The museum commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the Digboi oil discovery, which occurred in 1901 for the refinery and 1889 for the well.
Digboi is known as the 'Oil City of Assam' and contains the world's oldest operating oil refinery.
The museum grounds contain a steam locomotive engine formerly used for transporting oil and workers during the early 20th century.
The display includes the 'Kismet' oil well, which is significant for its role in the early developmental phase of the Digboi field.
The museum layout integrates open-air machinery displays with climate-controlled indoor archival rooms.
The Digboi Centenary Museum commemorates the birthplace of the Indian oil industry, marking the site where the first oil well was drilled in 1889. It is managed by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and preserves the technological legacy of the Assam Oil Company. The museum houses an outdoor exhibit featuring early drilling machinery, steam locomotives, and vintage oil refinery equipment. Visitors can view the historic Oil Well No. 1, which remains preserved under a protective canopy. The indoor galleries display artifacts, photographs, and records detailing the colonial-era history of oil exploration in the Brahmaputra Valley. The site serves as an educational repository for engineering history and industrial heritage in Northeast India.
Beside the historic Oil Well No. 1, which features a prominent heritage plaque.
Visit during the cooler winter months to enjoy the outdoor machinery displays comfortably.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Digboi War Cemetery for a comprehensive historical tour of the area.
Check with the local IOCL gate security for any specific visitor entry requirements before arriving.
Do not attempt to enter restricted refinery zones beyond the museum perimeter; the facility is an active industrial site.
Closed on Mondays and national public holidays.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor; do not touch the preserved metal machinery as many exhibits are fragile or corroded.
