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Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History

1305 East Cliff Drive

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History

831-420-6115

History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.

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AARP Events for Newton Center

AARP Events for Newton Center

• Featured Event

  AARP MA Boston Volunteer Network Meeting 3/21/25

  Friday, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. ET

  One Beacon Street

  Boston, MA

• CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort

  Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. ET

  Zoom

  Online Event

• Key Questions to Consider About Medicare Initial Enrollment

  Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. ET

  Zoom

  Online Event

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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1305 East Cliff Drive</div>
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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
							<span>CA</span>
												<span>95062</span>
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										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Newton Center</h2>
</header>
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<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:MA@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MA@aarp.org</a></li>

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											<div>1305 East Cliff Drive</div>
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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
							<span>CA</span>
												<span>95062</span>
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										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</h1></header>

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				<p>
					<div>
											<div>1305 East Cliff Drive</div>
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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
							<span>CA</span>
												<span>95062</span>
											</div>
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					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</h1></header>

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					<div>
											<div>1305 East Cliff Drive</div>
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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
							<span>CA</span>
												<span>95062</span>
											</div>
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				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
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	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
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		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newton Center</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newton Center</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
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				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ma-boston-volunteer-network-meeting-32125-32nq69mqq85.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-MA-BOSTON-VOLUNTEER-NETWORK-MEETING-32125">AARP MA Boston Volunteer Network Meeting 3/21/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">One Beacon Street</p>
					<p class="loc">Boston, MA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-4yn8lj6jmz9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/key-questions-to-consider-about-medicare-initial-enrollment-virtual-seminar-massachusetts-31425-1200-pm-et-9bnmch32gpy.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-KEY-QUESTIONS-TO-CONSIDER-ABOUT-MEDICARE-INITIAL-ENROLLMENT">Key Questions to Consider About Medicare Initial Enrollment</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/newton-center-ma/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
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<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWTONCENTER-MA">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-NEWTONCENTER-MA">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
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</div>
<style>
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	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPMA" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPMA">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
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<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Newton Center</h2>
</header>
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<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:MA@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MA@aarp.org</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/massachusetts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Massachusetts</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/contact-aarp-massachusetts/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-NEWTONCENTER-MA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
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												<span>95062</span>
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										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Newton Center</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Newton Center</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ma-boston-volunteer-network-meeting-32125-32nq69mqq85.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-MA-BOSTON-VOLUNTEER-NETWORK-MEETING-32125">AARP MA Boston Volunteer Network Meeting 3/21/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">One Beacon Street</p>
					<p class="loc">Boston, MA</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-4yn8lj6jmz9.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/key-questions-to-consider-about-medicare-initial-enrollment-virtual-seminar-massachusetts-31425-1200-pm-et-9bnmch32gpy.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-KEY-QUESTIONS-TO-CONSIDER-ABOUT-MEDICARE-INITIAL-ENROLLMENT">Key Questions to Consider About Medicare Initial Enrollment</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
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			<p><a class="link-red" href="/newton-center-ma/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
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		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
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											<div>1305 East Cliff Drive</div>
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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
							<span>CA</span>
												<span>95062</span>
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										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
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												<span>95062</span>
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										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ma-boston-volunteer-network-meeting-32125-32nq69mqq85.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-MA-BOSTON-VOLUNTEER-NETWORK-MEETING-32125">AARP MA Boston Volunteer Network Meeting 3/21/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:00&nbsp;a.m. ET</p>
					<p class="venue">One Beacon Street</p>
					<p class="loc">Boston, MA</p>
					
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	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
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<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Newton Center</h2>
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											<div>1305 East Cliff Drive</div>
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							<span>Santa Cruz</span>,
							<span>CA</span>
												<span>95062</span>
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										<a href="http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/" target="_blank">Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History</a>
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												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 831-420-6115</div>
				
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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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						<p>History:The Museum traces its beginnings to the late 1800s and the collection of naturalist Laura Hecox. Miss Hecox was born in Santa Cruz in 1854 and from childhood had a keen interest in the natural sciences. Her parents, Adna and Margaret Hecox, traveled overland from Illinois to California in 1846 and settled in Santa Cruz the following year. In 1869 Mr. Hecox was appointed keeper of the original Santa Cruz Lighthouse and took up residence there with his wife and family. Young Laura soon began collecting seashells, minerals, fossils, Indian artifacts, and other specimens and curios, turning part of the lighthouse into a private nature museum. "This young lady is quite a student of conchology, and her display of shells and cabinet specimens is greatly admired by all who visit the lighthouse," said a writer in 1879.In 1883 Adna Hecox died and Laura Hecox was appointed lighthouse keeper by the federal government. She stayed at the post for thirty-three years. On weekends she gave public tours of the lighthouse including her personal natural history museum. Although interested in all of natural history, her specialty was mollusks. She corresponded with prominent scientists of the day and had at least two mollusk species named in her honor.</p>		</div>
		

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		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/newton-center-ma/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118