Oil Museum of Canada

09/09/2026

09/07/2026

This walking stick once belonged to Harrison Corey and was a gift to him from his employees in 1900.

Harrison “Tip” Corey was born in New York in 1840 and moved to Canada with his family at the age of 6. The Corey family first lived in Caledonia, Ontario, then Stratford, where Harrison’s father, Truman, owned a grain business.

In 1863, Harrison married Eugenia Pine and together they raised five children. In 1875 their family settled in Petrolia where Harrison owned a hotel called “The Corey House”. After a few years in the hotel business, he entered the oil drilling industry.

Harrison Corey and his son, Bloss P. Corey formed H. Corey & Son in 1894. The company manufactured explosives like nitroglycerin, which were used in the oil fields for blasting through bedrock so oil wells could access the oil deposits below. Harrison also diversified his business portfolio beyond the oil industry, becoming involved in fire insurance, and pork packing companies among other business ventures.

Harrison was quite involved in local life, being a freemason and a member of Petrolia City Council. After Harrison Corey died in 1905, his son, Bloss continued his father’s business, rebranding as “Bloss P. Corey & Son”.

Harrison Corey’s dark wooden walking stick possesses an ornately decorated gold handle etched with the message, "Harrison Corey from his employees - Petrolia Aug 18th, 1900."

The walking stick is currently housed in Oil Museum of Canada’s collection.

09/04/2026

As we say goodbye to summer break, we sadly also have to say farewell to our fantastic summer students. Jesse and Matt were welcome additions to our important work this summer, ensuring our visitors were greeted with a friendly face, our artifacts were accurately catalogued, and events on the museum grounds ran smoothly.

We say thank you to them both for all of their hard work and wish them all the success this school year!

09/03/2026

Wasn't that Race Amazing?! Want to learn more about Lambton County history and Canada's oil history on the world stage? Then you need to read Hard Oiler!

" A hard-luck Yankee fortune seeker. A Hamilton, Ontario wagon maker hoping to sell cars to the new railways. A Howling swamp so isolated and foul that pioneer farmers had steered it a wide miss". Author Gary May takes you from the early beginnings of the oil industry, the rise and fall of Oil Springs, and follows those foreign drillers that opened up oil fields in 86 countries.

Available in the Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site's gift shop. Open Wednesday. Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

09/02/2026

the Gas Genie was a mascot created for Union Gas and used throughout Canada? You got one free when you purchased a new gas appliance or hooked-up natural gas to your home.

The mascot was designed by Gene Hazelton, a Hanna-Barbera staff artist, and the toys were manufactured by Gantz Toys in Montreal or Renee Toys in Toronto.

There was also a matching Blue Angel. The Blue Angel was unique in that she was also a pajama keeper, where you could unzip the bottom of the doll and store your pajamas inside.

The tops of these toys were meant to mimic the blue natural gas flames from a gas stove.

Did you have one of these growing up? Let us know in the comments!

08/31/2026

Treat yourself to a year of discovery!

An Oil Museum of Canada membership gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace with unlimited general admission and other special perks. For just $20 for an individual or $30 for a family, you'll receive:
💧Unlimited general admission to the Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site
💧Free entry to every Heritage Sarnia-Lambton museum when you show your membership card
💧Access to the 'Lambton Musings' newsletter
💧10% discount in the gift shop
💧Invitation to special events

Become a member today: https://loom.ly/2WYg9_w

08/29/2026

The Hard Oiler's are returning to their roots and finding themselves all over the museum grounds, in historic buildings and checking out their artifacts on display! Can you spot our friend?

Comment an oil drum emoji down below when you do🛢️

08/28/2026

We are just as puzzled as you about where the summer went.

Why not enjoy a puzzle you CAN solve!

Made in Ontario, Canada by TheOccurrence, our iconic oil can collection was used to create the image for this cool, colourful puzzle just for US at the Oil Museum of Canada.

Stop in during museum hours and pick up the missing piece to your summer fun.