Peskeompskut Audio Tour
Unity Park Bike Path, Turners Falls
Funded with an Expand Massachusetts Stories Grant from Mass Humanities, The Peskeompskut Audio Tour explores the nuanced local history of Peskeompskut, an important Native American settlement sieged in 1676 during King Philip’s War. The goal of this project is to ignite interest in Indigenous, Colonial and Industrial Era history and to honor the continuance the Nipmuc, Wampanoag and Abenaki people. Story topics range from ancient Indigenous history to the 19th Century Industrial Era.
To connect to a story, simply scan one of the tour’s QR codes located on posts along the bike path. You will be directed to the audio file that coordinates with that point. Of click this link: https://peskeompskut.stqry.app/Suzanne LoManto, Director of RiverCulture, would like to thank co-chair David Brule of the Nolumbeka Project, Rebecca Chase and Dan Bovair of Audri.Life, Mass Humanities, DCR and FirstLight Power for their partnership. Special thanks to storytellers Rich Holschuh, Doug Harris, Liz Coldwind Santana Kiser, Kit Carpenter, Robert Perry, Ed Gregory, Chris Clawson, Dr. Kevin McBride, Dr. Ashley Bissonette. Music for the Peskeompskut Audio Tour was kindly donated by Hawk Henries, Kenny Butler, and Jesse Bowman Bruchac.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Seating Area at Avenue A and Third Street, Turners Falls
Sculptor, Tim de Christopher (2017)
The winning proposal for public art, “Rock Paper Scissors” incorporates elements of Turners Falls’ natural, social and industrial history. Tim de Christopher used local red sandstone for the “rock” and Indiana limestone for the paper mill and barber shop, representing the town’s industrial and social history. The figure in the barber shop door is former Town Administrator, Frank Abbondanzio.
About the Artist: Tim de Christopher is a sculptor working primarily in stone and steel. His work is deeply rooted in the tradition of architectural stonework and sculpture. De Christopher was trained at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, The Cooper Union School of Art, and through apprenticeship in Italy. Through his experience as a carver for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City (1990-92) de Christopher perfected centuries-old traditions while exploring new ways to re-dress traditional forms with contemporary sensibilities.
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls
The Great Falls Discovery Center is a Massachusetts State Park on four acres of rolling lawns and gardens. The Discovery Center interprets the Connecticut River, watershed and wildlife. Free and wheelchair accessible. Download a copy of the self-guided walking tour On a Roll: The Story of Paper in Turners Falls.
The Turners Falls Cultural District
The boundaries of the Cultural District extend along Avenue A from the Great Falls Discovery Center to the Carnegie Library, and North of Third Street to the Connecticut River.
Carnegie Library
201 Avenue A, Turners Falls
The Montague Public Library system has three branches: Millers Falls, Montague Center, and the grand Georgian-style Carnegie Library in Turners Falls, built in 1906 by Andrew Carnegie. Montague is a member of the MLS (Massachusetts Library System) allowing patrons to borrow books, CDs, DVDs and tapes from any partner library in the system. Try Kanopy! It’s like Netflix for libraries! Anyone with a Montague Public Libraries library card can now enjoy thousands of free videos on the streaming service.
Shea Theater Arts Center
71 Avenue A, Turners Falls
In the heart of the Turners Falls Cultural District.
This 330 seat non-profit theater offers diverse local, regional and national performances.
Ja’Duke Theater
110 Industrial Blvd, Turners Falls
Ja’Duke Theater is a brand new state-of-the-art 540 seat theater with the largest stage in Franklin County! Ja’Duke Theater is proud to offer live theater, concerts, recitals and more in the heart of Turners Falls. Our full season of events can be found online at jaduketheater.com
Bridge of Names
Owasso Ave., Lake Pleasant
The Bridge of Names was built in the 1970s to connect two neighborhoods in the Village of Lake Pleasant. The sideboards are notably carved with the names of hundreds of locals who built and maintained the bridge. Damaged severely in October 2020 by an intense storm, the bridge was rebuilt by the Lake Pleasant Village Association one year later. Lake Pleasant is the site of an early and prominent American Spiritualist campground. It claims to be the oldest continuously existing Spiritualist community in the United States.
Montague Bookmill
440 Greenfield Rd., Montague
“Books You Don’t Need in a Place You Can’t Find”
The Montague Bookmill is a used bookstore housed in an 1842 gristmill, set on the banks of the Sawmill River. The mill is also home to Sawmill River Arts and Turn It Up! music and movie empire. There is great food and drink all day at the Lady Killigrew Café and the Watershed Restaurant.
Sawmill River Art Gallery
440 Greenfield Road, Montague Center
Celebrating its 11th year as an artist’s collective, the Sawmill River Art Gallery gallery currently includes 15 member artists and 18 guest artists who are all exclusively local to the Western Massachusetts. Shop our collection of work that includes jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, gourds, collage, note cards, hooked rugs, wearable fiber art, as well as creations in wood and metal.
Montague Soap Box Races
Unity Park Hill, Turners Falls
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Come join us and race for fun and the glory of gravity powered cars! Build a car, race in the event, and possibly win in one of three age categories, Kids (8-12), Teens (13-19), and Adults (20+). There will also be prizes given for car creativity and design. The Montague Soap Box Races is a fund raising event for Montague Parks and Recreation.
Great Falls Festival (Pumpkinfest)
Avenue A, Turners Falls
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Bring a carved pumpkin to the Great Falls Festival, one of the largest fall festivals in Western Massachusetts. This free family event features street food, craft vendors, a 21+ beer tent and live entertainment on three stages.