Oil Museum of Canada receives provincial award of excellence

Oil Springs, ON – The Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site is pleased to announce that they were presented the Award of Excellence in Exhibitions, by the Ontario Museum Association (OMA).

The OMA presents awards in several categories, all of which celebrate museums across the province that demonstrate outstanding contributions to the Ontario museum community with an emphasis on innovation, advancing the museum profession in Ontario, and encouraging high standards of excellence in the museum field. The Award of Excellence in Exhibitions focuses on new and innovative exhibitions. The winner is selected from a pool of nominations from Ontario museums of all sizes.

This award recognizes the Oil Museum of Canada’s recent renovation project that transformed exhibition space, improved accessibility, and replaced end of life equipment and building systems. While the project did not include changes to the footprint of the building, existing space was creatively used to incorporate the original architectural vision merging focused thematic exhibits indoors with still functioning original technology of working oil fields outdoors through floor to ceiling windows.

The project enhanced key areas to improve visitor’s comfort and experiences with interactive components including an interactive projection timeline, touch screen computers which further explore topics and include interactive games, an immersive projection room showcasing the impact local drillers had on the international oil industry, a virtual reality set that dives into an oil well and explores the geology behind the formation of oil pools, and a bubbling display showcasing the different viscosity of oils.

“Last year, the Museum was a recognized with the Award of Excellence in Programs.   To be recognized by the Ontario Museum Association for the second consecutive year is a tremendous honour,” says Erin Dee-Richard, Curator/Supervisor of the Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site. “It is a testament to the work of our staff and reflects their efforts to give patrons a truly immersive experience when visiting the Oil Museum.”

A video showcasing the project can be found on the Oil Museum of Canada’s YouTube page. The renewed exhibit space at the Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site can be experienced during operating hours on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 11:00 – 8:30 p.m.

To view a full list of Ontario Museum Association’s Awards of Excellence, visit the OMA website.

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Please contact:

Erin Dee-Richard
Curator/Supervisor, Oil Museum of Canada
County of Lambton
519-834-2840
Email Erin Dee-Richard