In the Great Hall

October 1-31, 2011 Northeast Fall Photography by Eric Valentine

Interested in what draws people to New England in the fall? Come check out Eric Valentine's photography exhibit as he brings an Oregonian’s eye to the Northeast.

Oct. 1, 2011 (1:00 - 3:00 pm) Artist Reception

Come meet Oregon photographer, Eric Valentine, our featured artist, in the Great Hall of the Discovery Center. Light refreshments will be served.

Oct. 8, 2011 (10:30 am - 2:00 pm) Catch a Falling Star: Family-science fun…hunting for micrometeorites!

Would you like to catch a falling star (a micrometeorite, that is!) and put it in your pocket? Come to the Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10:30 am and Holyoke Community College geology instructor Steve Winters will show you how!

Scientists estimate that about 22,000 tons of micrometeorite materials fall to the Earth every year. Most falls in the ocean, but some falls on land, and much of it ends up in our rivers. Our New England rivers (especially the Connecticut, New England’s longest) have collected, funneled, and preserved tons of micrometeorites over the years, and they’re just waiting for you to come find them and take them home!

Steve will guide you through family-science fun sifting through river sand with a magnet looking for tiny metallic beads—the most common form in which we find this special kind of cosmic dust. Sand, magnets, and microscopes will be provided.

“Catch a Falling Star!” is sponsored by the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center.

Oct. 14, 2011 (7:00 - 9:00 pm) GFDC Friends present Coffeehouse Series featuring Zydeco Connection

The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host local bands, singers, and musicians in the Great Hall on the second Friday of each month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7 pm. Refreshments available. Museum and museum store open at intermission. Donations ($6–$12 suggested) help the Friends support free programming at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Come catch the Louisiana blues beat with Zydeco Connection--dancing encouraged!

Oct. 15, 2011 (10:00 am-2:00 pm) WoW Express at the Great Falls Discovery Center

Come celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week with the Silvio O. Conte’s new Watershed on Wheels! Walk through an immersion trailer; try your hand at identifying 40 different critters to identify; test your grip compared to an eagle’s talon; play a web of life Jenga type game, and learn about your watershed! Cake offered to celebrate the Refuge System!

Oct. 20, 2011 (7:00 - 8:30 pm) Where do the birds around Turners Falls spend their winters?

Come join Scott Surner from the Hampshire Bird Club help kick off our fledgling group of birders! Scott will share some remarkable information about bird migration and highlight what we can look forward to when spring comes our way. And where do the birds that we see here in the Turners Falls area go in the winter anyway? And, how about the birds that stay local? Why is that? Are you interested in birding? Would you like to learn the answers to these questions and more? Come to this program and let's learn together and get this group flying.

Oct. 22, 2011 (10:00 am - 4:00 pm) Visit the Investigation Station at the Front Desk-

All about pumpkins!

This months’ investigation station be set up at the front desk will cover all aspects of pumpkins. A craft activity will also be available for younger visitors.

Oct. 28, 2011 (10:30 - 11:30 am) Fourth Friday Young Children's Story Hour

Join us the fourth Friday story hour featuring animals of the night in honor of Halloween. Have your little one wear a costume if they would like. There will be a craft activity and prizes! This hour is especially for children ages 3-6.


Sarah A. Bevilacqua
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A
Turners Falls, MA 01376
413.863.3676