Daytripping Summer 2022

This is the end of the first section, but there are two more sections.
Continuing an Era
By Shauna Ward, Petrolia • Photos from Oil Museum of Canada Facebook page
Tucked away on Kelly Road, in the
quaint village of Oil Springs, Ontario,
a historic entity exists. For over 60
years The Oil Museum of Canada has
captured our hearts and intrigued our
minds by taking us on an expedition
back in time, to learn the story of
Canada’s oil pioneers. The idea to create
a museum from the first commercial
oil well in North America came about
at the 1958 Centennial Ceremony. The
residents wanted to create a place that
recognised the innovation, hard work
and contributions themselves and
their ancestors devoted to the global
development of the oil industry. With
great support from many big-name
commercial sponsors, the municipalities
of Sarnia, the Village of Oil Springs and
Lambton County, the vision became a
reality. With the continued support of
the residents, schools, businesses and
all the surrounding communities the
museum continues to thrive.
In the last 60 years, the museum
has welcomed hundreds of thousands
of people from all over the globe, all of
whom have come to perceive a great
era of the past.
I still remember taking a trip as a child
to the museum with my school, before I
called this area home. I will never forget
the strange but sweet smell of crude oil
and getting to experience the history
that was the heart of our community.
It was incredible. Now, some years
later, my son was able to explore and
appreciate the same trip with his school,
one that he will never forget. And when
I took my younger boys on one of the
various PA Day events, their reaction
was pure gold. The wonder and awe on
their little faces when they heard what
everything was, or had been, how the
pumps worked and seeing all the “cool
stuff” as they put it, that had been well
taken care of and exhibited to make you
feel like you’d taken a step back in time.
Truly a remarkable memory, for kids
and adults alike.
The museum is showcased on a vast
10 acres, on which you will encounter
many historic buildings including the
original train station that was used
during the black gold era. All these
buildings, some of which endured
significant improvements recently,
are filled with information and
artifacts that take you right back
to the dawn of the petroleum
industry, including the wellpreserved
national historic drilling
site of James Miller Williams from
1858.
Inside, you can enjoy a guided tour or
watch a video in the museum’s theatre,
browse the many exhibits featuring
drilling tools, and countless artifacts
from the era. Hear stories of drillers
from far and wide that came for a
chance at a new life in the place that we
now call home.
So, if it’s been a while since your last
visit to the museum, or if you’ve never
had the pleasure to go and experience
what the Oil Museum of Canada has
taken so much pride in, make this
the year to venture to Oil Springs and
discover it for yourself.
Publisher’s note: I took that school trip
as well, before I called this area home,
and will never forget the strange smell of
crude oil. There is also much more history
to expose yourself to just by driving at
a snail’s pace on the backroads of Oil
Springs on the self-guided tour or one
of the horse-drawn wagon tours. Come
out and explore the new renovations
and enjoy the numerous events that are
planned for this summer like Black Gold
Fest on July 9th.
Barn Mural in OIL SPRINGS
S
Summer 2022 “For use on animals only” (label on an electric cattle prod)
Page 31