Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Winter Birds
2026-01-09 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.

Second Friday Winter Local History Talk: Keeping It Cool — Ice Harvesting
2026-01-09 16:00 - 17:00
How much is a block of ice worth? It depends on the weather! Learn about the ice harvesting empire that started in Massachusetts. See the tools used by local ice harvesters, making it easier to preserve staples like milk, meat and fish. For ages 10 and up. Downtown Turners Falls’ monthly First Friday event is changing this month only to the second Friday. Meet in the Great Hall.

Local Children’s Author Visit: Prudence Marsh
2026-01-10 11:00 - 12:00
Local author Prudence Marsh reads from her newest children’s book, “A Place for Poe.” The book, part of the “Pippa and Friends” series, follows the adventures of Pippa the squirrel and her forest friends. For children ages 3-10 accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Free. (Snow date: January 24).

Winter Local History Talk: The Strathmore aka Keith Paper Mill
2026-01-10 14:00 - 15:00
The Strathmore (a.k.a. Keith Paper) mill was the phoenix of Connecticut River mills. Few other mills could rally themselves and the town to come back from the brink. Join DCR staff for photos, maps, and stories that showcase the determination, labor, and paper that kept the Strathmore mill in business for 122 years. For ages 10 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.

Sunday Matinee Documentary Series: Nocturnes from Sandbox Films
2026-01-11 14:00 - 15:30
Our free winter Sunday matinee documentary series from Sandbox Films continues with Nocturnes. In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us. In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe. Together, they are on an expedition to decode these nocturnal creatures in a remote ecological “hot spot” on the border of India and Bhutan. The result is a deeply immersive film that transports audiences to a rarely seen place and urges us all to look more closely at the hidden interconnections of the natural world. Sandbox Films is an Oscar-nominated production studio that illuminates the art and beauty of scientific inquiry: humankind’s weird, messy, brilliant way of navigating the world. Free hot chocolate! Meet in the Great Hall. All ages. (Snow date: January 18).

Ongoing - Indoor StoryWalk®- Tracks in the Snow
2026-01-14 - 2026-01-31
Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife in the book Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee. 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.

Nice and Easy Walk
2026-01-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-29 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 - Possums
2026-01-16 10:30 - 11:30

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Groundhogs
2026-01-23 10:30 - 11:30

Artist Reception and Nature Journal Demonstration
2026-01-24 14:00 - 16:00
From forest floor to canopy, Will Close’s exhibition, Home, of original watercolor and mixed media paintings invites viewers to rediscover the beauty and complexity of the natural world that surrounds us. Join Will Close for an artist reception and for a demonstration on nature journaling. Refreshments include hot chocolate and cookies! For all ages.

A French / Breton Jam Session
2026-01-25 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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Owls
2026-01-30 10:30 - 11:30

Great Hall Guest Speaker: The Secret World of Freshwater Mussels
2026-01-31 14:00 - 15:00
The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) – Young Professionals Committee presents a talk by Freshwater Malacologist, Virginia Martell, on the vital roles that freshwater mussels play in our aquatic ecosystems, including water filtration and nutrient cycling. The talk includes discussion of Massachusetts’ populations of mussels that are at risk, the evaluation process for environmental permits, the fundamentals of freshwater mussel biology and ecology and their connection to Massachusetts’ environmental permitting requirements. Virginia Martell specializes in freshwater mussel restoration efforts targeting state and federally endangered species. For free registration visit: maccweb.org or call the center to learn more. For adults and youth 12 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.
