Doors Open event returns to Lambton County

Wyoming, ON - The County of Lambton and Tourism Sarnia-Lambton are pleased to announce the return of the popular Doors Open Lambton event, coordinated in collaboration with numerous community partners.

Doors Open Lambton will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will offer free admission to various locations and activities in the communities of Wyoming, Oil Springs, Petrolia, and Sarnia.

Participants can explore a total of 11 guided and three self-guided sites located throughout central Lambton County that showcase the innovation and influence of the oil industry, under the theme "The Legacy of Oil Innovation in Lambton County". Each of the participating sites has a connection to, or helps to preserve, the early oil industry in Lambton County. Special activities, tours and programs not normally accessible to the public have been arranged for the following locations:

Wyoming

• Lambton County Archives - 787 Broadway Street, Wyoming
  • Meet with Archives staff for a behind the scenes tour of the vault and processing room, featuring highlights from the collection related to Lambton’s oil heritage.

Oil Springs

• Fairbank Oil Fields - 2558 Duryee Street, Oil Springs
  • Guided horse-drawn wagon tours of the oil fields will be available, geologist Claudia Cochrane will have a display and discussion, and historians will be on hand throughout Fairbank Oil Fields to share stories about Lambton's oil heritage.
• Oil Museum Of Canada - 2423 Kelly Road, Oil Springs
  • Try out the new Oil Well Virtual Reality Experience presented in partnership with the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Library. Board the guided horse-drawn wagon tour here to explore Fairbank Oil, right across the street.

Petrolia

• The Petrolia Discovery - 4281 Discovery Line, Petrolia
  • Join volunteers for a guided tour inside the newly restored Fitzgerald Rig powerhouse.
• Robert M. Nicol Library - 4020 Petrolia Line, Petrolia
  • Take a tour of the library and meet historian Gary May, who will discuss his biography of William Henry McGarvey, one of the world’s greatest petroleum technologists.
• Victoria Hall - 411 Greenfield Street, Petrolia
  • Take a backstage tour of Victoria Playhouse Petrolia and explore the hidden gems of historic Victoria Hall.
• Christ Church Anglican - 414 Oil Street, Petrolia
  • Experience a tour of the bell tower and oil heritage stained glass series.
• CEEH Board Room - 447 Greenfield Street, Petrolia
  • Visit the CEEH board room with its ornate wood carvings, which is the only remaining, intact part of original home built by oil baron Jacob Englehart.
• Baines Machine & Repair Works - 4162 James Street, Petrolia
  • Enjoy a tour of machine and repair works, which still operates utilizing original oil field technology.
• Nemo Hall - 419 King Street, Petrolia
  • Experience Nemo Hall through an interior tour of this stunning Empire style home.
• Petrolia Standpipe Water Tower - 364 Centre Street, Petrolia
  • Take a self-guided tour of the exterior of the tower.
• East End Cemetery - 4460 North Street, Petrolia
  • Take a self-guided tour of the cemetery.

Sarnia

• Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery - 147 Lochiel Street, Sarnia
  • Gallery staff invite you to visit and take a behind the scenes tour to discover the collections storage vault, including featured works by York Wilson donated by Imperial Oil. Gallery spaces will be closed for exhibition turnover during Doors Open.
• Henry T. Ross Substation - 101 Water Street, Sarnia
  • Take a self-guided tour of the exterior of the substation.

The oil heritage focus of Doors Open Lambton was selected as the Oil Museum of Canada National Historic Site plans for its 60th anniversary in 2020. "The steering committee saw this as a great opportunity to kick off the anniversary year and feature the many sites in central Lambton that celebrate our proud oil heritage", says Laurie Webb, Manager, Museums, Gallery & Archives. "In future years we will be considering different historical themes for the event and featuring other areas of the County".

Residents are invited to tour the 11 sites free of charge, and learn about the fascinating history and influence of the oil industry behind every door. For more information and to download an event map and program please visit www.doorsopenlambtoncounty.ca.

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