California Oil Museum (Anna Mkrtchyan)
Reviewed by: Anna Mkrtchyan, Science teacher at AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School.
Location: 1001 E Main St Santa Paula, CA 93060
GPS coordinates
Description:
The California Oil Museum is a historic museum that talks about the oil rush that defined California and how it benefits the state in modern day times. It is both a modern interactive and traditional museum that highlights “the inner workings of the state’s black gold industry through interactive displays, videos, working models, games, photographs, restored gas station memorabilia, and an authentic turn-of-the-century cable-tool drilling rig.”
Audience:
A Earth Science and History teacher would benefit visiting the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula, California in order for the students to get more experience with “hands on” activities and explore the world of petroleum technology, science, and history in California.
For additional information:
The best way to get here is- the train!
Tours & Fees
The CALIFORNIA OIL MUSEUM offers a popular year-round tours program that can be tailored to fit your needs and schedule! Guided tours are 1 – 2 hours in length and may be done in the morning and afternoon. Guided tours are available for museum visitors on a regular daily schedule and by appointment. Advance reservations are advised for all groups to be assured of the availability of a tour guide.
The Museum group tour rate for twenty or more adult visitors is $3 per person. Tours may be scheduled outside of normal operating days and hours an additional $25 opening fee. Caterers can provide lunch or dinner at the Museum by arrangement. Please call the Museum for further information and reservations.
Tours Program
There are three major tour areas at the California Oil Museum:
Age of Petroleum Tours:
Visitors tour the permanent exhibits of the Museum, spending time exploring how Native Americans used natural oil seeps, seeing a miniature drilling rig bore into the earth, sizing up vintage ten-foot gas pumps, remembering the memorable brands of gas bought by early California car drivers, viewing an authentic 1890s working drilling rig, and trying their hand at “wildcatting” for petroleum. Smithsonian quality exhibits.
1890s Second Story Offices:
Visitors tour the nine original offices of Union Oil Company, each with its own storied past, and restored to original mint condition – ten tiled fireplaces, oak wainscoting, plaster archways, ceiling medallions, stained glass, vintage lighting, and more. One of the finest 1890s commercial building interior restoration in California.
Rotating Exhibits Tours:
Visitors tour outstanding new exhibits of transportation, science, history, and art that are presented throughout the year. See the rotating exhibits webpage for the exhibit schedule. Exhibits usually run two to four months.