Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

“Let’s Play Library” Bluey Party
2024-01-13 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us for crafts and activities related to the popular character, Bluey! Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries. Ages 3-10+. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice and Easy Walk
2024-01-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-22 13:00 - 14:00
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 winter weather, sturdy footwear, and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Insects
2024-01-12 10:30 - 11:30
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.

Snowy Indoor StoryWalks®* - Under the Snow
2024-01-06 - 2024-01-25
January 6—25: 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 the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

First Day Hike
2024-01-01 13:00 - 15:00
For ages 8 and up. Start the New Year off on the right foot! A leisurely guided 3-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 an amazing state park! Dress appropriately for winter weather. Wear comfortable winter walking boots. Dogs welcome on leash. Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. Hike begins at 1:15 p.m.

Nice and Easy Walks
2023-12-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-12-08 13:00 - 14:00
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. Enjoy natural and local history highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Meet at the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Ducks
2023-12-29 10:30 - 11:30
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 crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

School Vacation Week: Mammal Adaptations Investigation Station
2023-12-23 - 2024-01-01
During 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. For ages 4 and up.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Deer
2023-12-22 10:30 - 11:30

Winter Solstice Walk
2023-12-21 15:00 - 16:30
Celebrate 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. Meet at the Main Entrance.

A French/Breton Jam Session
2023-12-17 14:30 - 16:30
An informal group of musicians will gather 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.

Family Dance Party with Awesome Art in Motion
2023-12-16 15:00 - 17:00
Family Dance Party with Awesome Art in Motion
Enjoy a youth dance performance from Awesome Art in Motion, with Great Falls Creative Movement. Meet in the Great Hall.

Gingerbread Houses
2023-12-16 11:00 - 12:30
Montague Public Libraries presents Gingerbread Houses! Decorate a deliciously festive house using frosting, graham crackers, and various candies. Designed for children and their caregivers. Free! For more information, call 413-863-3214. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Chipmunks
2023-12-15 10:30 - 11:30

Orienteering with Zeke
2023-12-13 12:00 - 16:00
Join Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá to learn how to use a map and compass together to stay safe in the woods! Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries. Dress for the weather. Meet outside the main entrance. Rain date: 12/16. For ages 8 and up. Meet at the main entrance.

It’s A Wonderful Afternoon in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2023-12-09 10:30 - 13:30
Meet in the Great Hall. Craft bird feeders for our winter friends. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? For all ages. Free!

It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2023-12-08 15:00 - 20:00
Meet in the Great Hall. 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 8. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? Bird feeder making continues on Saturday, 10:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. For all ages. Free!

Great Hall Exhibit: Junior Duck Stamps
2023-12-06 - 2024-01-16
See the top Massachusetts youth entries for the 2023 Junior Duck Stamp competition! This state-wide art contest by students from Kindergarten to High School heightens awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. While you’re here, visit our duck investigation station in the Great Hall. Make your own duck stamp!

Go Green on Black Friday Walk (and Nice & Easy Walk)
2023-11-24 13:00 - 14:30
Forget shopping—let’s connect with nature and local history! Join us for a leisurely walk along the Canalside Rail Trail. The walk is about 3 miles-long, on a level paved surface. Makes for an easy stroll 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 to the Great Falls Discovery Center. Inclement weather or icy trail conditions cancels. Meet at the main entrance. This the same time as our regular weekly Friday Nice & Easy Walk, so we’ll do it all at once!

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Bears
2023-11-24 10:30 - 11:30
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.

The Nolumbeka Project Presents: Full Beaver Moon Gathering
2023-11-18 13:00 - 15:00
The Nolumbeka Project presents the annual Full Beaver Moon Gathering. Enjoy a presentation by Christine DeLucia, author of Memory Lands. Free admission and all are welcome. For more information about the event visit nolumbekaproject.org. Meet in the Great Hall.

StoryWalk® Series - Thanks to the Animals
2023-11-11 - 2024-01-01
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 11—January 1: 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.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Ragged Blue
2023-11-10 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Enjoy traditional bluegrass-based music with a touch of Celtic, swing, and country with Ragged Blue. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center. Meet in the Great Hall.

Traditional Chinese Papercutting - Teens and Adults
2023-11-04 13:00 - 14:30
Winter is coming! Squirrels and chipmunks are busy collecting acorns and hiding them. What birds migrate or stay? How do fish survive the winter? The Montague Public Libraries invite you to try Chinese papercutting with Zhonghe (Elena) Li. Learn the history of the art and basic techniques. Choose your favorite template, from the many animals that live in and along the Connecticut River, to make your own artwork. Elena is a Cambridge multi-media artist who specializes in traditional Chinese papercutting art and watercolors. She uses art to speak for the beauty of biodiversity and honors living in harmony with nature as one. Meet in the Great Hall.
10:30—11:30 a.m. Children ages 5-12 & families;
1:00—2:30 p.m. Teens & adults

Traditional Chinese Papercutting - Children ages 5-12 and Families
2023-11-04 10:30 - 11:30
