Welcome!

Visitors to the Petrolia Discovery experience a fascinating, one-of-a-kind glimpse into the early days of the world’s oil boom. From the first, hand-dug wells of the 1850s, to the great refineries and machine shops which abounded at the turn of the century, Petrolia’s Oil Heritage runs old and deep as the wells themselves. Guests not only take in historical displays and get a chance to see an authentic 1860s oil field in action.

About us

In an age when few people traveled beyond the borders of their own home town, the pioneer oil men of Lambton County went out from the wilderness of Southwestern Ontario to discover most of the major oil fields of the world. They were on the Gobi, and in the Arctic, in Iran when it was still Persia, Indonesia, Australia, Russia… 87 countries in all. In the 1920s, Hard Oilers brought home Alberta tar sands to pave the main street of Petrolia. 

Petrolia Discovery is a centre to learn, experience and enjoy the stories of Canadian ingenuity, talent and the pioneering spirit of Lambton County and its people – Canadians who influenced the global industry of Black Gold!

• June – Saturdays and Sundays 10am -4pm
• July and August – Thursday to Sunday 10am-4pm
• Other times by appointment
• Group Tours can be arranged. Please contact us.