Pumping Jack Museum Announces New Partnership and Reopening Plans
- Editor
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
The Pumping Jack Historical Association and Museum in Emlenton is preparing for a new chapter. Following meetings last year between the Pumping Jack board, including Joyce Beikert, Joanne Long, Cathy Powell and Bruce Donaldson, and the Venango County Historical Society (VCHS), the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism (ORA), and the Borough of Emlenton, a plan has been established to transfer ownership of the collection to the VCHS. This transition ensures the historic artifacts are preserved and better utilized for the community.
The multi-stage redevelopment plan is already underway. Since December, the VCHS has been cataloging items that were in long-term storage. Eric W. Cook, their executive director reported that in two to three weeks’ time, the VCHS staff and volunteers will begin cataloging and cleaning the museum room on the first floor of the Crawford Center. While a full redesign of the visitor center and museum space is planned for 2027, the museum intends to reopen in its current configuration for limited hours during late summer and fall 2026.
Under the leadership of ORA Heritage Program Manager Abigail Watson-Popescu, utilizing funding from the National Park Service, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Venango County Hotel Tax, museum consultants will soon propose designs to modernize the displays and tie it into a facelift of the entire visitors center. The goal is to create a secure, accessible environment that allows the public to enjoy the Pumping Jack collection whenever the Crawford Center is open. Work should commence this fall or winter in time to reopen for late spring or summer 2027.
In addition to the local efforts in Emlenton, the VCHS is currently hosting a temporary Emlenton history exhibition at their museum in Franklin through November 1, 2026. They are located at 307 S. Park Street in the Egbert-Mullins-Koos House Museum. The historical society will also host research days, special programming, and a community photo scanning day starting this fall in the Crawford Center.
Get Involved:
- Volunteers: The VCHS is seeking local Emlenton volunteers to assist with cataloging unidentified items and photos and helping with upcoming local programs. Visit the VCHS Facebook page and website and look for updates here in the Progress News.
- Memberships: Former Pumping Jack members are entitled to a complimentary one-year membership transfer to the VCHS. If you were once a member and wish to support local history, you just need to contact the VCHS and you will enjoy complimentary membership until the end of 2027.
- Contact: To transfer a membership or volunteer, or for any Emlenton related history or family research questions, please contact the VCHS at 814-432-8260 or vchistory2019@gmail.com.
