Events

The Great Falls Discovery Center hosts community programs and events, rotating art exhibits in our Great Hall and a Coffee House hosted by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

Migration Week: Bird Walks with Zeke – Barton Cove

Barton Cove Day Use Area Barton Cove Road, Gill, MA, United States

Sign up for a one-hour program at either: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. Many birds you see during fall migration are flying south to Panama! Join ornithologist Zeke Jakub of Conservación Panamá for one or more FREE hour-long birdwatching adventures. These […]

Free

Kidleidoscope Story Hour  – Squirrels

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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.

Free

Nice & Easy Walk

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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 and bring water. […]

Free

Falls Fest Update – Indoor activities only

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Update: Outdoor activities for this year's Falls Fest have been postponed to next autumn. However, we'll still have indoor crafting activities at the Discovery Center at the Welcome Desk. Other venues around town may continue with indoor activities too! The Original Plan: This year’s downtown Falls Festival celebrates our neighbors and local businesses with family […]

Free

At Sword’s Point: Oral History project

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Postponed to Sunday, October 22, 2-3:30 p.m. Did you or someone you know work in the local machine tool industry? Your stories can help enrich this research. If you are interested in sharing your memories please introduce yourself at the At Sword’s Point event or contact the presenter at tom.goldscheider@gmail.com. Learn more about the project […]

Free

At Sword’s Point: A History of Trade Unions in the Machine Tool Industry in Franklin County

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Public historian Tom Goldscheider discusses Franklin County precision steel tool manufacturing, where it was a world leader for generations. Workers organized with a democratic trade union that was targeted in a national political campaign aimed against it. This led to a peaceful confrontation in Greenfield and surrounding towns that surprised onlookers near and far. Meet […]

Free

Kidleidoscope Story Hour  – Bats

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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.

Free

Nice & Easy Walk

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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 and bring water. […]

Free

StoryWalk® Series – From Apple Trees to Cider, Please!

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Enjoy a story, and fresh air! Join us on the center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk®  featuring children’s picture books. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. October 28—November 7:  From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Cherneskey. For young readers ages 4—8, and everyone who loves the harvest […]

Free

Art Naturally Series – Natural Inks

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

Discover nature through story, poetry, and art in our series of free Art Naturally programs. Using words and images, instruction, and techniques 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). Art materials provided.

Free

Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Moose

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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.

Free

Nice & Easy Walk

Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 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 highlights along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Meet at the main entrance.

Free