Who we are
Effective Date: May 19, 2026
The East Texas Oil Museum (“we,” “our,” or “the Museum”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our visitors, donors, members, and online guests. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our museum, use our website, purchase tickets, or interact with us.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information from you in a variety of ways, including when you visit our website, purchase admission or event tickets, make a donation, shop at our museum store, or subscribe to our newsletter.
Personal Data
Voluntarily provided information that can identify you personally, including:
- Contact Information: Name, shipping address, billing address, email address, and phone number.
- Financial Data: Credit card numbers or other payment details (processed securely through third-party payment processors) for admissions, gift shop purchases, or donations.
- Donation & Membership History: Records of your contributions, memberships, or event attendance.
Derivative and Technical Data
Information our servers automatically collect when you access our website:
- IP address, browser type, operating system, access times, and the pages you viewed directly before and after accessing the site.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to maintain our operations and provide you with a high-quality experience. Specifically, we may use your data to:
- Process ticket sales, memberships, donations, and gift shop purchases.
- Send you confirmation emails, updates, and receipts.
- Deliver newsletters, event announcements, and promotional materials related to the Museum (you may opt out at any time).
- Improve our website functionality, customer service, and exhibit offerings.
- Respond to your inquiries, comments, or customer service requests.
- Comply with legal obligations and protect the security of our visitors and assets.
3. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
- Third-Party Service Providers: We may share your data with trusted vendors who perform services for us (such as web hosting, payment processing, email delivery, and ticketing systems). These providers are contractually obligated to keep your data secure.
- Kilgore College Alignment: As the Museum is housed on the campus of Kilgore College, we may occasionally share high-level operational or donor data with the college for institutional advancement or reporting purposes, in accordance with educational privacy standards.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Museum, our visitors, or others.
4. Security of Your Information
We use administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help protect your personal information. While we have taken reasonable steps to secure the personal information you provide to us, please be aware that no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website may use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to help customize the site and improve your experience. Most browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can remove or reject cookies through your browser settings, but be aware that such action could affect the availability and functionality of the website.
6. Children’s Privacy
The East Texas Oil Museum is a family-friendly institution, but our digital services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information as quickly as possible.
7. Your Choices Regarding Your Information
You have control over how your information is used for communication purposes:
- Email Communications: You can opt out of receiving promotional emails or newsletters from us by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of our emails.
- Data Access and Corrections: You can contact us at any time to review, update, or request the deletion of the personal information we have on file for you.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the “Effective Date” at the top of this policy. You are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed of updates.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions, comments, or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
East Texas Oil Museum Kilgore College Campus
1100 Broadway Blvd
Kilgore, TX 75662
Phone: (903) 983-8295
Email: ETOM@kilgore.edu
Website: easttexasoilmuseum.kilgore.edu