On Feb. 9, the Hicksville Gregory Museum's Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Thomas (Tom) Heckhaus as director of the museum. Heckhaus joined the museum in January 2004 and served as office administrator, a job he handled with extreme capability.

Born and raised in Whitestone, Heckhaus graduated with honors from Aviation High School in Long Island City and went on to a 36-year career with the New York Telephone Company, retiring in June of 2002. He is an avid volunteer and spends his free time teaching beginner photography to the Oceanside Chapter of Girl Scouts of America as well as working with the National Park Service. Heckhaus enjoys hiking and camping, having climbed Mt. Lassen in California and camped in the Southern California desert. In addition, he has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Australia, Canada and Mexico.

A collector and lecturer on Telephone History, Heckhaus' personal collection of telephony memorabilia is currently on loan to the museum and is displayed in the local history room. The exhibit "Half Century of Dial Telephones" has become a popular attraction to visitors.

Heckhaus' goals for the museum are to convince children and parents to leave their video games and television sets and experience the natural world. "I've spent a lot of time with my daughter visiting museums and parks. It pains me when young people know more about a video game character than about the natural world," he said. "The experience is here, waiting in museums and parks throughout the region."

Heckhaus, a resident of Valley Stream, is a member of the Long Island Writer's Guild, Long Island Rock Hounds and Hicksville Chamber of Commerce. A widower, he has one daughter, Pamela Marie, who is employed with a major Long Island health plan provider.

Stop by the Gregory Museum and say hello to its new director, Tom Heckhaus.