Visitors from around the world tour the Oil Museum of Canada to learn the story of Canada’s Oil Pioneers – a unique and captivating era of history!

The Oil Museum of Canada, in the Village of Oil Springs, preserves the site of the first commercial oil well in North America.  This oil heritage district also developed the world's first gusher and the world’s first oil exchange.  While visiting the museum guests can explore a replica of the first oil well dug by James Miller Williams in 1858, or they can view original oil wells adjacent to the museum which continue to produce oil to this day, on one of the oldest oilfields in the world.  Visitors will experience the eventful life and times of Canada’s oil pioneers and the birth of the oil industry in North America.

The museum and outdoor exhibit buildings contain a wealth of petroleum industry artifacts, working exhibits, kerosene lamps, fascinating stories, intriguing photographs and more!  There are many odd and unique mementos of the ‘foreign drillers’ – snake skins, butterflies, brass urns, bead work – all brought home by pioneer oilmen who travelled the world in search of oil.  Visitors can also see tools, dishes, photos, bird eggs, Peruvian water jugs, rocks, clocks and more.  This unique history and the many fascinating stories are of interest to everyone! 

Oil Springs and Petrolia are located in the heart of Lambton County in the Oil Heritage District.  Click here to visit the Black Gold website produced by the Oil Museum of Canada, a valuable research resource which describes the history of Lambton’s Oil Heritage District in detail.

Visit the Oil Museum on a class field trip!  Our school programs are fun and educational.