LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Pioneer
Oil Museum of New York, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
acknowledge certain institutions that improve the quality of life for
individuals and communities within this great Empire State through
historical and educational resources; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Pioneer Oil Museum of New York, Inc.;
and
WHEREAS, It is important that local communities protect and preserve
their history to share with current and future generations; the first
recorded discovery of oil in North America was made right in Allegany
County; in 1627, a French missionary was led to the oil spring by local
Senecas; the spring is located in what is now Cuba, New York; and
WHEREAS, By 1881, production had reached over six million barrels per
year in Allegany County and over one million barrels in Cattaraugus
County; oil production peaked in the 1940s with the production of over
four million barrels per year in Allegany County and close to two
million in Cattaraugus County; and
WHEREAS, The Pioneer Oil Museum of New York, Inc. was established in
1964 by the New York State Oil Producers Association (NYSOPA); the muse-
um's mission is to house in a readily available, central location, arti-
cles and information of historical value or interest pertaining to the
New York State Oil Industry; they also accumulate and display artifacts
related to the local petroleum industry; and
WHEREAS, The main organizers of the museum were Bill Hogan and
Clarence Schaffner; a building was purchased in Bolivar, New York, and
various improvements such as the addition of a vertical "board and
batten" siding to restore the late 1800s original look, and the instal-
lation of a large, colorful sign for the museum's front were completed
before opening it to the public; and
WHEREAS, The museum officially opened to the public during the Village
of Bolivar's Sesquicentennial in 1975, and became an instant hit with
the community; and
WHEREAS, Interest continued to grow when the Pioneer Oil Days were
held in the 1980s; during the annual celebration, numerous events took
place at the museum such as bit dressing demonstrations and access to a
working forge; and
WHEREAS, From the 1980s until 2000, the museum was kept running by Tom
Manning who managed staffing and maintenance; he left the area in 2000,
when the museum was placed in the hands of a newly formed Board of
Directors who have managed the museum ever since; and
WHEREAS, The Pioneer Oil Museum of New York, Inc. hosts many events
throughout the year which provide educational opportunities; the museum
also supports local history and statewide history through a wide range
of documents, photos, displays, and online tools; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
milestones in the histories of certain exceptional institutions in this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Pioneer Oil Museum of New York,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Pioneer Oil Museum of New York.