I’m here to tell you the fascinating story of the California Oil Museum. The goal of this presentation is to garner your company’s support in keeping the history of the oil and gas industry thriving for many years to come while providing educational science programs to students throughout the region.
From its roots and history, its exhibits, its workshops and its vision for the future, you will see how it is an integral part of our culture that benefits both our community and our industry now and for generations to come. And, you might see something that 6th graders know that you don’t know, besides how to use an iPhone.
Built in 1890 to house the fledgling Union Oil Company, the ground floor was converted to a Museum in 1950 and refurbished in 1990 on its 100th anniversary.
Today, besides its mission as an active petroleum and earth science education center and its preservation of some of the history of California's petroleum industry, the California Oil Museum serves to remind us of the importance of oil in our daily lives.
“Terrific,” you might think, “but where is it?”.
In 1990, under the direction of Fred Hartley, the museum was renovated and restored for Union Oil Company’s 100th anniversary.
At a cost of $2.5 million the museum’s downstairs was fitted with many new exhibits, the cable tool rig moved into its own new building next door and the upstairs offices restored to their original Victorian grandeur. The exhibits range from upstream geology and exploration to drilling and production, to transportation and marketing, and to environmental protection. Rotating exhibits on various subjects round out the displays.
Reconstructed from timber, cast iron and original parts, a working cable-tool drilling rig from the 1890’s is housed in the separate Rig Building.
Students engaged in examining this rig develop a better understanding of the rugged life and working conditions of early oil field workers. The only thing missing is the steam; the rig is powered by electric motor.
Rotating exhibits cover a wide range of subjects. From Boats to Bugs and Motorcycles to the Moon these exhibits expand the interest and information presented by the Museum. Their popularity also helps increase the number of visitors who view the Museum’s permanent exhibits.
Students from Larsen Elementary School in Oxnard discover there is more to sandstone than just a piece of rock. The growth of interest and knowledge gained by hands-on experience like this is a primary Museum objective. Accomplishment success benefit