Oil Museum of Canada

06/15/2026

Be careful not to get too close to this kerosene heater or you might burn your nose!

Before gas-powered engines became widespread, one of the primary uses for crude oil was the production of kerosene. This versatile fuel was used for lighting, as well as for cooking and heating homes. It remained especially important in rural areas, where electrification arrived later.

Even after electricity became common, portable heaters like this one were still used to warm chilly rooms.

06/13/2026

Dig up more fun and discovery with an Oil Museum of Canada membership!

Membership opens doors to unique experiences and special perks. For just $20 for an individual or $30 for a family, you'll receive a one-year membership that includes:
💧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

06/11/2026

Our students at the museum are always discovering and learning new things from our collections. Here is something that Jesse found interesting:

when I learned...

that the story was often told about the driller of the first oil gusher in Canada may be false…

Before a study done in 2010 by Dana Thorne (now curator of the Lambton Heritage Museum), the consensus was that Hugh Nixon Shaw - an Irishmen connected with J. H. Fairbank – drilled the first oil gusher in Canada.

Johnson showed that the driller was more likely an American photographer named John Shaw, giving credit to a figure that, for a time, had remained mostly anonymous.

Before Hugh was revised to John in the historical record, the former's story had assumed the form of a veritable historical drama.

Being enriched and embellished over the years, Hugh's narrative took the form of a classic rags to riches tale: he came from humble beginnings and was brought to such dire straits before making his discovery that he was unable to get the credit to purchase shoes!

The story was that in spite of this, Hugh found eventual success, discovering the first gusher on his last day drilling before he planned to quit. Hugh received a small fortune once thought unattainable and achieved widespread renown among a community of oil drillers who once ridiculed his attempts.

Despite his success, Hugh would tragically fall from his state of prosperity to the lowest of lows. Mere days after being offered a large sum of money for one of his wells, he died from asphyxiation from noxious gasses inside the very same well. He died only a year after the discovery of the gusher and the community of Oil Springs greatly mourned his passing.

However, we now know that the above narrative is untrue, or at least it doesn't accurately characterize the driller of the first Canadian gusher.

This title more likely belongs to John Shaw. But what of his story? We know that he also came from humble beginnings and was nearly hopeless and without credit upon striking the first gusher. However, John Shaw did not see the eventual success that normally characterizes a rags-to-riches story and derived no permanent benefit from his discovery.

Additionally, John Shaw did not meet the same grand and tragic end as Hugh, but rather faded slowly into obscurity, passing away in 1871 (9 years after the first gusher).

While historians may rightly characterize John Shaw as the more probable driller of the first Canadian gusher, it is another question as to whether this new story will catch on as well as Hugh’s has.

Will it ever acquire the air of grandiosity that Hugh’s so often claims? I certainly find John Shaw's story as inspiring as Hugh's - if not more; however, I will leave this question up to any interested readers to speculate on in the comments!

06/09/2026

06/05/2026

Get ready for the return of Museums on Air!

On Saturday, June 20, the Lambton County Radio Club will be here using their short-wave radios to connect with other radio enthusiasts at museums around the world. In previous years, the group has reached museums as far away as Northern Ireland and Argentina.

Visit the Museum between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to see them in action!

06/04/2026

Contrary to popular belief, dinosaurs don't actually make oil - but we're still excited to welcome them to the family!

Thank you to Allison Richards for her generous donation of the Stones ‘N Bones Museum collection to the County of Lambton. This extraordinary collection will be preserved and shared with future generations as part of the County's Museums, Gallery & Archives family, with a new permanent home at LCLibrary.

Be sure to visit Stones 'N Bones Museum this summer for one last chance to experience the collection in its current home.

06/04/2026

Need or want to give some gas money?

Just leave our little 3D printed gas can out and see if the gas fairy delivers!

Printed locally by Rural 3D, the filament is made in Canada from cornstarch and polymers and is 100% biodegradable.

Pop into the gift shop Wednesday to Sunday during museum hours to pick up yours.

Money not included.

06/03/2026

the first synthetic plastic was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland.

He named this new material Bakelite after himself. It was the first of its kind modern plastic derived from petrochemicals. It was extremely popular because it was non-conductive, heat resistant, and it could be molded into any shape and hardened.

It was made from a chemical reaction between phenol and aldehyde which are made from hydrocarbons.

Bakelite was used for electrical insulators, radios, telephones, toys, and jewelry.

06/01/2026

A Persian ruler is having a dinner party. Want on the guest list? Bring a goat!

This silver goblet and accompanying napkin ring depict a story of what we can assume is a procession of offerings.

These pieces from Persia (modern-day Iran and Iraq) beautifully illustrate the Persian tradition of metalworking.

This memento was purchased by Harry Smith who worked in the region as an International Driller.

Learn more about Harry Smith here: https://loom.ly/hnPoGVw

05/29/2026

🚨This is not a drill!🚨

We all have bought a bag of milk, but did you know that at one time you could buy a bag of oil?

This one-quart plastic bag of Esso Uniflo 5W40 motor oil was packaged at the Sarnia Imperial Oil refinery. Oil was packaged in bags in the late 1970s and early 1980s to reduce waste compared to rigid plastic bottles or metal cans.