Tours of the Oil Region

Oil City History Tour

Oil City, Pennsylvania
This historic tour starts off in the VENANGO MUSEUM OF ART, SCIENCE & INDUSTRY. Here you will find artifacts related to Oil City and Venango County. Hear a working theater organ from the Latonia Theatre, stories of J. D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company, and discover the many uses of a barrel of oil. Find out how petroleum products enable people to live longer, healthier lives, then and now. The NATIONAL TRANSIT BUILDING, Oil City’s moniker for decades, was “the Hub of Oildum”. Built in 1890 it was the first structure in the world to house companies specializing in the transportation of oil. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Housed in the National Transit Building, is the National Transit Studio’s with 20+ artists, and the TRANSIT FINE ART GALLERY that features and sells the artist’s works including paintings, jewelry, cards and glassware.  Then it’s off to the ANTIQUE WAREHOUSE MALL is where you will find over 200 consigned antique dealers from all over the area. Items such as furniture, jewelry, linens, glassware, and so much more are all housed in this unique venue.

Back in Time

Start your day with a visit to the Drake Well Museum, the place where the modern petroleum industry was born in 1859. The museum’s exhibits include a working replica of the first oil well.

Next, you will board the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad for a trip through Oil Creek State Park. Hear stories of the oil excitement and admire the view from the open gondola car while enjoying a boxed lunch on this vintage train. Be sure to bring your address book so you can mail post cards from the only operating Railway Post Office (RPO) car in the United States.

Next stop will be Tyred Wheels Museum, a family owned collection that has been amassed over 50 years. Here you will see over 25 antique cars and airplanes and over 5,000 miniatures.

Then you will learn about Venango County’s fascinating history at the Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry. The “Black Gold or Black Magic” display teaches you how oil affects us still today. Enjoy lunch and dinner in one of the many great dining facilities in the area.

Stay overnight at one of our many great hotels and tomorrow continue exploring “the valley that changed the world.”

A Victorian City Tour

Franklin, Pennsylvania

Your journey begins with an exciting tour of DeBence Antique Music World. You won’t be able to stop your toes from tapping to music of the Gay Nineties and the Roaring Twenties, played on antique calliopes, nickelodeons and other automated music machines. You will marvel over this extraordinary collection of over 100 antique mechanical musical instruments. The basement of this facility is filled to the brim with a display of Hammond organs.

Next, enjoy shopping and lunch. Franklin’s Liberty Street is lined with wonderful and unique stores offering antiques, gifts, toys, artwork and much more. Shop till you drop and then enjoy lunch at one of several great eateries.

After lunch get a rare, close-up glimpse at an outstanding collection of Tiffany Windows at St. John’s Episcopal Church. You will hear stories about each panel; learn about the restoration of the windows, about Tiffany himself and the history of St. John’s Church.

Your last stop will be at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Enjoy a musical or comedy, a concert, ballet or one of the many wonderful performances that take place in the theatre.

And more ~

Group Tours
The Oil Region is a great place to bring your group. All of our major attractions can accommodate large or small groups and there are many fine restaurants and hotels ready to serve your needs. Contact the Oil Region Alliance for assistance in planning your next group tour.

Music Tour
Marvel at Tiffany Windows in St. John’s Church.
Step back in time at DeBence Antique Music World.
Spend an evening being entertained at the Barrow-Civic Theatre or an outdoor concert in Franklin’s bandstand park.

Oil Region Tour
Visit Drake Well Museum, where you will learn of the first commercially successful Oil Well and of the many boomtowns that sprang up overnight and then disappeared overnight. Next your tour will take you to the Pithole ghost town visitor center, one of the vanished boomtowns in the area. Then it is on to the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad where you will listen to a tour guide as you journey “through the valley that changed the world.” Enjoy lunch and dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in the area.