Village of Oil Springs

Guiding Beacon: Patricia McGee

Through the printed word, Pat McGee has worked to shine a light on the multi-faceted oil history of Lambton and to highlight the talents found within several community groups.

Using her background as a former magazine editor and journalist, Pat writes about the past and about current happenings in the Oil Heritage District.

Her heritage books include:

• The Story of Fairbank Oil - Four Generations of the Family Producing Oil Longer than Anyone in the World (2004),
• Canada's Tale of Toil and Oil (1996); and
• Wonders of Light - The Stained Glass Art of Christopher Wallis, Heritage in Oil, Heritage in Faith (2010).

Pat spearheaded the production of the book We Have Learned a Thousand Things (2006). This was written by the children and staff of Hillcrest-Queen Elizabeth II School in Petrolia and presented to Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman when he visited the school. The sales of the book raised money for his literacy campaign and also for the school's Peaceful School Committee.

Active with Petrolia Community Theatre, Pat has written and designed more than a dozen theatre programs for their shows at Victoria Hall in Petrolia.

Jennifer Audette, a former member of the Peaceful School Committee, nominated Pat McGee, noting, “Pat's a tireless promoter of both Petrolia and Oil Springs.”

Nominee:

Elizabeth Adamson

Elizabeth Adamson, Ontario's first licensed druggist was a heroine of the oil fields in the 1800s.

When her husband George was appointed as the village's court clerk in the early 1860s, Elizabeth worked as an assistant to Dr. Samuel MacKlem. In 1866, she decided to open her own business and as a result became the province's first licensed female pharmacist.

Even after the collapse of the local oil boom, Elizabeth was a constant professional and passionate supporter of the local community. When most retailers in the village left, Elizabeth persevered and added a line of groceries to her store.

Nominated by Jennifer Turk on behalf of the Village of Oil Springs Council, Elizabeth died in 1886.