Drake Well Brings Back Engine Start Up Day
- Editor
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Titusville, PA – Drake Well Museum and Park is pleased to announce the return of Engine Start Up Day, scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2025. On this day the Museum will officially “start its engines” for the regular season including the steam engine in the Drake Well replica and the 1896 Olin gas engine and Simplex power in the Central Power Exhibit, both located on the grounds of the Museum. All outdoor exhibits will be fully open for the season such as the Transportation Building and the Standard Drilling Rig exhibit.
“We are very excited to bring back this event,” says Drake Well Site Administrator Michael Knecht. “This was an event held every year prior to COVID-19, a day to celebrate the full opening of our site for the regular season.” Drake Well will have volunteer docents and staff on site throughout the day to interpret the Central Power Exhibit, Standard Drilling Rig, and the Drake Well replica.
The day will also feature a special presentation at 1:00 p.m. by W. Norm Shade on “The Bessemer Gas Engine Company - from Half-Breeds to Diesels.” The Bessemer Company began in 1899 in nearby Grove City, PA, as a manufacturer of half-breed engines that converted steam-powered oil pumper engines into gas engines that used the natural gas escaping from oil wells. Over a span of less than 30 years, Bessemer grew rapidly, becoming a leader in the production of horizontal natural gas engines for wellhead and industrial uses and becoming a U.S. pioneer in the development of large diesel engines. The presentation will cover Bessemer’s exciting 30-year history prior to its 1929 merger with the C.&G. Cooper Company to form the legendary Cooper-Bessemer Corporation. W. Norm Shade is Sr. Consultant and President-Emeritus of ACI Services Inc. and President of WiNS Consulting Services Inc. Prior to leading ACI, Shade spent 32 years with Cooper Bessemer Corporation and Cooper Cameron Corporation in design, development and executive management positions involving reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, reciprocating engines, and gas turbines.
The event will take place during regular museum hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the speaker presentation at 1 p.m. Regular admission fees apply, visit www.drakewell.org/events for admission rates and more information or call (814) 827-2797. Information can also be found on Facebook under Drake Well Museum and Park.
Located off Route 8 south of Titusville, Drake Well Museum and Park is open year-round. Hours of operation are currently Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., November 1st to March 31st, and Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning April 1st through October 31st. Drake Well Museum and Park is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with Friends of Drake Well, Inc., a non-profit community-based organization, and is part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History® www.PATrailsofHistory.com.
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