On Friday, Jan. 30, the Oil Museum of Canada will host "Illumination," a PA Day event focused on the history and science of light. The program highlights the transformative role of kerosene, one of the first products refined from local crude oil. Long before the glow of modern electronics, kerosene lit homes and streets, effectively sparking […]
On Friday, Jan. 30, the Oil Museum of Canada will host "Illumination," a PA Day event focused on the history and science of light.
The program highlights the transformative role of kerosene, one of the first products refined from local crude oil. Long before the glow of modern electronics, kerosene lit homes and streets, effectively sparking the petroleum industry in Oil Springs and Petrolia.
Visitors can participate in several creative activities designed to demonstrate historical lighting methods:
Hand-pouring paraffin wax candles.
Creating shadow puppets to play in the lamplight.
Designing stained glass-style paper lanterns.
Christina Sydorko, Educational Program Coordinator for the museum, noted that while light is often taken for granted today, its story is rooted in local ingenuity. "Kerosene played a pivotal role in our local oil industry," Sydorko said.
The event serves as a reminder of the global impact of Sarnia-Lambton’s resources. The Oil Museum of Canada stands on the site of North America’s first commercial oil well, dug by James Miller Williams in 1858.
By focusing on kerosene, the museum points to the shift from whale oil and tallow to petroleum-based fuels – a systemic change that began in the "Enniskillen swamp." This local history is not just about oil; it is about how Sarnia-Lambton pioneers fundamentally changed how the world lived after sunset.
The drop-in event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and $3 for children. Children aged three and under are admitted free of charge. The museum is located at 2423 Kelly Road, Oil Springs, ON.
For more information, visit the museum website.
