Museums and Archives - Museum or Archive Details

In 1985 the Oil Sands Interpretive Centre opened in Fort McMurray, providing visitors and residents with a rare glimpse into the development of the Athabasca Oil Sands, the world's largest single deposit of oil sands. The explorer Alexander Mackenzie described the sands in 1790 as bituminous . In 1967 Great Canadian Oil Sands began as the first commercially successful operation in the oil sands industry, followed by Syncrude Canada Ltd. in 1978.

The face of northeastern Alberta was dramatically altered by vast open pit mines, worked with draglines and bucketwheel reclaimers, each longer than a football field. Fort McMurray's population exploded from 1,200 in 1964 to over 35,000 in 1979. With world oil prices soaring, "McMurray" was the centre of the oil economy that elevated Alberta to a position as Canada's richest province per capita.

At the centre, exhibits illustrate the geology, human history, technology, and upcoming expansion in oil sands development. Behind the centre is a display of industrial equipment, including a six-storey bucketwheel excavator. Traveling exhibits and special events are featured regularly.

Open Mid May-Labour Day: daily 10-6. Rest of the year: 10-4 daily except Monday. Admission is charged. Giftshop. Wheelchair accessible. 515 MacKenzie Boulevard at the corner of Hwy 63, Fort McMurray. . Within Alberta, dial to be connected toll free.