Photographer: Kevin Stillman
The museum's variety of collections, exhibits and interpretation
of the oil industry make it an outstanding visitor site. Historical
highlights include thousand-year-old reed mats and woven fiber
articles from the area's prehistoric population; superb historical
paintings; cowboy tack and early railroad artifacts. Petroleum
exhibits include great historic photos of early boom-town
activities; fascinating well-drilling techniques in paintings,
models and hardware; 3-D models of oil strata; geological AV shows
and the story of oil formation; actual oil-well cores from deep
underground. Step back 230 million years and walk 30 feet "under
water" in a Permian-age sea. Stand amid a wrecked drilling rig and
experience a simulated wild well blowout. Experience transportation
history as you view the Jim Hall Chaparral race cars displayed in
the new transportation wing. Rarely seen by the public, these race
cars were instrumental in the development of technology still used
in racing today. Outside you can find a large collection of antique
oil drilling rigs and equipment as well. This museum also features
the largest collection in the nation of Tom Lovell works. At 1500
I-20 west, exit 136 in Midland. Admission fee.