Reptile Nook: Animal Talk
2025-03-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 5-16, accompanied by an adult. Join us to meet four animals up close and dive into learning about a variety of reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate species. Free. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Haiku Tiny Books *
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Co-sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries, join Denise Fontaine-Pincince in this hands-on workshop to create a ‘Tiny Book’ to showcase a haiku of your choice. Bring up to five of your favorite haikus. Registered participants receive a sample selection of modern-day haiku prior to the workshop to help you choose. All book-making materials are provided for free. View sample ‘tiny books’ on the YouTube video— Haiku Gifts: art with poetry by Denise Fontaine-Pincince. For adults and young adults ages 16 and up. Limited space. Registration is required: call the Carnegie Library at (413) 863-3214. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Frogs
2025-03-28 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.

Nice & Easy Walk
2025-03-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-11 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-18 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-02 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.

Artist reception: Cameron Schmitz: Where We Are, Together *
2025-03-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
View Cameron Schmitz’s exhibit of paintings, enjoy refreshments, and meet the artist. Cameron Schmitz uses color and mark-making as her language of expression. At 4:15 p.m., Cameron speaks briefly about her work, with a Q&A. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries as part of the Big Read. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

A French/Breton Jam Session
2025-03-30 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. 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.

Ongoing: Indoor StoryWalk ® — One Earth
2025-04-03 - 2025-04-30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy the indoor StoryWalk®, One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, which is an open invitation to both celebrate our planet and honor it through stewardship. Count the reasons to love the planet and ways to protect it. For ages 4—8 and anyone who loves the earth, 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: Bird Zines
2025-04-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Make a small booklet all about birds from a single piece of paper then fill it with your bird observations for this drop-in program. You can make your own personal field guide or start your life list. All materials provided. For all ages. Families welcome! Take a moment to enjoy hot chocolate too. Meet in the Great Hall.

Haiku postcards *
2025-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In this hands-on workshop for families, Denise Fontaine-Pincince teaches participants how to create a haiga (art with haiku) postcard. Poems and all materials are provided. Sample ‘haiga postcards’ can be viewed by looking up Haiku Gifts: Art with Poetry by Denise Fontaine-Pincince on YouTube. Ages 8 and up. No pre-registration required. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries as part of NEA Big Read activities. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Artist talk by Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude cover artist Arista Alanis *
2025-04-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Meet Arista Alanis and hear how her painting “on down the road” became the image used for Ross Gay’s Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude book cover and about her creative process. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries NEA Big Read of Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Ongoing: Outdoor StoryWalk® — Spring is Here!
2025-04-10 - 2025-04-30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the Discovery Center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring a children’s picture book. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. Spring is Here! by Heidi Pross Gay is for ages 2—8 and everyone looking for the first signs of spring.
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 - Osprey
2025-04-11 10:30 - 11:30 | 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.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Shenanigans with Friends
2025-04-11 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. Shenanigans with Friends brings an eclectic mix of uplifting songs—folksy, country, bluesy, and rocky. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center. Meet in the Great Hall.

Vernal Pool Variety Hour: Secrets to Frog and Salamander Survival
2025-04-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Why are the still waters and muck of vernal pools the most attractive pieces of real estate for amphibians in the spring? What is a “Big Night”? Join us for this drop-in program exploring the soggy lives of frogs, toads, and salamanders and their dangerous migration journeys. For children ages 7 and up and their families. Includes a game and crafting. Meet in the Great Hall.

A French/Breton Jam Session
2025-04-13 14:30 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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. All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Community Watch Party—A Conversation with Ross Gay *
2025-04-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Monday, April 14, 7—8 p.m.
Join us for a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read keynote event, moderated by Matt Donovan, Director of The Boutelle-Day Poetry Center, Smith College, in conversation with Ross Gay, author of the NEA Big Read book: Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. Watch the conversation unfold on the big screen at in the Great Hall. Hosted by the Springfield Public Forum and co-sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries’ NEA Big Read, The Care Center, and All Hamptons Read. At 8:30 p.m., an after party with music begins at the nearby Rendezvous, 78 Thirds Street, Turners Falls.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Chipmunks
2025-04-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Ongoing: Earth Week Investigation Station and Indoor Storywalk® - One Earth
2025-04-19 - 2025-04-27 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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.

Buildwave: A Hands-on Building Game!
2025-04-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Have fun building, using the materials provided! Call the Carnegie Library 413-863-3214 to register your child. For families with children ages 5 and up, accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Who Lives in a Tree?
2025-04-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Park Serve Day: Give a Day, Make a Difference
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) invites you to the Great Falls Discovery Center to lend a hand during this day of volunteer service to our state parks. Bring your own water and snack. Registration: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-serve-day. For ages 6 and up. Meet at the Main Entrance.

Where We Live: Sense of Place Concert and Writers Showcase with Erica Wheeler *
2025-04-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Singer-songwriter Erica Wheeler performs a concert of place-based songs and invites participants from her NEA Big Read workshop series to share their writings with the audience. The event is free and open to all, refreshments provided. To learn more about taking a workshop visit: https://deerfield-ma.org/nea-big-read-2025-events/. Meet in the Great Hall. Free Copies of Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, will be available!
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

First Friday: Bird Migration Madness
2025-05-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Birds make incredible journeys each year to find their perfect nesting spot in the North. Come play a bird migration game and see if you survive the many perils along the way. We’ve got a bird and habitat matching game too where you can listen to the sounds of birds common to each habitat. Make your own winged creatures with a craft. All materials provided. For all ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Wissatinnewag Walk - Friends of GFDC only
2025-05-03 09:30 - 11:00 | MA
Saturday May 3, 2025
9:30 a.m. (Pre-registration necessary)
On Saturday May 3, the Friends of the Discovery Center will host a guided
visit and hike on Wissatinnewag, the Nolumbeka Project, Inc property in Greenfield.
Special event for Friends members only.
The hike will be guided by Nolumbeka chairman David Brule
and land steward Brent Pitcher.
This walk and talk will cover stories of the land from a spiritual, historical,
ecological, and archaeological perspective.
There will be some moderate hiking on rough terrain, wear appropriate shoes.
Be prepared for ticks!
The walk is limited to 20 members. Please register at this site:
https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/friends-hike-at-wissatinnewag/
Note: You can join or update your membership at the hike OR on Friends website
https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/friends-of-the-gfdc/
Registered members meet at the Discovery Center at 9:30 a.m. to carpool to
the Wissatinnewag site.
Required Liability Waivers will be available on site to sign prior to the walk.
For further info & questions call (413) 774-0204
Rain or shine ~ Heavy rain cancels

Indigo Dyeing & Shibori with Gail Callahan *
2025-05-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Learn about the art of Shibori and experience the magic of indigo dyeing during this hands-on workshop for adults and children, ages six and up accompanied by an adult. This NEA Big Read workshop will celebrate the poem written by Naomi Shihab Nye, “Dear Sky.” Participants each receive a white cotton square to dye, but are also invited to bring one small natural fiber item to dye if there is room in the dyepot, e.g. a cotton t-shirt or camisole. No pre-registration required. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.
* NEA BIG READ
The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
