Kidleidoscope Story Hour - When Will It Be Spring?
2026-02-27 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, 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.

Winter Local History Talk Series: Getting Across – Connecticut River Ferries
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:00
Before bridges spanned the Connecticut River, travelers relied on flatbottomed ferries to cross. How connected were towns on the east and west banks? Join DCR staff for maps, photos and firsthand accounts of an all-but-gone mode of travel. Ages 10 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing - Indoor StoryWalk® - 999 Tadpoles
2026-03-01 - 2026-03-14
Explore the lives of our favorite mud season amphibians. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk.

Ongoing, March 1 – 14: 999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura. Never underestimate the quick wits of 999 young frogs!

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 and Easy Walk
2026-03-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-26 13:00 - 14:00
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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Frogs
2026-03-06 10:30 - 11:30

First Friday: Big Night for Beginners
2026-03-06 15:00 - 17:00
On a mild, rainy night in early spring, thousands of frogs, toads, and salamanders move across Massachusetts to reach their vernal pools and start the next generation of amphibians. But the journey across roads and lawns can be deadly. Join us for a brief presentation, or come later for games, crafting, and conversations about how to help a local Big Night brigade! Meet in the Great Hall.

Art Naturally – Paper Quilting Migrations
2026-03-07 10:30 - 12:00
Discover nature through story, poetry and art in our series of free art programs. With instruction and technique, you create an art piece to take home from fabric, paper, needle and thread, inspired by the spring bird migrations. Or, keep it simple with quilting using paper only. For adults, teens and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult and adept with a needle). All art materials provided but feel welcome to use your own. Meet in the Great Hall at 10:30 a.m. for complete instructions.

Artist Reception: Maps of River History by Joe Kopera
2026-03-07 14:00 - 16:00
Come see the secret histories of your favorite rivers and meet the artist who made them: geologist and cartographer Joe Kopera! View Joe’s exhibit Maps of River History and learn to see the land and our rivers like a geologist. Light refreshments.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Salamanders
2026-03-13 10:30 - 11:30

Winter Local History Talk Series: The Grand Trunk Hotel
2026-03-14 14:00 - 15:00
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.

All Cooped Up! A Musical Performance
2026-03-14 19:00 - 21:00
The Franklin County Musicians Cooperative (COOP) features solo artists, established duos, and small group performers who perform an unpredictable mix of folk, rock, country, Celtic, jazz and swing. Suggested donations. For all ages. Meet in the Great Hall. Sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and COOP. Sliding scale suggested donations.

Ongoing - Indoor StoryWalks® - The Salamander Room
2026-03-15 - 2026-03-31
Explore the lives of our favorite mud season amphibians. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk.

Ongoing, March 15 – 31: The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer. A boy finds a salamander in the woods and imagines the many things he can do to turn his room into a perfect salamander home.

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 - Beavers
2026-03-20 08:00 - 17:00

A French / Breton Jam Session
2026-03-22 14:30 - 16:30
An informal group of musicians gathers to play the enchanting traditional dance music from France and Brittany, commonly known as bal folk. 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. For all ages

Postponed to a later date: Montague Public Libraries Presents: Favorite Storybook Character Day
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00
Our apologies. This event is postponed to a later date.

Whether you want to channel your inner hero, K-pop singer, or a beloved blue heeler pup, we can’t wait to see your favorite stories come to life. Take home themed art inspired by classic and contemporary storybook characters. Costumes are highly encouraged but not required. This is a fun, family-friendly event perfect for book lovers of all ages! Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries.

Ongoing - Great Hall Art Exhibit: All Our Relations – To Honor the Wampanoag Supreme Sachem Pometacomet on the 350th Anniversary of the Great Falls Massacre
2026-04-02 - 2026-05-28
This exhibit in the Great Hall, features work by Deborah Spears Moorehead, Seaconke Pokanoket Wampanoag, and Robert Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag, focusing on pre-colonization, the 350th Anniversary of Metacomet’s (King Philip’s) War and the Great Falls Massacre of 1676. Learn about Indigenous history and their continued presence here and throughout the Northeast. Sponsored by Friends of the Center, the Nolumbeka Project, and funded by the Montague Cultural Council. a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council. For all ages. Accessible during open hours.

