aptos history museum

Whiskey Tasting for Aptos History Museum

April 23, 2018 by Seb Frey

Whiskey Tasting for the Aptos History Museum

Here’s a great idea for a fundraiser – a whiskey tasting! This coming Saturday, April 28th, you have a chance to taste five top shelf scotch whiskeys and help support the Aptos History Museum.

Deer Park Wine and Spirits (located in the Deer Park Marketplace) will conduct the tastings of a Glenfiddich 12 year old and a Glenfiddich 15 year old from Speyside, a Springbank 17 year old Sherry Wood from Campbeltown, an Ardbeg 10 year old from Islay, and a Jura 18 year old from the Highlands and Islands. This amazing tasting will include tasting notes, maps and will be accompanied by a kilted bagpiper.

This tasting is appropriate for novices as well as aficionados. Two tasting sessions begin at 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm and are limited to 20 persons per session. Reservations are required by 4:00 pm Friday, April 27th, (831) 688-1467. $25 donation benefits the Aptos History Museum.

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Aptos and the History of Manned Flight

March 6, 2017 by Seb Frey

Did you know that Aptos was host to a pioneering phase in aviation history? In 1903 a man named John Joseph Montgomery began flying his groundbreaking heavier-than-air glider around Aptos. This glider was the first vehicle of its kind to provide human-controlled sustained flight – before the Wright Brothers flew their plane at Kittyhawk.

Craig Harwood, John Montgomery’s great, great grandnephew lives and works locally, and has written a book: “Quest for Flight,” which reveals his great-great grand uncle’s accomplishments, and is currently available on Amazon.com for $24.95 (hardover) and $23.70 (kindle).

The Aptos History Museum will be holding a “Coffee, Tea and History,” event on Saturday, March 11 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM. Mr. Harwood will be making a presentation entitled “Transcending Kitty Hawk: The Real Story of Flight as an Intriguing Slice of Local History” His award-winning book Quest for Flight will be available for purchase and personal inscription by Harwood. The presentation will be held at the Rio Sands Hotel Community Room, 116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos. $15 donation benefits the Aptos History Museum. Reservations required (831) 688-1467.

These Coffee, Tea and History events have been selling out, so if you’re interested in attending, please contact the museum today and secure your seat today!

Learn about the Aptos Serial Killer

October 25, 2016 by Seb Frey

Many readers will probably have heard that Santa Cruz county was once known as the Murder Capital of the World. This notoriety was earned during the early 1970s when three serial killers were operating in Santa Cruz at roughly the same time.

What a lot of Aptosians may not know, however, is that one of those serial killers, Edmund Kemper, called Aptos home and committed many of his horrendous crimes right here. Local Aptos historian Kevin Newhouse recently wrote an article about Kemper which is worth a read.

But what about the other serial killers? For that, the Aptos History Museum is putting on a talk about the True History of Three Serial Killers in Santa Cruz county, presented by local historian Bob Wall. There will be first hand accounts provided by Harold Cartwright, lead investigator for the Public Defender’s Office and former Police Chief Terry Medina. Kevin Newhouse will also be in the house to share more about what he knows.

This event will be held Saturday, October 29th from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the Rio Sands Hotel Community Room. They are asking for a $15 donation to attend, which benefits the museum. Please call 831-688-1467 to make a reservation which is required.

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Eat at Erik’s Deli Cafe and Support Aptos History!

June 21, 2016 by Seb Frey

If you are going to have lunch or dinner on Tuesday, June 28th, why not Eat at Erik’s Deli Cafe and Support Aptos History? The good folks at Erik’s Deli Cafe in Aptos will be raising funds for the Aptos History Museum. A portion of everyone’s meals that day will be contributed to the Aptos History museum. When you go, please be sure to tell them that you are there to support the museum so that a portion of your meal’s expense will be credited to the museum.

The Museum would like to extend their thanks to Erik and Brian Johnson of Erik’s Deli for helping them stay afloat. But they can’t do it without you – so please do mark your calendars and grab a bite at Erik’s on Tuesday, June 28th!

