Friends of Drake Well, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization, actively supports the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) in the administration of Drake Well Museum and Park, ensuring it continues to grow and succeed in its educational mission. Friends of Drake Well also supports the PHMC in its administration of Historic Pithole City and McClintock Well #1, both associated sites of Drake Well Museum. Originally incorporated as One 25, Inc., on October 24, 1983, the organization was initially formed to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Drake Well. It changed names to The Colonel, Inc., in 1991 and began its mission of supporting Drake Well Museum. A final name change occurred in 2005 when the organization became known as Friends of Drake Well, Inc., the name it retains to this day.
Join a highly dedicated group of people who support Drake Well Museum's efforts to:
- serve more than 35,000 visitors each year
- expand indoor and outdoor exhibits
- develop dynamic, high-quality educational programs
- preserve and interpret unique, one-of-a-kind artifacts that help in telling the story of Drake Well, including early oil field equipment
- publish new research on Pennsylvania's petroleum history
- provide internship opportunities for college students pursuing careers in public history
Members of Friends of Drake Well enjoy many special privileges and benefits, along with the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to preserve and share our rich heritage!
Choose a membership level that works for you - explore the different membership opportunities below:
Individual Membership, $40
Grandparent Membership, $45 - for grandparents and their grandchildren (ages 3-18)
Family Membership, $50
Corporate A Membership, $150 - for non-profits and businesses with under 50 employees
Corporate B Membership, $250 - for businesses with 50 or more employees
All memberships are annual and include FREE admission to Drake Well Museum and Park as well as the Historic Pithole City Visitor Center, free or discounted admission to special events (some restrictions apply), 10% discount at the Museum Store, and subscription to the members-only Barker Newsletter as well as the award-winning OilField Journal, an academic publication focused on early petroleum industry history. Corporate memberships also include discounted use of the Multi-Purpose Room at Drake Well Museum or 1 free picnic pavilion rental.
For more information on membership and questions, please contact Emily Weaver, executive director of Friends of Drake Well, Inc., at (814) 827-2797 or email ra-phdrakewell@pa.gov.