Penn Brad Oil Museum's Rig Replacement Fund

Penn Brad Oil Museum recently lost the iconic derrick that beckoned visitors and locals to this little "gem" just outside of Bradford, Pa. Now the volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors of the museum are determined to raise the funds necessary to replace this symbol of the early oil days and make other additions and improvements. We are asking for the public's support to achieve these goals.

Penn Brad Oil Museum is a repository for all things related to the history of the Bradford Oil field.  An oil derrick, typical of the standard rigs of the early days of drilling for oil in the Bradford field, has been the symbol for the museum since it was organized in 1971. A tornado destroyed that first derrick on June 2, 1998, but eventually, funds were raised and talent for rebuilding was found and a new derrick was erected. That rig, however, started showing signs of deteriorating in 2019, and the Board began considering the daunting task of once again rebuilding the structure. But this time they knew they would have to build a rig that would last for generations, not just a couple of decades.

Then in May, following a significant wind storm, it was discovered that this second derrick had moved from the foundation, and concerns were expressed for the safety of visitors to the museum and the possible damage to other museum buildings if it succumbed to the next wind storm.  A local contractor was hired and the rig was dismantled, section by section.  The top section was preserved, erected and a museum sign placed on the top (see picture above). Now the board's dilemma about possibly replacing a damaged derrick had been made and planning was ramped up.

Board members also realized that more indoor space was needed to display the voluminous collection of artifacts demonstrating the history of the field that the museum possesses. So an addition to the current museum building was added to the projects the museum needed to accomplish.

These projects will be expensive and the board will need the support of everyone who values the preservation of history and values that the Bradford Oil Field contributed to the economy and the people of this area in northern Pennsylvania and southern New York State. Board members are determined to see that this symbol of the Penn Brad Oil Museum is once again standing proud on the museum grounds and we are asking for your help to make that goal a reality.