Propane’s Night at the Museum

On September 10, 2016, some 120 propane industry members gathered at the National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH) in Bethlehem, Pa. to celebrate the newly-opened propane exhibit housed at the site that was formerly part of the Bethlehem Steel facility. The mill area, now in disrepair, has an 18,000-sq-ft structure that stands out from the rest—a completely renovated and repurposed modern building that features four galleries dedicated to the preservation of artifacts of the industries that have made America strong. Each gallery is devoted to either the propane, iron and steel, machinery, or silk industry, and more than 200 artifacts are on display that provide a wealth of information for current and future generations, who can observe the rich history of American industry.

Reinforcing that, Glenn Koehler, NMIH marketing and outreach coordinator, said, “The National Museum of Industrial History is honored to help preserve and showcase the LP-gas industry’s important contributions to the story of American energy. Walter O. Snelling’s ingenuity helped spawn a new business, and his story will help inspire new generations of inventors and entrepreneurs.”

It took a number of years for the museum to come to fruition. A dream of Eastern Propane’s Bob Nicholson, Northeastern Supply’s Fred Thomas, and other members of the Ancient Gassers, the project was spearheaded by Nicholson, who went to a Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) meeting some 15 years ago to request funding. He was very persuasive (so much so that PERC had to change its rules for public speakers), and soon after, Nicholson; PERC’s Roy Willis; and PERC public member Charles Snelling, Walter O. Snelling’s son, were touring the rundown building that, after many stops and starts, would be revitalized to become today’s museum showpiece.

In preparation of the potential museum, Brittany Penta of Phelps Sungas worked hundreds of hours with Charles Snelling, archiving and cataloguing his father’s innumerable propane artifacts, many of which are now on display. Her father, Roland Penta, also of Phelps Sungas, was also involved in the archiving process. Regarding the museum’s completion, he told BPN, “I am so pleased to have a permanent display where historically significant artifacts and documents can be displayed and saved. This gives our industry an opportunity to highlight what propane has done and can do for our economy and our standard of living.”

The center of the new propane exhibit showcases the industry from its beginning in 1912, with documents and equipment used by Walter O. Snelling, considered the “father of propane;” replicas of the refining process; and likely the most popular, a museum-sized replica of a hot air balloon. Upon entering its gondola, a visitor is transported on a virtual balloon ride with scenes of propane in its many uses as well as the plants and refineries of its origination. Roland Penta added, “The simulated balloon ride draws all ages where they can learn about propane. I think we need to work with the museum to keep the exhibit fresh, relevant, and interesting to young and old alike.”

Shelby Bell, head of the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association (PAPGA), commented, “Not only is the mock hot air balloon the interactive favorite with museum visitors, it’s also my favorite, along with the ‘new propane slogan’ suggestion box. These activities meet the museum’s mission of highlighting the past while inspiring the future.”

Jim Renaldo, president of the International Association of Young Gassers, which helped in the development of the propane gallery, welcomed the crowd. He told attendees that the museum expects 50,000 visitors annually, giving the propane industry a great opportunity to tell its story.

Many of the museum’s longtime supporters were attendance, as were newer industry members, to celebrate propane—past, present, and future. Nicholson, Willis, Penta, and Renaldo were also joined by Harold Poland of NGL Energy Partners, among many others. Walter O. Snelling’s granddaughters, and the daughters of the late Charles D. Snelling, Marjorie Snelling and Elizabeth Snelling, attended as did Elizabeth Snelling’s son, Oliver Meeker.

Bell helped to shepherd this project to completion. She is proud and honored that Bethlehem, Pa. is home to the museum and propane exhibit. It is her hope going forward that as an industry, “we continue to promote and support the museum. Several PAPGA members who are in close proximity to Bethlehem have volunteered their time and expertise to assist the museum in developing and executing ‘Meet the Expert,’ which will afford visitors to periodically speak directly with propane industry professionals. I believe that sharing our past, we can inspire future entrepreneurs and this is a terrific start!”

National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) chairman Stuart Weidie of Blossman Gas commented, “A small group of dedicated people—Bob Nicholson, Jim Renaldo, Roland Penta, just to name a few—have made the exhibit illustrating the history of our industry a reality. Perhaps more important, there will be an opportunity to educate the tens of thousands of young children and adults who will visit the exhibit about the great uses of propane.” — Natalie Peal