A wide ranging collection illustrating the Scottish shale oil industry contains mining tools and equipment, laboratory and processing equipment, geological samples and products, oil lamps manufactured by Young's Paraffin Light and Mineral Oil Company, legal and company materials, plus a wealth of images, plans, records and printed material. The social history of shale oil communities is represented through architectural plans, community records and objects illustrating home life.

The museum also holds material illustrating other extractive and engineering industries in West Lothian, notably a range of large shovel-making machinery and other ephemera from Chieftain spade forge, Bathgate. Local arable and livestock farming, related industries such as milling, dairying and rural crafts are represented by a wide range of tools, equipment, packaging and products.

A wide range of other materials are held that chart life and industry in West Lothian, and Livingston new town.