Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

First Friday: Make Your Own Paper!
2025-01-03 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Every First Friday of the Month, Turners Falls businesses and organizations stay open late. Join us for a craft night of tin-can papermaking in the Great Hall and see just how creative you have to be to make it in the paper business. Ages 8 and up. Families welcome! Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walks
2025-01-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

Ongoing: Indoor StoryWalk® — Under the Snow
2025-01-03 - 2025-01-26 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife, in the book, Under the Snow, by Melissa Stewart. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk. At the end of the StoryWalk® enjoy reading more books about snow and winter from our collection. 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 Day Hike
2025-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a leisurely three-mile stroll down the Canalside Rail Trail and get the New Year started off on a Great Falls note! This family-friendly hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover the abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make the Great Falls Discovery Center and Canalside Rail Trail such an amazing State Park! Be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear winter boots. Dogs are welcome on-leash. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. Meet in the Great Hall. Hike begins at 1:15 p.m.

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-12-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet outside the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Ducks
2024-12-27 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 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.

Winter Solstice Walk
2024-12-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Celebrate the change in season. Join us for an easy walk along the Canalside Rail Trail for 3 miles 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 outside the main entrance. Hot chocolate after the walk in the Great Hall!

Gingerbread Houses
2024-12-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-16, accompanied by an adult. Children and teens are invited to build an easy gingerbread house, using graham crackers and an assortment of candy. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing - School Vacation Week: Mammal Adaptation Investigation Station
2024-12-21 - 2025-01-01 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Come learn about local mammals and their unique winter adaptations at the Welcome Desk. Every animal has special adaptations that enable them to survive in their winter habitats. Explore through touchable artifacts (pelts, replica skulls, and replica tracks), and habitat diorama scavenger hunts. For ages 4 and up.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Deer
2024-12-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

A French/Breton Jam Session
2024-12-15 14:30 - 16:30, 2024-11-17 14:30 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
All ages. An informal group of musicians gathers 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. Meet in the Great Hall.

It’s a Wonderful Day in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2024-12-14 10:00 - 12:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Craft bird feeders for our winter friends as part of It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls —a town-wide RiverCulture event. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? For all ages. Free! Meet in the Great Hall.

It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2024-12-13 16:00 - 20:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 13. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? Bird feeder making continues Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. For all ages. Free! Meet in the Great Hall.

Grange Celebration! *
2024-12-07 17:00 - 22:00 | Montague Common Hall, 34 Main Street, Montague, MA, 01351, United States
Meet us at the Montague Common Hall at 34 Main Street in Montague Center for our Food, Farms, and Factories series closing event! Program includes a potluck dinner, a “History of the Grange” talk, and a Contra Dance! Music by All Over the Map. Calling by Steve Howland. Friendly for newcomers, -fun for everyone and all ages. Free.
Schedule of events:
5 p.m. Local Grange history talk by Will Quale, scholar and neighbor
6 p.m.-ish Potluck supper in the newly-dehumidified dining room
7 p.m. Community Contra dance. Beginner-friendly, family-friendly. Shy people welcome too. No special skills or experience needed. Steve Howland, ever-genial caller; Rebecca Weiss, fiddle; Becky Hollingsworth piano; and Friends.

Make Your Own Junior Duck Stamp!
2024-12-07 - 2024-12-08 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In celebration of our Junior Duck Stamp exhibit in the Great Hall, have some hot chocolate And make your own Junior Duck stamp too! All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

A Ducky First Friday
2024-12-06 16:00 - 18:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Every First Friday of the Month, Turners Falls businesses and organizations stay open late, so join us for the first day of our Junior Duck Stamp exhibit in the Great Hall and enjoy hot chocolate and refreshments. You can make your own Junior Duck stamp too! All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing - Great Hall Art Exhibit: Junior Duck Stamps
2024-12-06 - 2025-01-16 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Sharing space with the First-Class Machine Shop exhibit in the Great Hall, see the top Massachusetts youth entries for the 2024 Junior Duck Stamp competition! This state-wide art contest by students grades K-12 heightens awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. While you’re here, make your own duck stamp!

Go Green on Black Friday Walk (and Nice & Easy Walk)
2024-11-29 13:00 - 14:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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.

Nice & Easy Walk (and Go Green on Black Friday Walk)
2024-11-29 13:00 - 14:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. The 11/29 Nice & Easy Walk coincides with our Go Green on Black Friday Walk, which ends at 2:30 p.m. Meet at the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Thanks to the Animals
2024-11-29 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Make A Fairy House
2024-11-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-16, accompanied by an adult. Children and teens are invited to build a fairy house using natural and recycled materials. Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-11-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Moose
2024-11-22 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

DCR Announces New Indigenous Peoples Partnership Coordinator – Meet and Greet: Leah Hopkins
2024-11-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Please welcome Leah Hopkins to DCR, serving as the newly-created Indigenous People’s Partnership Coordinator. An enrolled member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, she brings two decades of experience building bridges between institutions & Tribal Nations. bit.ly/3URCx…
Join DCR as we welcome Leah Hopkins as she relates her experience as a subsistence practitioner and cultural worker grounded in the tradition of her ancestors, and opens the floor for a discussion about Indigenous connections to the land and her role at DCR.

The Nolumbeka Project Presents: Full Beaver Moon Gathering *
2024-11-16 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
The Nolumbeka Project presents the annual Full Beaver Moon Gathering with guest speaker Angela Marcellino, author of The True Natives of Cape Cod Massachusetts and their Food Ways. Raffle drawing. Free admission and all ages are welcome. For more information about the event visit nolumbekaproject.org. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing: StoryWalk® Series * Thanks to the Animals
2024-11-16 - 2025-01-04 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 16—January 4: 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.

Climate Stories Music: Performance and Presentation *
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Find inspiration to address the climate crisis through the power of creativity and storytelling. Musician and director of Climate Stories Project, Jason Davis, discusses his work with climate narrative music, featuring recorded voices of people around the world speaking about their personal responses to the climate crisis. Jason also performs solo double bass musical pieces, which includes excerpts from recorded climate stories.
Climate Stories Project is an educational and artistic forum that shares personal stories about climate change. Learn how a local farm has been impacted by climate change. Refreshments included! Meet in the Great Hall. For ages teen to adult. ADA/Reasonable Accommodation: Call: 617-645-0358. Email: Moneesha.dasgupta2@mass.gov.
* This Food, Farms, and Factories event is supported by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, RiverCulture, Montague Public Libraries, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, and funded by Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/foodfarmsandfactories.