Nice and Easy Walk
2026-04-02 13:00 - 14:00
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 some 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. Note: there is no walk on April

Ongoing - Indoor StoryWalk® — One Earth
2026-04-03 - 2026-04-30
Enjoy the indoor StoryWalk®, One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, an invitation to celebrate our planet and honor it through stewardship. For ages 4 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.

First Friday Flight Path Program: Nesting Birds Investigation Station *
2026-04-03 15:00 - 17:30
Come learn about nests, eggs, and feathers at our nesting birds investigation station. Meet at the welcome desk to see a wide range of egg replicas from a hummingbird to a bald eagle, and more! Co-sponsored by Montague Public Libraries as part of Flight Path bird programming all month long. For all ages.
* Special “Flight Path” Programs
Look for the asterisk! Those bird programs are a special collaboration with the Great Falls Discovery Center, thanks to a Flight Path Grant from Star Net Libraries. For more information visit www.starnetlibraries.org.

Nice and Easy Walk
2026-04-09 13:00 - 14:00
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 some 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. Note: there is no walk on April 16.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Chipmunks
2026-04-10 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.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: The Uncles with special guest Eveline MacDougall
2026-04-10 19:00 - 21:00
Join us for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. The Uncles with special guest Eveline MacDougall perform a delightful mix of Folk, Rock, Country, and Jazz with several stringed instruments and four voices. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, in support of educational programming at the Center. Meet in the Great Hall. For all ages.

National Poetry Month Author Reading Featuring Bob McNeil
2026-04-11 15:00 - 16:00
Join us in celebration of National Poetry Month with Bob McNeil, writer, editor, cartoonist, and spoken-word artist, who recites with special guest musician Steve Koziol. In Bob’s single author anthology Compositions on Compassion and Other Emotions, he explores the importance of love and hope in healing from the pandemic and endemic violence. Proceeds from this work fund the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Steve Koziol, best known for playing in the bands Dingo Roi and Span of Sunshine, is a songwriter and musician, who has contributed guitar, keyboard, bass, alto sax, and vocal harmonies to many bands and performers throughout Hampshire and Franklin Counties. From youth to adults, all are welcome at this event, sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and RiverCulture.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Osprey *
2026-04-17 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.
* Special “Flight Path” Programs
Look for the asterisk! Those bird programs are a special collaboration with the Great Falls Discovery Center, thanks to a Flight Path Grant from Star Net Libraries. For more information visit www.starnetlibraries.org.

Ongoing: Earth Week Investigation Station and Indoor StoryWalk® — One Earth
2026-04-18 - 2026-04-26
Join us at the welcome desk during school vacation week for activities to inspire taking care of where we live. Enjoy indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities to honor the Earth, our shared home. Includes the indoor StoryWalk® — One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, which is an invitation to both celebrate our planet and honor it through stewardship. For all ages.

Ongoing - Outdoor Story Walk®— Ruby’s Birds *
2026-04-18 - 2026-05-12
Ongoing, April 18 – May 12
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the Discovery Center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring Ruby’s Birds. For ages 3 and up and anyone who loves migratory birds! Co-sponsored by Montague Public Libraries as part of Flight Path bird programming all month long.
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.
* Special “Flight Path” Programs
Look for the asterisk! Those bird programs are a special collaboration with the Great Falls Discovery Center, thanks to a Flight Path Grant from Star Net Libraries. For more information visit www.starnetlibraries.org.

Flight Path Program: Bird Scavenger Hunt *
2026-04-18 10:30 - 11:30
Let’s go find birds! Learn about common local bird species and join us on a quest to find birds both inside our habitat dioramas and outside on the Center’s grounds and along the Canalside Rail Trail. We’ll practice using binoculars, being quiet, and read the story Ruby’s Birds together. Wear clothing for mud season – sturdy shoes and layers. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 4–9 and their families. Co-sponsored by Montague Public Libraries as part of Flight Path bird programming all month long.
* Special “Flight Path” Programs
Look for the asterisk! Those bird programs are a special collaboration with the Great Falls Discovery Center, thanks to a Flight Path Grant from Star Net Libraries. For more information visit www.starnetlibraries.org.
