Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Nice & Easy Walk
2023-10-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-10-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-10-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-09-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-09-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-09-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 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 natural and local history along the way. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy footwear and bring water. Meet outside the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Squirrels
2023-10-20 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 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.

Migration Week: Bird Walks with Zeke - Barton Cove
2023-10-15 06:00 - 17:00 | Barton Cove Day Use Area, Barton Cove Road, Gill, MA, United States
Sign up for a one-hour program at either: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m.
Many birds you see during fall migration are flying south to Panama! Join ornithologist Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá for one or more FREE hour-long birdwatching adventures. These walks introduce you to these fabulous migratory birds along the Connecticut River. Learn about conservation research and actions, and what you can do. For ages 14 and up. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited, register at: 413-863-3221.

Sunday, October 15, Barton Cove— Meet at Barton Cove Camping and Day-Use Area, 82 French King Highway, Gill, about one mile east of the Discovery Center off Route 2. Park at the day-use area parking lot.

7th Annual Migrations Festival
2023-10-14 13:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Saturday, October 14, 1:00—5:00 p.m.
The FREE Migrations Festival celebrates the human and natural diversity of the upper Connecticut River Valley and the Americas. Colorful artworks, from the GuateMaya Art and Culture Connection, in the Migrations exhibit depict scenes integral to village life, Mayan culture, and the history of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Come early for traditional food and then enjoy entertainment by MarkaMusic starting at 2:30 p.m. and Musica Franklin at 4:30 p.m. Activities include a raffle of artworks from Guatemala, an exhibit of Katrina skulls, a children’s book give-away, art activities, and a scavenger hunt. View a Day of the Dead Altar built by local families, with support from Montague Catholic Social Ministries. Activities will be in the Great Hall and in the nearby courtyard. Sponsored by DCR, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Montague Cultural Council, Montague Catholic Social Ministries, RiverCulture, and the GuateMaya Art and Culture Connection.

Migration Week: Bird Walks with Zeke - Migratory Way
2023-10-14 06:00 - 17:00 | Migratory Way at intersection of G and 15th Streets, Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Sign up for a one-hour program at either: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m.
Many birds you see during fall migration are flying south to Panama! Join ornithologist Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá for one or more FREE hour-long birdwatching adventures. These walks introduce you to these fabulous migratory birds along the Connecticut River. Learn about conservation research and actions, and what you can do. For ages 14 and up. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited, register at: 413-863-3221.

Saturday, October 14, Migratory Way— Park in the lot at the intersection of G and 15th Streets in Turners Falls, at the gate to Migratory Way.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: JCA Klezmer Band
2023-10-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Enjoy traditional Eastern European Jewish folk music with the JCA Klezmer Band. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center. Meet in the Great Hall.

Migration Week: Bird Walks with Zeke - Canalside Rail Trail in East Deerfield
2023-10-13 06:00 - 17:00 | Canalside Rail Trail East Deerfield end, McClelland Farm Road - 42.57310199486327, -72.5754147484542, Deerfield, MA, 01342, United States
Sign up for a one-hour program at either: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m.
Many birds you see during fall migration are flying south to Panama! Join ornithologist Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá for one or more FREE hour-long birdwatching adventures. These walks introduce you to these fabulous migratory birds along the Connecticut River. Learn about conservation research and actions, and what you can do. For ages 14 and up. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited, register at: 413-863-3221.

Friday, October 13, Canalside Rail Trail— Meet at the parking lot in East Deerfield off McClelland Farm Road.

Migration Week: Bird Walks with Zeke - Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation
2023-10-12 06:00 - 17:00 | Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation, 300 Sugarloaf Street, Deerfield, MA, 01373, United States
Sign up for a one-hour program at either: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m.
Many birds you see during fall migration are flying south to Panama! Join ornithologist Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá for one or more FREE hour-long birdwatching adventures. These walks introduce you to these fabulous migratory birds along the Connecticut River. Learn about conservation research and actions, and what you can do. For ages 14 and up. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited, register at: 413-863-3221.

Thursday, October 12, Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation— Meet at the top of Mount Sugarloaf in South Deerfield (300 Sugarloaf St.) at the observation tower. Park at the bottom and hike up, or drive to the top and park for free (let DCR staff know you are here for the birding program). The park road opens at 9:00 a.m.

Conservación Panamá: Rural Bird Guide Training
2023-10-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Conservación Panamá, a non-profit organization from Greenfield, has brought a livable wage to the rural poor of Panama. Where ecosystems and their services are lost due to farming methods, Conservación Panamá has a solution. Learn how these accomplishments directly relate to birds in New England and how successful this program has been. Q & A follows a multimedia presentation. Meet in the Great Hall.

