Titusville OIL 150-A year of celebration!

A distinct day in history-August 27, 1859.  Colonel Edwin L. Drake drilled the first successful oil well and did "change the world forever."  The Titusville OIL 150 Committee has been meeting for the past several months, working on plans for Titusville OIL 150 to be celebrated over the next 16 months. 

Special events are planned for each month.  These events are listed in the Titusville OIL 150 calendars, "Yesteryear In Titusville", available for purchase at the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, The Gift Box, Drake Well Museum, Perry Street Station or from Dave Zaritski (827-1732).  These Calendars are designed using photos of Titusville from years gone by from the files at Drake Well Museum. 

Titusville OIL 150 pins, featuring an image of Drake Well, are also available at the same places.  The pin was designed locally by Dave and Sue Zaritski.  These items are part of the fundraising efforts to offset the costs associated with the many events being planned.  Subcommittees have been formed to work out the details of each event - an enormous task.  Information will appear in this column in The Herald regularly as we move through these exciting 16 months.  Titusville OIL 150 extends an invitation to all families in the tri-county area and beyond to participate in these very special events in this very special year.

Oil Celebration 150

Written by Dr. Richard B. Meader

In the middle of the 19^th century, deep in the forests and farms of Northwestern Pennsylvania, one determined and resourceful man changed the world with a single major event. For centuries, people had known that oil was present in the area, but nobody had found a way to harvest it. In the early 1850’s, renewed interest in oil retrieval caused fresh approaches to be considered, including drilling into the ground in a manner similar to the way salt water was harvested.

By 1855, a group of businessmen in New York formed the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company of Connecticut. Two years later, in 1857, Col. Edwin L. Drake was hired to manage the project. Drake in turn hired William A. “Uncle Billy” Smith to oversee the actual drilling. The now famous wooden engine house and derrick were erected, and drilling began in early August, 1859. On Saturday, August 27, 1859, as the drillers were preparing to quit for the day, the drill hit a crevice at 69  feet and, as the steam engine was shut down, dropped another six inches.

The next day, on Sunday afternoon, “Uncle Billy” Smith went to the well site to check on everything, and, looking down inside the 4 inch stand pipe, saw oil floating on top of the water. Col. Drake had struck oil at 69 ½ feet! The Oil Creek Valley had suddenly become “The Valley That Changed The World.”

Titusville Oil 150 meeting minutes - December 2, 2008

The meeting was held at St. James church parish hall at 5:15 pm. 

Lynn Gagnon reported that an executive committee has been formed consisting of Barb Ives, Terri Wig, Lynn Gagnon, Jerry Schill, Leah Carter, a member of finance committee and a member of the logistics committee.  This committee will be meeting between the monthly meetings and will act as liaison between committees and the steering committee.

Committee reports:

Events:

Pens - Kelly DeLong gave a report about the wooden pens that we're having made.  The cost is now $13 - $15 each.  She suggested that we give something to the person making the pens.  They will be boxed and ready to go for Christmas.  They will be at the Chamber and will sell for $30.00.  The purchaser will have the choice of style to choose from, thin, thicker and two piece.

Kidz Zone - Karen Jez reported that Fred Smith and the TEA are working on educational pieces for this.  She mentioned the Science and Motion experience.  Lynn and Terri will work on the blow up games and will work with Arts Council on Stage II entertainment.

Art Project - this is a three-part mosaic mural that will be created in the elementary schools.  Deb Amsler is chairing this event and will be working with Barb Zolli on it.

Sat. concert - Karen also reported that the Jimmy Buffet cover band concert could be held at Carter Field.  If we can get agreement with the Fire Chief and city, the school would agree to let us put the fireworks show on at Carter Field.  The other possibility she mentioned was the Heisman field at the middle school.  Ann Knepp was agreeable to the idea of having it at either place.  It would be better for traffic control and we would be able to use the Myer complex for vendor camping.

Food in the Park - Paul Wilson is chairing this event.  He said he has added some committee members to his group and they'll let us know when they are meeting.  Jaime Beechey offered her diagrams of the park for their use.  They haven't come up with a name for the event yet.

 Cruise-In -  They are working on their budget - it won't be large - they are just looking at some posters for advertisement and decals for the cars. 

Chalk walk - Jody has talked with the chair of the chalk walk in Erie, PA and sees some problems we hadn't planned on.  She was told to expect about $5000 in start up money.   Erie pays their artists.  She will be meeting with events chairs to see how we can adapt this for our celebration.

