Turners Falls is a small Massachusetts town with a vibrant art scene
Along a curve in the Connecticut River, Turners Falls is largely surrounded by waterways in western Massachusetts. The town's Historic District has echoes of the area's industrial past, including the steel girders of bridges across the river, a smokestack on the power canal and trails tracing old railroad tracks. Though the departure of mills and industry impacted the community, an arts scene has begun to take form. “When the mills left, slowly over decades from the ‘50s onward, social and economic issues set in," says Suzanne LoManto, director of RiverCulture, a municipal program dedicated to strengthening a creative economy in Turners Falls and surrounding villages. “Our fortune has been up and down. You move here if you want to engage in community. Nothing happens without it."
That community draws locals to the downtown area, which has a mix of housing, businesses and landmarks. RiverCulture began with former town administrator Frank Abbondanzio, who helped found spaces including Unity Park, the largest recreational spot in Turners Falls. “He was nothing short of visionary,” LoManto says. “In a town of 4,000 people, to have someone whose job is to focus on the arts is unusual. The only other places in Western Massachusetts that have a position dedicated to the arts are Easthampton and Northampton.” The historic downtown and generational families make for a close-knit atmosphere and help to preserve Turners Falls' past while making way for the vibrant arts scene. "It's like a little urban downtown in the middle of the most rural county in Massachusetts," LoManto says. "You come over this very stately bridge from Route 2 over waterfalls, over the dam and into this little brick village."
Homes in the Historic District of Turners Falls
Avenue A marks the start of the designated cultural district, but the surrounding streets offer a residential atmosphere. While most of Turners Falls' residential area is located on the east side of the community, some homes are on an island between the river and canal, known as "The Patch," primarily connected to the mainland by the 11th Street Bridge.
Most properties date to the early- or mid-20th century, with many ranch-style homes and colonial-style homes within the community. Other architectural styles include Craftsmans and Victorians, some of which date as far back as the 1800s. Most home prices range between $200,000 and $350,000, but larger properties with sizable yards can cost upwards of $400,000, but potential buyers should be aware that demand for homes here leads to low inventory.
Students are served by the Gill-Montague Regional School District
The Gill-Montague Regional School District serves the area, and students can attend a quartet of schools. Hillcrest Elementary School and Sheffield Elementary School sit practically back-to-back in central Turners Falls, walkable from some of the surrounding homes; Hillcrest Elementary has a B-minus rating from Niche and enrolls kindergarteners and first-graders, while Sheffield Elementary runs from second to fifth grade and gets a C-minus. Great Falls Middle School receives a C. Turners Falls High School garners a B-minus rating. Students can also apply to Franklin County Technical School, which is less than 3 miles from central Turners Falls and offers vocational training in fields like veterinary science, culinary arts, carpentry and web programming.
Historic trails along the river and amenities at Unity Park
The Canalside Rail Trail traces the banks of the Connecticut River, accommodating those on foot or on bikes. Though locomotives no longer run on the railroad beds that make up the trail, locals can see trains from certain points. “The bike path is one of the spines of the community," LoManto says. "It goes around the Turners Falls Cultural District and gets a ton of use.” Within the cultural district, Unity Park is the area's primary green space. Visitors can take to the playground with splash areas, shoot hoops at its basketball court or play on the ballfield. The park also has a large skate park and community garden. Peskeomskut Park has a bandshell and playground.
Dining along Avenue A close to the river
Most local restaurants and businesses are situated close to the river in the downtown area, mostly on or around Avenue A, and some eateries and boutique shops are in buildings that formerly housed mill workers. The Dreamhouse Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, while The Rendezvous has a classic pub atmosphere with food, drinks, live music and events. Locals can also get an early-morning coffee at The Upper Bend or order international fare at Ce Ce's Chinese Restaurant or Mohawk Shawarma Grill. Other stops include the Shady Glen Diner, which has been open for almost 50 years, and the Turners Falls Pizza House. Grocery shoppers have a Food City in the community, and there is a Walmart less than 20 miles east.
Annual events and celebrations in Turners Falls
Peskeomskut Park's bandshell is the site of a summer concert series. The park also hosts the Summer Movie Series and the Great Falls Farmers Market, which is held on Saturdays from spring to fall. Unity Park is also the site of annual events, including the Pocumtuck Homelands Festival, which celebrates Native American artists and musicians. Musica Franklin's annual Fun Fest is also held at Unity Park and features jam sessions, musical activities and more.
The Covid pandemic hit the downtown area hard, especially in terms of the artistic elements that Frank Abbondanzio worked so hard to build. When the pandemic threat subsided, a Local Rapid Recovery Plan was implemented for the downtown Turners Falls area, with focuses aimed at improvements, redevelopment and art installation. One of those efforts was a partnership with renowned theater leaders to bring an elevated level of quality to the area’s dramatic productions. “It’s the Shea Theater's first year partnering with directors from the Royal Shakespeare Company," LoManto says. "We have people from Stratford-upon-Avon here to lead workshops and performances. I think that gives you an idea of the level of gumption we have."
Getting around western Massachusetts
Locals living downtown can walk almost anywhere, including the grocery store. Outside of that immediate orbit, LoManto says people drive for everyday errands. Interstate 91 is just across the Connecticut River, running the length of Massachusetts and beyond. Boston is around 100 miles to the east, a trip of about 2 hours. Franklin Regional Transit Authority serves the area with buses and vans, including stops along Avenue A. Baystate Franklin Medical Center is less than 5 miles west across the Connecticut River Bridge.
Crime and weather in Turners Falls
As a whole, the community receives a CAP Index crime score of 4 out of 10, on par with the national average. Montague experiences heavy snowfall during the winter and occasional flooding. Montague City Road, a mile northwest of Turners Falls, is vulnerable during heavy rain and prone to closure.
