Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Day of Remembrance
2023-05-20 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Commemorate the 347th Anniversary of the Great Falls Massacre, outdoors weather permitting, or in the Great Hall. Tribal members and non-Tribal public are welcome. Honored guests include members of the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians Council and the Elnu Abenaki. For more information visit: www.nolumbekaproject.org. Free and open to all. Co-sponsored by the Nolumbeka Project, River Valley Co-op, and DCR. Light refreshments available, including cookies donated by Stone Soup Cafe.

Nice and Easy Walks
2023-05-26 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.

Nice & Easy Walk: Weekend Edition
2023-05-28 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. Get some 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 at the Main Entrance.

Nice and Easy Walk
2023-06-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-09 13:00, 2023-06-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-06-28 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 and bring water. We’re changing up the timing of our Nice & Easy Walks to the mornings to beat the summer heat. Meet outside the main entrance.

16th Annual Free Family Fishing Day
2023-06-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Our annual Family Fishing Day, at Barton Cove, with additional activities at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Join us for a day of FREE fishing fun. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event is held rain or shine. Parking is free.
At Barton Cove Campground: Barton Cove Road in Gill

Free fishing from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fishing equipment provided – limited supplies. Bring your own pole if you have it.
No fishing license needed.

At Great Falls Discovery Center: 2 Avenue A

Fly lure tying demonstrations.
Come see a fish from the USGS Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab
CATCH THE FISH BUS HERE! Free shuttle bus to and from Barton Cove as needed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At Turners Falls Fishway: 15 First Street

Fish printing – The art of Gyotaku, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm.

Great Falls Coffeehouse Presents: Farley String Band
2023-06-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us spring, summer, and fall for the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s concert series in the Great Hall featuring local talent. Enjoy traditional folk music, “old time” and Celtic fiddle tunes from the Farley String Band. Refreshments available. Sliding scale suggested donations, all in support of educational programming at the Center.

Nice and Easy Walk: Weekend Edition
2023-06-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

* Postponed - Raised Beds for Growing Vegetables
2023-06-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Our apologies, but this program is going to be rescheduled for a later date.
In partnership with Montague Public Libraries, Franklin County Master Gardeners presents a workshop on raised beds for growing your veggies.

Art Naturally Series
2023-06-17 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Saturday, June 17, 10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
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:
Indigo is one of the oldest and most important of all natural dye-stuffs. Join us and guest artist Gail Callahan to experience the magic of indigo dyeing!
Do you have a favorite poem, story, or song about the color blue? If so, please bring it along. We’ll share a few favorites of our own.
Art technique: indigo dyeing.
All materials provided, but you can also bring a t-shirt, pillowcase or other small piece of fabric to add to the dyepot.

Fields & Forests—What do bees need?
2023-06-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Help us kick-off Pollinator Week! Make your own native bee habitat by “painting” with yarn, fleece, pre-felt shapes, and soapy water. Will your bees live in a tree trunk or holes in the ground? Will they build their nests with mud or leaves? Learn how important our native bees are and what they need to thrive. For ages 4 and up, including teens and adults. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Designed especially for families (including dads), but all are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour: Turtles
2023-06-30 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.

StoryWalk®—Mole Music
2023-07-01 - 2023-08-08 | 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 Mole Music by David McPhail, for readers ages 4-7 and everyone who dreams of being a musician and changing the world. 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. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalkv® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

ACF Music walk: Musical Fun for Kids & Sidewalk Costume Parade
2023-07-01 14:00 - 16:00 | MA
Start the Antenna Cloud Farm Music Walk Festival at Unity Park at 2 p.m. with live music and family-friendly art-making, and then join in the parade at 2:45 p.m. Stroll along with musicians and DCR park staff for a children’s sidewalk costume parade along 2nd Street to the Great Falls Discovery Center. Make music while you walk! Instruments provided. Then, at 3 p.m. enjoy indoor music in the Great Hall with Saxophonist Travis Laplante, and enjoy our StoryWalk® Mole Music by David McPhail.

Antenna Cloud Farm Music Walk
2023-07-01 14:00 - 20:00 | MA
The Antenna Cloud Farm Music Walk is a village-wide festival showcasing an array of innovative and virtuosic local artists, celebrating local businesses and public spaces throughout the day. Performances take place at parks all over town. Join DCR staff at 2:00 p.m. at Unity Park for live music, family-friendly activities, and a kids’ costume parade making its way to including the Great Falls Discovery Center. At 3:00 p.m., Travis Laplante plays hypnotic and innovative solo saxophone music outside Great Falls Discovery Center. Take a moment to read our outdoor StoryWalk®, Mole Music by David McPhail. Then, the music walk continues to the next stop. All performances and events are wheelchair accessible, open to all, and free, with suggested donations going to the Nolumbeka Project in support of the Pocumtuck Homelands Festival. The festival is supported by Greenfield Cooperative Bank, RiverCulture, New England Public Media (NEPM), and Mass Cultural Council. For more details, please visit: antennacloudfarm.com/2023-music-walk.

Nice & Easy Walk
2023-07-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-07-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-07-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-07-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 | 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 and bring water. Meet outside the main entrance.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Eagles
2023-07-07 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 or adjacent courtyard.

Live Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi
2023-07-08 14:00 - 15:00 | MA
Free. For all ages. Meet raptors up close and personal! Gather in the Great Hall for birds of prey, presented by Tom Ricardi, a licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist. Tom provides an educational presentation on their lives and habitats as well as conservation. You may see vultures, falcons, owls, and hawks!

Great Hall Exhibit: Montague Parks & Recreation Young Artist Week
2023-07-12 - 2023-07-26 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
July 12 – 26
The Montague Parks & Recreation Summer Camp 2023 celebrates Young Artist Week, bringing their art to the Great Hall. Enjoy works created by children ages 5-12 that focus on local wildlife.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Bobcats
2023-07-14 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Art Naturally Series
2023-07-15 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 art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Snakes
2023-07-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Rabbits
2023-07-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Great Hall Exhibit: Portraits in Red – Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Painting Project
2023-07-29 - 2023-08-30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
The murder rate for Native women is about 3 times more than that of most other women. 98% of Indigenous people experience violence in their lifetime, with only a 6% prosecution rate. Athol-based artist Nayana LaFond began painting a portrait, “Lauraina in RED”, in 2020 to support the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous peoples. The response was overwhelming. She painted another with a more overwhelming response. Nayana invited anyone wanting her to paint them or their loved one for free. She received over 25 responses that first day…and the messages never stopped coming.
More of Nayana’s work on IG @nayanaarts
About the image: “Leonard in RED”
Leonard is Mohawk from Massachusetts. Leonard lost his niece “hummingbird”, when she died he cut his long braids and never grew his hair back out. Leonard is painted in honor of his niece because in Mohawk tradition you can not represent the person who has passed by image as themselves or by their name, only by other names and relationship. So Leonard is painted in honor of his niece Hummingbird who is painted on his shoulder.
