snow, by Wong Herbert Yee
Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk.
*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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Rabbits
2023-01-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Keeping It Cool: Ice Harvesting
2023-01-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Ever wonder what people used before refrigerators? Ice boxes! Let’s learn about ice harvesting on the Connecticut River which provided ice for food storage and winter jobs. See tools used in ice harvesting and what it took to be an ice harvester. Image courtesy of Montague Historical Society.

Snowy Indoor StoryWalks®- Rabbit's Snow Dance
2023-01-14 - 2023-01-20 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Rabbit’s Snow Dance, by James and Joseph Bruchac. Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk.
*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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Insects
2023-01-13 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Connecticut River Log Drives
2023-01-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Between 1870 and 1915, millions of logs were driven down the Connecticut River from the North Woods to Holyoke. Let’s explore the log drives and the brazen men who made it happen.

Snowy Indoor StoryWalks® - Under the Snow
2023-01-06 - 2023-01-13 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Under the Snow, by Melissa Stewart. Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk.
*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.

Great Hall Art Exhibit - Photo Beat, Past and Present: Moving Forward in Time, Capturing of the Moment
2023-01-03 - 2023-01-29 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For the past 24 years, Joe R. Parzych has been a freelance photojournalist for local newspapers, national magazines, and trade journals. Joe’s unique photographic storytelling provides an Autistic perspective to everyday objects that people overlook. Joe started as an apprentice to his grandfather, Joseph A. Parzych of Gill, MA, and Joe’s passion for local history and community has fueled his work in journalism since the days of dark-room film photography. Joe currently resides in Greenfield, MA, and you can see his work in local papers such as The Montague Reporter or the Country Folks, a national trade farming magazine. This exhibit begins our series of programming and exhibits related to the Smithsonian’s exhibit – Crossroads: Change in Rural America.
Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Turners Falls, MA at the Great Falls Discovery Center by Mass Humanities. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Crossroads will be on display in the Great Hall in collaboration with the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, Department of Conservation and Recreation, the town of Montague’s RiverCulture, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

First Day Hike
2023-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | MA
Get the New Year started off on the right foot! Enjoy a leisurely staff-guided three-mile stroll on the Canalside Rail Trail. This family-friendly hike follows a gentle, level route. Discover the abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make the Discovery Center and rail trail such an amazing state park! Be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear comfortable winter walking boots. Dogs are welcome on leash. Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. Hike begins at 1:15 p.m.

Nice and Easy Walk
2022-12-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-12-23 13:00 - 14:00 | MA
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or the Turners Falls National Historic District, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join with others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history and natural scenes along the way. Be prepared for the weather. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy boots. Bring water. FREE. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at Discovery Center entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Raccoon
2022-12-30 10:30 - 11:30 | MA
For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and a craft. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Deer
2022-12-23 10:30 - 11:30 | MA

School Vacation Week: Mammal Adaptations Investigation Station
2022-12-23 - 2023-01-01 | MA
During Discovery Center open hours come learn about local mammals and their unique winter adaptations. Every animal has special adaptations that enable them to survive in their winter habitats. Explore through touchable artifacts (pelts, replica skulls, and replica tracks), habitat diorama scavenger hunts, and a Bingo game at the Welcome Desk.

Winter Solstice Walk
2022-12-21 15:00 - 16:30 | MA
Celebration the change in season. Join us for an easy walk along the Canalside Rail Trail. The walk is about 3 miles-long, 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.
