About Us
Our Mission | Our Mandate | Careers | Designations | Contact Us
The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site is a non-profit museum, owned and operated by the County of Lambton. We preserve the site of the very first commercial oil well of North America, dug by James Miller Williams in 1858. The Museum opened in 1960, learn more about our story.
The Oil Museum of Canada is a National Historic Site and made up of seven buildings situated on 10 acres of land. Four of our buildings are historic structures and two have Ontario Heritage Designations. Our main building is open year round and our outbuildings are open from May to October. Our work is framed through Lambton County Museums Strategic Plan, which establishes a clear vision reflected in the County's needs, assets, constraints, and ambitions.
Our main gallery is open year round. Visitors engage with interactive displays and learn our story through the interpretation of our collection and a 12-minute video. Since our opening in 1960, we have acquired additional structures and buildings to enhance the story of oil heritage at the Museum. The grounds are open from May to October.
Our Mission
The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site, tells the story of Lambton County's important contributions to the development of the world's oil industry. Central to the Industrial Heritage Conservation District, the Museum benefits local residents and visitors by increasing their understanding and appreciation of this unique industrial heritage area.
Our Mandate
The Oil Museum of Canada is hereby continued for the purpose of preserving enhancement and presentation of oil heritage, artifacts, culture, and history of the County of Lambton and its surroundings.
Careers
The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site is owned and operated by the County of Lambton. All employment opportunities are posted on the County's Job Board. We can only accept applications from individuals for specific jobs through the recruitment process outlined on the job board.
Designations
Since 1925, Oil Springs has held a National Historic Site designation for the Oil Springs oil fields. Reaffirming this national status in 2006. And in 2010, a committee formally defined the borders of the oil heritage cultural landscape. We know our local history has globally significant reach and in 2017, we made a bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
Contact Us
We are located in Oil Springs at 2423 Kelly Road. If additional information is needed, view our contact us page.