BAKERSFIELD, CA.- The Kern County Museum is proud to present Black Gold: The Oil Experience, a permanent $4 million science, technology and history exhibition. More than six years in the making, this state-of-the-art, interactive exhibit opened to the public on November 23, 2002. A milestone in the Museum’s evolution, this world class oil exhibition was designed and fabricated by Museum Arts, Inc. of Dallas Texas, the leading creator of oil industry exhibitions.

The 9,640-square foot exhibition and surrounding 2.3 acres, presents a complete overview of how oil is created, different methods of discovery and extraction throughout history, and the changing role of industry workers and their families. This is a participatory exhibit, featuring a variety of learning environments for audiences of all ages. Highlights include a simulated travel under the sea in a diving bell to learn how oil is formed, an exploration into oil discovery, recovery and its transformation into many products we use today, and the many dangers of asphaltum mining straight from the mouth of an old-timer. With Kern County providing 64% of California’s oil production, oil production has been a crucial component of the local economy since 1895.