Swing Into Spring Aptos History Museum Party

May 13, 2016 by Seb Frey

Get your Swing on! The Aptos History Museum 10th Anniversary Party will be held on Sunday, May 15th from 3:00 PM until 5:30 PM a the Best Western Seaclff Inn. The theme is Roaring 20’s, echoing the era when modern Aptos sprang to life. Tickets are $25 for museum members (and guests of members) and $30 for non-members.

Party goers are encouraged to come in their best 1920’s era finery, with prizes for the best costume. There will also be live jazz music and a silent auction with many extraordinary items up for sale.

This fun event serves as the Museum’s major fundraiser for the year, and it’s sure to be a ton of fun. Come mix and mingle with your friends and neighbors and support one of our true Aptos Gems. While tickets will be available at the door, please call ahead and order tickets beforehand so they’ll have a good idea how much food they’ll need. The phone # is 831-688-1467.

Aptos History Museum 10th Anniversary Party

February 17, 2016 by Seb Frey

The Aptos History Museum is planning to party hearty to celebrate its 10th birthday! The Aptos History Museum 10th Anniversary Party will be held on Sunday, May 15th from 3:00 PM until 5:30 PM a the Best Western Seaclff Inn. The theme will be Roaring 20’s, harkening back to the era when modern Aptos sprang to life. Tickets are $25 for museum members (and guests of members) and $30 for non-members. Reservations are required, limited, and sure to go fast. So get on the list and contact the Aptos Chamber today at 831-688-1467 to get on the list for this exclusive event!

This party will also serve as the Museum’s major fundraiser for the year. They are planning to raise enough funds at this event to pay their rent for the entire year. The Museum is seeking local business sponsors for the event – if your local business is looking to get increased exposure in front of the movers and shakers of Aptos, this is it!

They will also hold a silent auction, and are currently seeking donated auction items. If you have an item to donate, please get in touch with the Aptos Chamber and let them know how you can help.

Let’s help make this event one for the history books!

Coffee, Tee, and History: F.A. Hihn

January 7, 2016 by Seb Frey

Francis Augustus (“F.A.”) Hihn

The Aptos History Museum is putting on event called “Coffee, Tea and History” about F.A. Hihn, one of the “founding fathers” as it were of Aptos and Santa Cruz. Hihn was Santa Cruz’s first self made millionaire. Among his many accomplishments, he built and ran the first Santa Cruz Railroad, and created the town of Valencia to support his lumber operations in Aptos Village.

The talk will be given by Stan Stevens, author of numerous books, papers, and articles about Hihn. The event will be held on Saturday, January 16th from 3:30 PM until 5:00 PM, and will be held at the Rio Sands Hotel. There’s a $15 entrance fee, which will go to support the Museum. This is sure to be a fun and very interesting presentation for anyone interested in the history of Aptos and Santa Cruz.

Seating is very limited – to grab your seat, call the Aptos Chamber at 831-688-1467 to reserve yours today!

Coffee Tea and History Flyer

Hideout for History

January 28, 2015 by Seb Frey

The good folks at the Aptos History Museum are teaming up with the newest Hot Spot in Aptos to bring you the Hideout for History! Technically the event is called “Dining for History” but given that the discussion will be about the history of the house that The Hideout occupies, Hideout for History seems apt.

The date of the event will be Tuesday, February 24th at 6 PM, and it will be held at The Hideout, the new “it” place in Aptos. There are a limited number of tickets available – less than 40 in all will be sold, so don’t delay! Tickets are $40 each for museum members, and $45 each for non-members. To get a ticket, call 831-688-1467. Proceeds from the event will go to support the operations of the Aptos History Museum.

It should be noted that the ticket includes dinner, but does not include a tip for your server – or cocktails. So bring along some extra coin and get ready to immerse yourself in some local Aptos history. As a primer, you might want to read the excellent article written by Kevin Newhouse about the building which houses The Hideout.