In Midland, Texas, the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum preserves the geology, technology, business, and culture of the oil and gas industry that shaped west Texas and southeast New Mexico. Founded in 1968 under George T. Abell and opened in 1975, it links the basin’s petroleum history to the ancient Permian Sea and the rock layers beneath the region, then follows seismic surveying, drilling, and corporate growth through the decades. Its broad collections include oil-field machinery, archives, a recreated 1920s town center, minerals, art, Chaparral race cars, and a Petroleum Hall of Fame honoring the people who built the basin’s industry.