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12 January 2020 “Milton Lipp - Early years of Bapco” Exhibition, History of Oil Industry Story-told at Bahrain National Museum
“Milton Lipp - Early years of Bapco” Exhibition, History of Oil Industry Story-told at Bahrain National Museum

 

The Bahrain National Museum hosted, on 12 January 2020,  the inauguration ceremony of “Milton Lipp - Early years of Bapco” exhibition, a collaborative effort with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and the United States Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The ceremony  was held  in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Gas and Oil, H.E. Justin Siberell, American Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Her Excellency Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Director-General of Culture and Arts at the Bahrain Authority for Culture &Antiquities, and Mr. Doug Lipp, grandson of Milton Lipp, along with other key cultural figures in Bahrain.

Before  the start of the event, H.E  Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Director-General of Culture & Arts, at the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, welcomed the audience, expressing her thanks to Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco),  US embassy I Manama in Bahrain and to Lipp’s family for their valuable efforts to make this exhibition an exceptional success, for providing private acquisitions and personal items belonging to Mr. Lipp and  facilitating their exhibition.

 H.E Justin Siberell, American Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, for his part, expressed thanks to Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, to Lipp’s family and to Bapco company for offering this opportunity to the general public to discover and get acquainted with the rich history and the crucial role played by Milton Lipp in Bahrain’s oil industry.

 The exhibition showcases the life journey and achievements of Milton Lipp, the general manager of the Middle East’s first refinery would go on to be Chairman of the Board for (Bapco) from 1939-1942, then  as Resident Vice-President in 1960 has left a mark that is a definite source of pride to Bapc between  1957-1960. The exhibition also tells the story of his contributions, his role in developing the performance of Bapco, as well the relationships, Mr. Lipp entertained with rulers of Bahrain and its people. A collection of photos, calendars and articles were donated by Lipp’s family to Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco).

Coinciding with the exhibition, Mr. Doug Lipp discussed the life of his grandfather and his journey to the Kingdom of Bahrain, reviewing the impact on his life and the life of his father through a presentation held at the Lecture Hall within the Bahrain National Museum. Mr. Doug said “ On behalf of Lipp’s family, it was with a great honor that I and my wife, donated Milton. H. Lipp’s collection to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The collection reflects a period of history between 1936-1960 of an immense flourishing development, trust and friendships, beneficial to all of us. I share with you my grandfather’s love to Bahrain and to Bapco, and I am really honored to have been given this opportunity to do so”.

Mr. Doug Lipp also said that his trip together with and his wife, Pam and son Keith to Bahrain to discover the legacy and heritage of his grandfather, Milon Lipp, was stunning not simply from economic perspective, but also culturally and socially challenging. Mr. Doug Lipp expressed his thanks to Bahrain Culture Authority, Bahrain Petroleum Company and all those who have contributed to the success of this exhibition.

Through a rare collection of old photos and materials dating  back to the early days of Bapco, 1930s, various photographs and documents from Milton Lipp’s family collection, Mr. Doug told the story of his grandfather, making it of a highly significant value to the oil company and to Bahrain. Mr. Lipp also showcased old photos of oil refineries in Bahrain, Awali compound where the oil workers used to live, adding that he had made extensive research efforts to trace and investigate the life journey of his grandfather from the beginning until his retirement in 1960.