Kerman Oil Museum to Open in March 2017

The former British Consulate in the city of Kerman in Kerman Province, which is under restoration to be repurposed into an oil museum, will open to public in March 2017, in time for the two-week Iranian New Year holiday starting March 21.

The building was built in 1894 in Kerman's Zarisof District by the erstwhile governor, Seyyed Abolhassan Khan Biglari, who ruled southern and central Iran in the 19th century.

Abandoned for 27 years, the site is now in ruins, ISNA reported. Financed by the provincial office of National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company and the Kerman office of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicraft and Tourism Organization, the restoration project will be completed in two phases.

Mahmoud Vafaei, the head of Kerman's ICHHTO, said the building was reinforced and the ceiling's weight was reduced in the first phase. "The second phase will begin as soon as a budget of $230,000 is allocated," he said.

Establishment of the museum is part of a comprehensive plan by the Oil Ministry and ICHHTO to familiarize the public with the century-old history of Iran’s oil and gas industry. Two other museums in the oil cities of Abadan and Masjed Soleyman in the south, as well as one in Tehran, will also be established soon.

Kerman is the largest and most developed city in Kerman Province famous for its long history and cultural heritage.