Artist's Colony -  This event is being moved to the YWCA administration building.  More on this event in January.

Arts & Crafts - Applications are going out in January - they would like to fill 140 spaces which would cover 2 city blocks.

Marathon - there are plans for a whole and half marathon that will become an annual event.  This will be held on Sat. Aug. 9th and will go through part of the city, the bike trail and part of Oil Creek State Park.  The plan is to have this race be a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.  They hope to draw about 1000 participants.  It would start around 7am and would finish up around 1pm.

French Kate night - winter theater and hopefully summer theatre group will be working on this in conjunction with the Follies.  This will be a French Kate saloon wedding affair at Porter's.  The date is March 28^th and this will be a fund raiser for Oil 150.

Parade - Sharon has talked to Joe about the staging area.  As of yet we don't have a grand marshal.

Publicity -  David Weber reported that he is working with the Historical Society on several stories that could be published in book form or could be published in the Herald.  He also reported that he is almost done with the articles for the souvenir booklet for the Oil 150 celebration.  Margaret Fiely reported that there is an article in Where & When's winter edition mentioning Holiday at Burgess.  She said ORA has published a brochure with a calendar of events from now through July.  There will be another brochure coming in July that will cover all events through the celebration.  There is a rack card that is out now highlighting some events of the celebration.  Articles continue in the Herald every week. 

ORA - Will passed out their calendar of events brochures and rack cards.  He talked about distribution and budgets of cards, brochures, etc.  Mid March is the absolute latest deadline for information for the events.  Everything has to be firmed up by then.

History/Education - no report

Accommodations - Judy Shields sent report in with Lynn Gagnon.  They are in need of more homes and/or rooms that will be available for the celebration.  She particularly noted that Jim Broadhurst and his family are looking for a home to rent. 

Merchandise - Sue Zartiski reported that they had set up at two locations - the breakfast for VFW and Santa's Workshop.  They took in $800 at Santa's Workshop and have deposited $1600 since last month.  They had calendars, pins, pens and other items available for Christmas.  They are concerned that merchandise is moving slowly.  Committee members are urged to purchase and promote merchandise for the Oil 150.

Finance - Dave Gagnon reported that the meeting for the fund raising breakfast has been changed to January 13^th at 8:30 am.  The breakfast is by invitation only.  etters will be going out with pledge cards attached with different giving levels and different payment plans.  He will be meeting with Will Wingo at the ORA to discuss a banner program.  They will be issuing stock certificates for $5.00 each.  Hopefully these will be available before Christmas.  He also reported that Larry got another $4000 from National City Bank.

Logistics - Joe Carter reported that he has given Barb Ives tentative maps for street closings and by pass routes.  He and Jamie are going to meet and map out special events.  There was discussion regarding buses - Leah said CATA needs at least 6 month notice.  Joe said the downtown area will be open only to foot traffic for the weekend.  Leah mentioned bike rentals.  They will look into that.

New business:

Lynn said they were going to look into portable "derrick" kiosks that could be used for information throughout the celebration.  Joe said TRA is already working on something like this. 

Ann Knepp said we should push the good side of this celebration, such as whales would be extinct without oil, and other positive environmental things.

The next meeting will be January 27^th at St. James at 5:15 pm.  The executive committee will be meeting December 18^th at 11:00am at the Garage.

Please mark your calendars for August 28th, 29th & 30th of 2009 to join us in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first commercial oil well right here in Titusville PA!

This national and historic event is expecting 15,000-20,000 visitors to our region and we need your help to provide goods and services to the masses! The exposure for you will be unprecedented as the world tunes in to celebrate Colonel Edwin Drakes' prolific drilling of oil.

Don't miss this once in  a lifetime opportunity!

Highlights Include:

• 2-3 Days of vendors
• Kids Zone
• Taste of Titusville
• Brew Fest
• Cruise in
• Drake Well Extravaganza
• Oil 150 Auction
• Mega Parade

Contact Titusville Leisure Services For more info:

Phone: 814-827-3741
Fax: 814-827-6211 

Every first Saturday of the month, a Public Farmer’s Breakfast Buffet at the Titusville VFW Post 5958 from 7 until 10 a.m.

• $6 at the door
• children under 12 $3.

Benefits the Viet Nam Moving Wall Project for September 2 – 7, 2009 at Carter Field.