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Be part of a creative crew working on projects that move art and history beyond the MAH.
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History is more than just a story in a book. Many of the adventurous people who arrived in the 1800s and helped change Santa Cruz into a growing modern city are found at Evergreen Cemetery. The Evergreen Cemetery Committee works to preserve the grounds of the Cemetery as well as archive and share the stories of the people buried there.
Meets monthly. See when the next meeting is. Contact Marla Novo marla@santacruzmah.org
The Historic Landmark Committee seeks out structures that shine a light on the people that lived in them and preserve a piece of Santa Cruz County history. "Blue Plaques" are awarded quarterly to structures that have architectural or historic significance throughout the County.
Meets quarterly. Contact Marla Novo marla@santacruzmah.org to join the next meeting.
Want to nominate a building for the Blue Plaque award?Check out the Historic Landmark Committee Page.
Uncover diverse stories about Santa Cruz County. Help write the next publication about an important part of our community’s history. Past publications have been about land use, food, the Jewish community, and unknown figures who once lived in Santa Cruz.
Read the Online History Journal
Browse & Purchase Publications
View a comprehensive list of MAH History Publications
Meets monthly. See when the next meeting is. Contact Marla Novo marla@santacruzmah.org
The Publication Committee works to promote community engagement and interest in the history of Santa Cruz County, for the benefit of residents and visitors. Their mission is to promote engagement and interest by local history researchers and writers.
Help oversee the museum’s acquisition of California art and history objects and archives (photographs and papers) that relate to Santa Cruz County history.
Meets quarterly. See when the next meeting is. Contact Marla Novo marla@santacruzmah.org
Help oversee the museum’s acquisition of California art and history objects and archives (photographs and papers) that relate to Santa Cruz County history.
Meets quarterly. See when the next meeting is. Learn more
Join a group that promotes a deep understanding of local history and presents two awards annually for distinguished service to local history.
Including:
- The Dolkas-Mertz Award is a competitive research grant awarded annually for original projects that promote the understanding of the history of the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay Area both in the area of intellectual research (publishing: writing/photographic, video, voice) and material structure (objects/buildings).
Nominations and applications for the 2024 Dolkas-Mertz Award will be accepted through October 1, 2024. Please download an application form here.
- The Distinguished Historian award is an honor bestowed on a person annually who has made unique contributions to Santa Cruz County history. This award is open to historians, educators, archivists, and enthusiasts who are passionate about local history.
Past Dolkas-Mertz Award Awardees
2023
- Vets Memorial Building Collaboration led by the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz.
2022
- exTANt (Kathleen Aston and Yulia Gilich) audio tour of the labor history of the Tannery Arts Center
2021
- Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park: Mission Bells Project
2020
- Shmuel Thaler and Nikki Silva: Lost & Found: The CZU Lightning Complex Fire Project
2019
- Aptos History Museum: Aptos Life
- Santa Cruz Historic Preservation Commision: The Santa Cruz Wave Motor, 1898–1910
- Stan Stevens: In the Matter of the Investigation of Charges Against Honorable Lucas Flattery Smith (Judge of the Superior Court of the County of Santa Cruz, State of California), praying for his Impeachment, 1905
2018
- Traci Bliss: Santa Cruz Roots: The People of Evergreen Cemetery
- Frank Perry: Santa Cruz County: A Photographic Record from the 1930s
2017
- Alverda Orlando for research for a book about Davenport history
2016
- George J. Fogelson for Between the Redwoods and the Bay: The Jewish Community of Santa Cruz, California
2015
- Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County’s Trailblazers Oral History Project
2014
- Santa Cruz Heritage Food Project for their work researching and testing local recipes of Santa Cruz
2012
- Randall Brown for his research on Josephine Clifford McCrackin
2011
- Alverda Orlando for documentary work on North Coast farmers
- Nicholas Barron for research on systematic bias in federal recognition of Native American groups in the Monterey Bay region
2010
- Maureen Davidson for her research on the history of murals throughout Santa Cruz County
2009
- Barry Brown for his work on the California Powder Works, Santa Cruz County, 1861-1914
2008
- Lucia MacLean for her project to preserve and distribute the history of the Alba School and Recreation District in Ben Lomond
- George Fogelson for his continued study of the History of Jews of Santa Cruz County with new research on the Alexander Family of Watsonville
2007
- Philip Reader for History of African Americans in Santa Cruz County
- Alverda Orlando for Davenport History Website
2006
- Melissa Stevens for An Oral History of Monterey Bay Fishermen, Part I
2005
- Dr. Julianne Burton-Carvajal for a guide to Monterey Bay Adobes
- Robert Edwards and Charr Simpson Smith for archeological work at the Redman-Hiraharra House, Watsonville
2004
- George J. Fogelson for The History of the Jews in Santa Cruz County, 1855-present
2003
- Barry Brown for California Powder Works, 1864-1914
2002
- Colleen Mclnerney-Meagher for The Story of Pogonip
Past Distinguished Historians
2000 Stan Stevens
2001 Alverda Orlando
2002 Frank Perry
2003 Rachel McKay
2004 Norm Lezin
2005 Judy Steen
2006 Jane Borg
2007 Bob Piwarzyk
2008 Betty Lewis
2009 Joan Gilbert Martin
2010 Marion Pokriots
2011 Soquel Pioneer and Historical Association
2017 Randall Brown
2016 George Ow, Jr.
2015 Geoffrey Dunn
2014 Phil Reader
2011 Jane Borg (Lifetime Achievement Award)
2012 Sandy Lydon
2013 Norman and Kathleen Poitevin
2013 Carolyn Swift (Lifetime Achievement Award)