Nice and Easy Walk
2026-02-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 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 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 - Winter Insects
2026-02-06 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.

First Friday: Zine on the River
2026-02-06 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Drop in and make a Connecticut River zine! Zines are small booklets usually made from a single piece of paper. Share your message about the Connecticut River or keep it as a unique nature journal. For teens and adults, and children with a solid grasp of scissors. Meet in the Great Hall.

Montague Public Libraries Presents: Valentine Card-Making
2026-02-07 11:00 - 13:00 | MA
Celebrate love by making a card for someone you care about. Children of all ages and their caregivers. Free. Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries.

Winter Local History Series: Quabbin Obscura — The Swift River in Black & White
2026-02-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
From farm to canvas to camera, artist Burt V. Brooks (1849-1934) captured the landscapes and daily life in the “drowned towns” before the Quabbin Reservoir (today managed by DCR) was filled. Join DCR staff as we look back on Brooks’ work for answers about who he was and what life in the Swift River Valley was like around the turn of the century. For adults and youth ages 12 and up. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing - Who Do You Love? Valentines for Wildlife investigation station
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-14 | MA
For all ages, stop by our Welcome Desk to make Valentines to give to the ones you love, keep for yourself, or give to your favorite wildlife biologist — all in honor of your favorite animal.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Porcupines
2026-02-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Ongoing - School Vacation Week Investigation Station: Amphibians and Reptiles in Winter
2026-02-15 - 2026-02-22 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
What are amphibians and reptiles up to during the winter? Join us at our investigation station by the Welcome Desk to find out. Explore through touchable artifacts and habitat diorama scavenger hunts. For ages 4 and up.

Sunday Matinee Documentary Series: How Deep is Your Love? from Sandbox Films.
2026-02-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Our free winter Sunday matinee documentary series from Sandbox Films continues with How Deep is Your Love? Scientists explore the mysterious deep sea to collect and name undiscovered species. As they uncover mesmerizing creatures and ecosystems thriving in darkness, a looming threat emerges: the prospect of deep-sea mining in this untouched wilderness. This film weaves wonder with urgency, challenging us to balance the drive for resources with the intrinsic value of an ecosystem. As we journey through this breathtaking realm, we are left to ponder – how deep is our love? Free hot chocolate. For adults and youth ages 12 and up.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Rabbits
2026-02-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Art Naturally – Watershed Mosaics
2026-02-21 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 programs. With instruction and technique, you create an art piece to take home from tile, pebbles, marbles and glue, inspired by nature in wintertime. For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up (accompanied by an adult). All art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall at 10:30 a.m. for complete instructions.

A French / Breton Jam Session
2026-02-22 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. For all ages

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - When Will It Be Spring?
2026-02-27 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Winter Local History Talk Series: Getting Across – Connecticut River Ferries
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Frogs
2026-03-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

First Friday: Big Night for Beginners
2026-03-06 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 | 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 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 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Winter Local History Talk Series: The Grand Trunk Hotel
2026-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 | 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. 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 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
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 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
