On a Roll: The Story of Paper in Turners Falls
Did you know the Connecticut River once powered nearly 150 years of paper manufacturing in Turners Falls? This self-guided walking tour begins at the Great Falls Discovery Center and follows the canals, mills, and streets where immigrants, mill workers, and entrepreneurs shaped an industrial village. Paper manufacturing relied on abundant water, labor, and ingenuity, making the town a hub of innovation and community. Along the way, stories of risk, resilience, and change highlight how industry left its mark on both land and people, offering visitors a sense of place tied to history, agriculture, and cultural studies.
Self-Directed Learning
Did you know paper has shaped human culture for thousands of years, from ancient Egyptian papyrus to Chinese papermaking innovations? Its invention fueled literacy, science, trade, and industry, eventually giving rise to books, newspapers, and modern communication. Paired with the Turners Falls walking tour, this perspective links global history to the local mills that powered nearly 150 years of regional paper production. At home, families can explore the chemistry of papermaking, trace the history of written communication, or try hands-on projects to create small sheets of paper, connecting everyday materials to a worldwide story. Fun fact: the world still uses hundreds of millions of tons of paper every year!
What do you think it was like to grow up in a town like Turners Falls when the paper mills were busy every day?
How do you imagine the river helped people make paper and build their town?
If you could choose, would you rather write or draw on paper, or share your ideas on a screen? Why?
