Great Falls Discovery Center [Mass. DCR] - Montague, MA
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NorStar
N 42° 36.591 W 072° 33.340
18T E 700494 N 4720387
This passport station is within the Great Falls Discovery Museum and open space by Turners Falls along the Connecticut River, where you can learn about the natural habitats, geology, and industry in this area, all for free.
Waymark Code: WM92CR
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 06/17/2010
Views: 10
In Montague, in the Turners Falls Village section, is the Great Falls Discovery Center, a natural history and culture museum operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. In the museum, you can ask one of the staff there to stamp your passport.
The museum is located just off Route 2 near the intersection of Avenue A and 2nd Street. The parking lot is off 2nd Street. A short walk through a plaza with red rocks, and a left turn brings you to the entrance. The first thing that you come to when you enter the museum is a large map of the Connecticut River Valley, where you will likely meet a staff person. The museum is well worth the stop to look at the map, in looking at the wildlife and habitat displays, and the timelines of the industry and culture that once were located here.
The passport image itself is of a moose in a body of water, with people on a deck looking on. There are hills in the background and clouds in the sky. One minor comment is that the perspective is a bit off. If not, then that moose would have been huge!
After visiting the museum, take a walk down the pathway toward the river. There is a bike path (watch out!), and, at the intersection, there is another path on a bridge over the old industrial canal to a greenway where you can view Turners Falls, which is now dammed. At one time, these falls were natural and dropped 40-50 feet. There is also an impressive fish ladder that is visible behind a fence.
Stop by!
Hours:
Regular Hours
Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm
or by special arrangement.
Summer
Starting May 18th
open daily 10-4
Name of Park, Protected Area, or Cultural Location: Great Falls Discovery Center
Name of System or Passport Program: Massachusetts State Parks
Passport Available: Yes, for free
Parking or Entrance Fee: Not listed
Park Website: [Web Link]
Address of Station:
2 Avenue A
Montague, MA United States of America
01376
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Visit Instructions:
No special instructions, but a picture of yourself or of something unique to that place would be a nice touch.