UPCOMING EVENTS
Historic Pithole City - Living History Demonstration
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
Historic Pithole City will have a living history demonstration on Saturday, August 2nd, presented by volunteer Bill McClintock. Mr. McClintock will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. demonstrating bowl carving in the 19th century. The demonstration is included with admission to the site's Visitor Center. For more information on Historic Pithole City, including admission rates, visit https://www.drakewell.org/plan...
Drake Day: 1860s Living History
Sunday, August 10, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Celebrate the anniversary of Edwin L. Drake striking oil in Titusville on August 27, 1859! Attendees at this year’s event will experience what life was like during western Pennsylvania’s oil boom days through various living history activities and presentations. Demonstrations on some of the key trades in the Oil Region, including blacksmithing and coopering, will be presented along with wood carving, spinning and weaving, and more! Reenactors from the 150th P.V.I. Bucktails will portray Civil War soldiers who came to the Oil Region to strike it rich following the war, and there will also be a Civil War-era medical surgeon reenactment.
In addition, the museum will feature local author Cynthia Friend Crytzer presenting on her book, A Civil War Husband, which chronicles the experience of Civil War soldier Thomas D. Nelson, a farmer from Mercer County, through his personal letters. Crytzer's presentation will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Museum's multi-purpose room.
Regular Drake Well admission fees apply for the event: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 11, $8 for senior citizens. Members of Friends of Drake Well receive FREE admission. Admission includes entrance to Drake Well Museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as all Drake Day activities.
The Drake Well Marathon & Half
Sunday, August 17, 2025
7:00 a.m. Start
The ever-popular Drake Well Marathon & Half is back again for 2025! Participants will experience the beauty of historic Oil Creek and nearby Titusville as they run along shaded streets and creek banks. The community comes together for this event with amazing volunteers and friends to cheer along participants. All proceeds from the race benefit Friends of Drake Well, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization, which partners with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in the administration of Drake Well Museum and Park. Registration is still OPEN, click here to register and for more details!
41st Annual Fall Gas Up
Saturday, September 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Visit Drake Well Museum and Park for its 41st Annual Fall Gas Up, sponsored by the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and experience the engines and equipment that powered Pennsylvania’s oil fields! Displays will include operating and stationary antique engines, farm and oil field equipment, tractors, models, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, and $5 for children ages 3-11; members of Friends of Drake Well are FREE. Entrance into the Drake Well Museum and its outdoor exhibits is included with admission; the museum will be open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Any collector is welcome and encouraged to bring engines and equipment to display at the event! Engines ranging in size from small Maytags used to power washing machines to large oilfield engines that pumped multiple wells will be displayed by exhibitors from across the tri-state area. Members of the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society, based in Saegertown, Pennsylvania, will also feature engines, tractors, and related equipment. Exhibitor registration will take place the day of the event, no pre-registration is required.
4th Annual Oil Boom Historic Dinner
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Join us for an evening of delicious dishes made from authentic 19th century recipes! This year's dinner will once again showcase recipes from the residents of Titusville during its oil boom days. Some of those residents will be on hand at the dinner to talk about their recipes as well as what life was like in Titusville during the late 19th and early 20th centuries! This event benefits Friends of Drake Well, Inc., in its mission to support Drake Well Museum and Park.
The dinner will be catered by The Titusville Mill. The event will also feature beverages from Before the Barrel Distillery of Erie.
Tickets are $75 each and include dinner and one (1) complimentary beverage from Before the Barrel. Tickets can purchased online at HERE or by calling the Museum at (814) 827-2797 or emailing c-emilywea@pa.gov. Seating is limited, get your tickets today!
Historic Pithole City Lantern Tours
Saturday, October 4, 2025
6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Join us for the Historic Pithole City Lantern Tours and experience history as it comes to life! Visitors will walk the former streets of the legendary oil boomtown, meeting some of Pithole's most famous historical figures along the way. Tours depart every 10 minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the last tour departing at 9:30 p.m. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, wear weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a flashlight. NOTE: the tours cover steep hills and semi-rugged terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking. Tours are walking only; golf carts and other vehicles are not provided.
Tickets go on sale September 1, 2025 - check back for more information!