The Petrolia Discovery is asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible for recent vandalism at the volunteer-run working oil field and heritage site.
The Petrolia Discovery is asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible for recent vandalism at the volunteer-run working oil field and heritage site.
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The foundation that runs the Discovery said in a statement “minor acts of vandalism” during the past month had intensified, “culminating with a significant incident” Friday, Nov. 22.
Damage estimated at $500 was caused when “four unknown suspects” entered the Discovery site at about 8:30 pm, Lambton OPP said in a news release.
“It’s just senseless,” said Liz Welsh, chairperson of the foundation’s board.
The first few times the site was entered this month “it just seemed mischievous and kids doing what kids shouldn’t do,” she said.
“But this past time, they were really quite malicious,” Welsh said. “They broke a lot of windows, smashed a lot of locks off doors with a sledgehammer, discharged three of our brand-new fire extinguishers and took some artifacts out of some buildings.”
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Some of the artifacts were damaged, Welsh said. “They don’t have a monetary value, but they have value to the site.”
Police said surveillance video is being reviewed in an attempt to identify suspects.
Welsh said the foundation has a “primitive camera system” at the site but “there hasn’t really been a need, honestly” before now. Video from the incident has been posted on the foundation’s Facebook page.
“People are generally respectful of the history here and they know the hard work we’ve put into it the last number of years,” Welsh said.
Recently, volunteers have been restoring a drilling exhibit known as the Canadian rig and previously the site’s Fitzgerald rig was restored. Petrolia became a center for oil production in the late 1800s, following its discovery at nearby Oil Springs.
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“If anything, most people just want to help” and vandalism hadn’t been a significant issue in recent years, Welsh said. “It’s very disheartening.”
This is the time of year when volunteers typically have the site ready for winter, but they’ve had to spend more time in recent days repairing windows and cleaning up damage, she said.
The Petrolia Discovery offers tours of the oil fields and buildings during warmer months and also hosts events, such as the Halloween season’s Fiery Faces display.
In a statement issued by the town, Mayor Brad Loosley said, “The reports of vandalism and mischievous behavior are most disappointing and an affront to what the residents of Petrolia feel about the importance of preserving our heritage.”
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Loosley, the foundation and police have asked anyone with information about the damage to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.
“I hope they’re caught,” Walsh said. “It’s just mean and malicious.”
Welsh said the foundation board is grateful for support and offers of help it has received following the recent damage.
The site is expected to open for Christmas tours on Dec. 28 and 29, noon at 4 pm both days, Welsh said.
“They were very popular last year,” she said. “We won’t have all the buildings open. It will be sort of our scaled-down winter tour.”
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