Drake Well Museum - Titusville, PA - Birth of the Oil Industry

The Drake Well Museum is located off of Route 8, south of Titusville. It is located in Cherrytree Township on Museum Lane Road. The Drake Well Museum is dedicated to the beginnings and development of the oil industry. It takes its name from its centerpiece of interest, the Drake Well.

The Drake Well was an oil well that was drilled in 1859 by Edwin L. Drake. Drake had worked for the Seneca Oil Company during the 1850s. He was sent to Titusville to locate oil based on reports that there were oil deposits in the area. He began drilling, and for some months, the drill used did not reach oil. Seneca abandoned the project, but Drake kept on. Eventually, in late summer, the drill reached oil.

The Museum is supported by the Friends of Drake Well, Inc. This association maintains the Museum as well as providing educational programs. The association published a quarterly newsletter, The Barker, as well as an annual journal, The Oilfield. The former is relevant to happenings at the Museum, while the later publishes information on the oil industry. There are six types of membership available for joining the Friends of Drake Well, Inc., including two corporate memberships. The student membership is $5 and is for children 6-12 years old. This entitles them to free receipt of the newsletter and free admission to the Museum. The life membership is $500 and grants free admission to the Museum, receipt of the newsletter, free use of the facilities, and 10% discount in the store. Interested parties should contact (814) 827-2797 for more information.

The Museum's most impressive feature is its extensive collection of research materials. The collection contains over 3,500 titles on the oil industry including oil well supply catalogues, oil directories, handbooks, guides, prospectus of various early oil companies, geological surveys, city directories, county histories, and bibliographies. Some of this material is on manuscript as well as in finished-book format.

The Museum collection also contains a massive collection of photographs relating to the oil industry, many from the industry's earliest times. These photographs are also available for reproduction and purchase through the Museum. Information on photographs, fees, and publication rights can be gotten through curator Sue Beates 814-827-1147 Ext. 103.

There are at least four different tours available for guests. Information can be obtained by contacting the Tour Coordinator at 814-827-1147 Ext. 107. Group tour members are welcome to use the facilities for lunch after their tour. The Nitro Show is one of the more popular tours, but there is a minimum requirement of 100 persons. This Show tours the Museum, walks along Oil Creek, presents the Nitro Show (involves incendiaries), and explains the importance and growth of the oil industry. Another tour, the Museum Tour, just involves the Museum proper. This tour is $2 for students and $4 for adults.

The gift shop sells memorabilia like caps, t-shirts, and coffee mugs. Photos, books, and other media are also available.

From 2009 to 2011, the Museum will be closed for renovation, celebrating the 150 years of the oil industry. To facilitate these renovations, the State of Pennsylvania has provided over $6 million to assist in the project.