Archives and Library
The Petroleum Museum contains one of the most complete and comprehensive archival collections of the petroleum industry in the nation. Second only to the National Archives Center in Washington, D.C., the Archives & Library Center was established in 1967 to collect, preserve, and disseminate knowledge of the Permian Basin petroleum industry. Private papers, company records, manuscripts, sound recordings, scrapbooks, photographs, motion picture film and maps all recount life in the oil fields, boom towns and board rooms. The Petroleum Museum Archives & Library serves as a resource for journalists and authors internationally, as well as students of all ages.
The Center houses over 500 one-hour sound recordings with typed transcripts, motion picture film dating from 1926, maps and over 250,000 photographic prints pertinent to the Permian Basin petroleum industry. There are 160-canned aerial film of the entire Permian Basin, taken between 1943 and 1946.
The Archives Center also houses many photographs from the personal photo albums of President George W. Bush, generously donated by the First Lady’s mother, native Midlander, Jenna Welch.
The Center utilizes nearly 3,000 square feet to contain a reading research room, reference library, an art storage room, processing room, receiving conversation room, and offices.
Archives Reference Policy for Researchers (PDF file)