Art Naturally Series - Nature Journals
2023-10-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover nature through story, poetry, and art in our series of free Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction, and techniques create an art piece inspired by the natural world to take home. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). Art materials provided.
Nature journals: Creating a visual record of what you experience outdoors
is a wonderful way to connect with nature. Start by making a small journal embellished with an easy printmaking technique. Then see how ornithologist Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá records what he observes in the natural world. If you feel insecure about drawing, Zeke will give you tips for creating a visual memory free of worry over artistic skills.
Do you have a favorite poem, story, or song relating to observations of nature? If so, bring it along—you might want to include it in your journal.
Art techniques: Bookmaking, printmaking, sketching. All materials provided.

StoryWalk®: Honk! Honk!
2023-10-07 - 2023-10-25 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a story, fresh air, and exercise! Join us on the center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book, Honk! Honk! by Mick Manning all about migratory geese, for readers ages 5 and up. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. 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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Raccoons
2023-10-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Great Hall Exhibit: Migrations
2023-10-06 - 2023-11-30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Migrations paintings, curated by GuateMaya Art and Culture Connection, celebrate the human and natural diversity of the upper Connecticut River Valley and the Americas. Colorful works depict scenes integral to village life, Mayan culture, and the history of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

Great Hall Exhibit: Day of the Dead Altar
2023-10-06 - 2023-11-01 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In addition to the Migrations exhibit, from Oct. 6 through Nov. 1, view a Day of the Dead Altar built by local families, with support from Montague Catholic Social Ministries.

The Geology of Gill and Vicinity— The Best Place in the World To Study Geology
2023-10-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Professor Emeritus Richard Little, presents his new 25-minute movie, The Geology of Gill and Vicinity —The Best Place in the World To Study Geology. Dive into the deep history preserved in our local rocks and landscape. Learn about the birth and death of Pangea, local dinosaurs, armored mud balls, Lake Hitchcock, and the mysterious deep holes in the Connecticut’s riverbed. Prof. Little will also bring samples for display and leads a tour of the Center’s Rock Garden. Meet in the Great Hall.

Postponed to Sunday, October 22. At Sword's Point: A History of Trade Unions in the Machine Tool Industry in Franklin County
2023-09-30 14:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Postponed to Sunday, October 22, 2-3:30 p.m. Public historian Tom Goldscheider discusses Franklin County precision steel tool manufacturing, where it was a world leader for generations. Workers organized with a democratic trade union that was targeted in a national political campaign aimed against it. This led to a peaceful confrontation in Greenfield and surrounding towns that surprised onlookers near and far. Meet in the Great Hall.
Oral History project:
Did you or someone you know work in the local machine tool industry? Your stories can help enrich this research. If you are interested in sharing your memories please introduce yourself at the At Sword’s Point event or contact the presenter at tom.goldscheider@gmail.com.
Learn more about the project from Tom here.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour: Raptors
2023-09-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Source To Sea Cleanup: Canalside Rail Trail
2023-09-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Hard work, real fun, true impact: the annual fall trash cleanup of the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Join DCR staff to clean-up the Canalside Rail Trail. To register, visit bit.ly/canalside2023 or contact DCR staff at 413-863-3221 for more information. Meet at the main entrance.

Artist Reception: Intervals
2023-09-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join Karen Axtell for a reception celebrating her work, Intervals, a series of mixed-media prints about time. Meet in the Great Hall.

Adventures in the Microcosmos: Foldscopes
2023-09-17 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Learn how to use an origami microscope! Join ornithologist Ezekiel “Zeke” Jakub, co-founder of the non-profit Conservacion Panama, for “adventures in the microcosmos,” an opportunity to observe tiny parts of our world up close and get an introduction to scientific methods and conservation—all while using a Foldscope. Free. Registration required. Please call 413-863-3221 to sign-up. For children and families ages 9 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.

Art Naturally Series: Fall Felting
2023-09-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover 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 the natural world to take home. Celebrate the arrival of autumn while learning about trees and the impact of climate on their annual show of color. We’ll get creative and make a wet-felted “painting” of fall foliage with wool fleece, yarn, pre-felt, and specialty fibers. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walks
2023-09-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Canal Draw Down History Stroll
2023-09-13 17:00 - 18:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Check out the annual draining of the Turners Falls canal, take a stroll along the Canalside Rail Trail, and absorb local history with Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center staff, historian Ed Gregory, and DCR staff. Meet at the entrance of the Center for this free two mile walk on flat terrain.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Jim Eagan & Anand Nayak
2023-09-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Enjoy a mix of folk and folk blues with ginger-style guitar from Jim Eagan and Anand Nayak. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour: Dragonflies
2023-09-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
