Crossroads Exhibit - Life is______: An exploration of Being Through the Eyes of Local Young People
2023-03-25 - 2023-04-26 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Created and curated by local Brick House youth, this exhibit in the Great Hall, through a variety of mediums, explores their perspectives and experiences living in modern-day rural America. This show is on display through 4-26.
This art show is inspired by Crossroads: Change in Rural America, which is on display February 5 through March 18 in the Great Hall. (over now)
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Mass Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a collaboration between Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media. See the full calendar of events at https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/crossroads

Crossroads Reception- Life is______: An exploration of Being Through the Eyes of Local Young People
2023-03-25 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join Brick House youth for an artist reception! Created and curated by local Brick House youth, this exhibit in the Great Hall, through a variety of mediums, explores their perspectives and experiences living in modern-day rural America. Exhibit on display through 4-26. This art show is inspired by Crossroads: Change in Rural America, which is on display February 5 through March 18 in the Great Hall.
“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Mass Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” is a collaboration between Department of Conservation and Recreation, RiverCulture, Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media. See the full calendar of events at https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/crossroads

All Cooped Up! Music Concert
2023-03-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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. Sliding scale, suggested donations. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice and Easy Walk: Crossroads Edition
2023-03-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights local history, weaving in topics from the Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit, which was in our Great Hall until March 18th. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy boots. Meet at the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Frogs
2023-04-07 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 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.

Nice and Easy Walk
2023-04-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-04-14 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-04-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights natural and local history along the way. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy boots. Meet outside the main entrance.

StoryWalk®—We Planted A Tree
2023-04-14 - 2023-04-30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the grounds of the center for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow, for readers ages 3-7 and everyone who celebrates trees. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. Happy Arbor Day, Friday, April 28th!
*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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Chipmunks
2023-04-14 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Alive & Pickin’
2023-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 | MA
The Coffeehouse is back! Join us in the Great Hall spring, summer, and fall for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Alive & Pickin’ plays an eclectic mix of country, bluegrass, blues, and Americana. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center.

Earth Week Investigation Station: Trees
2023-04-15 - 2023-04-23 | MA
Join us at the welcome desk during school vacation week in activities to inspire taking care of where we live, with a special focus on trees, including scavenger hunts.

Art Naturally
2023-04-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover nature through story, poetry, and art in our series of FREE Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction, and techniques you create an art piece inspired by the natural world to take home. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All materials are free. Meet in the Great Hall. The Art Naturally series continues next month!

Let’s Have a Ball! Join the 1st Jurassic Mud Ball Festival in 200 Million Years
2023-04-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Celebrate mud season with an exploration of rare Jurassic-age rocks found only in Turners Falls- armored mud balls! Family friendly activities for all ages. How were they formed millions of years ago? How were they discovered by geologist Richard Little? Make your own armored mud ball to take home, with help from local geologist Steve Winters and DCR staff. Enjoy a tasty, armored mud ball treat. Meet in the Great Hall. Weather permitting, hunt for Jurassic armored mud balls on an easy walk to nearby Unity Park.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Beavers
2023-04-21 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
2023-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 | MA
The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites you to Great Falls Discovery Center to lend a hand during this day of volunteer service to our state parks. For any special accommodations or needs you may have for the day, please call (413) 863-3221. Bring your own water and snack. Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dcr-park-serve-day-at-great-falls-discovery-center-tickets-588375766757?aff=ebdssbdestsearchEventbrite.com or visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-serve-day to learn more. Meet at Main Entrance.

Arbor Day—Montague Celebrates Trees!
2023-04-28 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Friday, April 28
At 10:30 a.m., our story hour features the book, Who Lives in a Tree?, our ongoing outdoor story walk is We Planted a Tree, our 1 p.m. Nice & Easy Walk features trees, and the Carnegie Library has drop-in Arbor Day scavenger hunts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stay tuned for updates on Montague Tree Committee activities!

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Trees
2023-04-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Nice and Easy Walk - Trees
2023-04-28 13:00 - 14:00 | MA

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Birds
2023-05-05 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Nice and Easy Walks
2023-05-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
An easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all ages. Join others seeking fresh air and exercise. A DCR Park Interpreter highlights natural and local history along the way. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy footwear.

Great Hall Exhibit: Visions of the Connecticut River Valley
2023-05-07 - 2023-06-30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
This group show showcases work from regional artists featuring the nature of the Connecticut River, all in support of the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. See reception and performance details for Sunday May 7 too!
If you want to buy any fill-in so artist might contact you:
(a percent of which will be donated to the Friends)
Click here to select art of interest to tell the artist

Puppet Parade! For Visions of the Connecticut River Valley
2023-05-07 13:30 - 14:00 | MA
1:30 p.m. Puppet parade starts at Peskeompskut Park
2:00—4:00 p.m., Reception in Great Hall
Join musicians, artists, and puppeteers in a celebration of the nature of the Connecticut River watershed. The fun begins at 1:30 p.m. at Peskeompskut Park where MuZen Theater puppeteers start a parade down Avenue A to Great Falls Discovery Center. Then, enjoy the group art show, Visions of the Connecticut River Valley in our Great Hall. The reception starts at 2 p.m. including performances by Stephen Katz, The Panthalasa Trio, and more, with storytelling and poetry interludes. Refreshments available for sliding scale donations —no one turned away. Refreshment and art sale proceeds benefit the artists and the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

Great Hall Reception and Fundraiser: Visions of the Connecticut River Valley
2023-05-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
1:30 p.m. Puppet parade starts at Peskeompskut Park
2:00—4:00 p.m., Reception in Great Hall
Join musicians, artists, and puppeteers in a celebration of the nature of the Connecticut River watershed. The fun begins at 1:30 p.m. at Peskeompskut Park where MuZen Theater puppeteers start a parade down Avenue A to Great Falls Discovery Center. Then, enjoy the group art show, Visions of the Connecticut River Valley in our Great Hall. The reception starts at 2 p.m. including performances by Stephen Katz, The Panthalasa Trio, and more, with storytelling and poetry interludes. Refreshments available for sliding scale donations —no one turned away. Refreshment and art sale proceeds benefit the artists and the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.
If you want to buy any piece, fill-in so artist might contact you
Name *Email AddressPlease enter one or both of email and phone so the artist can contact youPhone NumberMessageIf you remember the artist or art piece, enter here - otherwise we will provide you with a checklist to select from0 / 120Send Message

Story Walk® – Ruby’s Birds
2023-05-11 - 2023-06-27 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book Ruby’s Birds by Mya Thompson, for readers ages 3-7 and everyone who celebrates birds. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. *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.
Ongoing May 11—June 27

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Fish
2023-05-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Eloise & Co.
2023-05-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Friday, May 12, 7:00—9:00 p.m.
Join us spring, summer, and fall for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series featuring local talent. Enjoy Celtic, contra dance, and folk music from Eloise & Co in the Great Hall. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center.
More at: Eloise & Co. to bring eclectic dance style to Coffee House

Art Naturally Series
2023-05-13 10:30 - 12:00 | MA
Discover nature through story, poetry, and art in our series of FREE Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction and techniques you create an art piece inspired by the natural world to take home. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All materials are free. Meet in the Great Hall.
Additional details for May 13:
What do ferns and sea lamprey have in common? They are both living fossils. We’ll honor them by making beautiful gel plate fern prints on opening day of the 2023 Fish Ladder season.
Do you have a favorite poem, story, or song about ferns or other ancient things? If so, please bring it along. We’ll share a few favorites of our own.
Art technique: gel printing with acrylic paints. All materials provided.
