Through a partnership with the world’s largest museum complex, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center proudly host Crossroads: Changes in Rural America, a traveling exhibit produced by the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program in partnership with Mass Humanities. In 1900, about 40% of Americans lived in rural areas. By 2010, less than 18% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. In just over a century, economic and social changes led to massive growth of America’s urban areas. Yet, less than 10% of the U.S. landmass is considered urban. Many Americans assume that rural communities are endangered and hanging on by a thread, but that perception is far from true in many areas.

The exhibit offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. It includes local exhibits on Franklin County and related programming throughout the county. For detailed descriptions of Crossroads programming see: greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/crossroads.

On Saturday, February 25 the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage at 2 Mead Street in Greenfield will host “Cutlery and Hand Tools,” a talk by silversmith Steve Smithers with demonstrations by Marc Fournier from 1-4pm. Steve will explore the story of the tradesmen and artisans who arrived in Greenfield and the surrounding towns in the late 18th century. Marc, a long-time museum volunteer, will lead a hands-on tool clinic and discussion about the history of the area’s tool making companies.

All Cooped Up! Music Concert

Saturday, March 25, 7:00—9:00 p.m.

The Franklin County Musicians Cooperative (COOP) features solo artists, established duos, and small group performers who perform an unpredictable mix of folk, rock, country, Celtic, jazz and swing. Suggested donations. Meet in the Great Hall.

The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Turners Falls at the Great Falls Discovery Center by Mass Humanities, Big Y, Greenfield Savings Bank and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Local sponsors include the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, DCR, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, RiverCulture, Montague Public Libraries, and New England Public Media.

February 5 – March 18