An area filled with illustrious Pennsylvania and American history, Seneca is one of Pennsylvania’s many historically significant towns. It gave birth to the oil and petroleum industry way back in the 1800s and continues to be known for its oil production even to this day. If you find yourself traveling through the Seneca area looking for something to do, this list of the five best places to visit should kickstart some ideas.
Once you’re done reading this list, pack up the car and get the family ready for an amazing adventure through historical northwestern Pennsylvania. While you’re in the Seneca area, don’t forget to pay a visit to Northpointe Chevrolet located in Seneca. Northpointe Chevrolet is Seneca’s favorite Chevrolet dealership as they offer the area’s biggest selection and best prices on new Chevrolet vehicles. If you don’t want to overpay for your next Chevrolet vehicle, you’ll want to visit Northpointe Chevrolet today!
Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry
An absolute must-see when visiting the Seneca area, The Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry houses a collection of exhibits and artifacts relevant to the interests of Venango County residents and visitors. The Museum resides in an old Beaux-Arts-styled building that was once a Post Office that was built in 1906, giving it an old-school charm and uniqueness.
Inside, visitors will find a variety of exhibits and artifacts, including their main exhibit “Oil: Black Gold or Black Magic?”. With oil being such a pivotal part of Venango Counties’ history, it is no surprise that the local museum has an entire exhibit dedicated to oil. The latest addition to the museum is a Penzoil Oil Company exhibit that details the history of Penzoil in Venango County.
The Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry is open to all ages, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Both public and private tour options are available, for private tours you must call ahead or email Vennagomuseum@gmail.com. For more information on hours of operation and available exhibits, visit the Museum website or call 814-676-2007.
DeBence Antique Music World Museum
A perfect destination for music lovers, the DeBence Antique Music World Museum is one of the more unique attractions in the Seneca area. Started in 1940 by Jake & Elizabeth DeBence, the Museum houses over 200 antique mechanical musical instruments. The collection of musical instruments was originally a personal collection started by Mr. DeBence, but in 1965 he decided the world needed to see all he had.
Retiring in 1965, Mr. DeBence then moved his collection of mechanical musical devices to a barn in Franklin, shortly after he opened it to the public — the rest they say, is history. This privately operated museum quickly became a staple of the city of Franklin, as the town’s citizens realized just how unique this collection was.
Following Mr. DeBence’s death in 1992, the collection was put up for sale by his wife, Elizabeth. However, after many offers for millions of dollars, Elizabeth decided that Mr. DeBence would have wanted the collection to stay intact and rejected all offers. Shortly after this decision, Elizabeth helped local residents and the Chamber of Commerce form a non-profit organization to care for the museum after she passed away.
The collection is incredibly unique, with many of the items being one-offs or the final remaining item of its kind. With such a collection, it’s no wonder the DeBence Antique Music World Museum is one of Seneca’s biggest attractions.
This is one stop you won’t want to miss when visiting Seneca! For more information on the DeBence Museum, its collection or operating hours, visit their website or call 814-432-8350.
Outdoor Allegheny River Services
Are you looking for a weekend thrill for the whole family? If so, then you’ll want to check out the Outdoor Allegheny River Service located in Franklin. Outdoor Allegheny River Services is a company that offers river tours as well as canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals. Known as OARS to locals, the company makes a day out on the Allegheny River an unforgettable memory.
OARS was established in 2008 and has put over 12,0000 people from 17 different countries on the water in the Allegheny River. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or a complete rookie, OARS will make sure you have the time of your life out on the water.
You can schedule your trip in advance or take a look at OARS website and social media for upcoming events. OARS even offers full overnight trips if you’re looking for a true adventure on the Allegheny River or nearby French Creek. Need more information on the services offered by OARS? You can find everything you need to know about OARS on their website or by calling 814-388-9122.
Drake Well Museum and Park
The site that sparked America’s first oil boom, the Drake Well in Cherrytree Township is a must-see historical landmark if you’re visiting Seneca. It was first drilled by Edwin Drake in 1859, making it the first commercial oil well in the entire United States. Many other wells throughout the world tried to claim to be the first — like the one in Oil Springs, Ontario — however, none of them were purpose-built to drill for oil.
While this was an important feat, historians say that the true achievement of the Drake Well was how it kickstarted the first set of investments into the oil refining and drilling industry. The Drake Well was capable of producing between 12 to 20 barrels of oil per day, but unfortunately, that meant it was never profitable after the oil boom. In 1861, just two short years after it was drilled, the Drake Well stopped production and was eventually sold by the Seneca Oil Company in 1864.
Although the Drake Well’s production run met an early demise, it still inspired an entire industry revolving around oil that is still in operation today. Without Edwin Drake and his perseverance to continue drilling, the oil industry very well may have never taken off.
You can visit the Drake Well Museum at 202 Museum Lane, Titusville, PA 16354. The museum sits on 22 acres of land surrounding the original well and is open to the public throughout the year. For more information on tours, visiting hours and anything else Drake Well — visit the museum website!
Pithole Ghost Town
If you tend to like more obscure attractions, the Pithole Ghost Town is the attraction for you! Originally an oil boomtown founded in 1865, Pithole had an incredibly rapid rise in popularity and an even faster decline. Pithole existed for only two short years, officially being unincorporated in 1877 due to the decline of economic growth and oil production.
As the economy in Pithole began to decline, investors and speculators began to abandon Pithole. In February of 1877, a fire raged down Holmden Street in Pithole, completely destroying the street as well as parts of Brown and Second Streets. With the town reduced to ashes, many of its inhabitants decided to move on.
In 1957, what remained of Pithole was purchased by James B. Stevenson, the publisher of the local Titusville Herald. Stevenson decided to clean up the ghost town, having it cleared of all overgrowth and debris, eventually donating the land in 1971 to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. You can tour Pithole, but many of the buildings have been reduced to foundations marking their existence.
Craving an adventure through a historical ghost town? Then you need to visit Pithole Ghost Town, which is located only six miles from the Drake Well Museum we mentioned earlier. Looking for more information on Pithole? You can find out more by visiting the Pithole Visitor Center on 14118 Pithole Road in Pleasantville.
Explore Seneca!
Equipped with this list of the five best places to visit in the Seneca area, it’s time for you to get out and explore. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend or a thrilling adventure, you can’t go wrong with any of the places on this list. From touring the Pithole Ghost Town to traversing the Allegheny River, if you’re looking for a good time in Northwestern Pennsylvania, the Seneca area has plenty to offer.
While you’re here in Seneca, don’t forget to stop by Northpointe Chevrolet. At Northpointe Chevrolet you’ll find Seneca’s largest selection of new and used Chevrolet vehicles, including the exciting Bolt EV. If you want the best price on your next vehicle, there’s only one place to go — Northpointe Chevrolet located in Seneca. Stop by and test drive the Bolt EV today!
Connect with us
