Buildings.
Many historic, as well as modern buildings, share the City of Sheffield. Below there follows brief details of some of these buildings, along with details of buildings the visitor to the City may find useful.
Sheffield Town Hall. - Surrey Street : Opened in 1897 and extended in 1910 and 1923. It has a 193 ft. high tower surmounted by the figure of Vulcan, - the blacksmith of the gods, - the symbol of the City's main industries. The Town Hall underwent a further extension in recent times with the construction of a modern piece of architecture. This new extension is totally out of keeping with the original building, and has proved unpopular with the citizens of the City, and also with the people who work within its confines. The extension is known locally as the ' egg box ' because of its design.
This extension is due to be demolished shortly when new improvement works begins to the City Centre.
The Cutlers Hall. - Church Street : Built in 1832, the present Cutlers Hall is the third building to stand on the site. It contains many fine rooms in the classical style, including the banqueting hall, where the annual Cutlers' Feast has been held for more than 350 years. Among the collection of silver, there is at least one piece bearing the Sheffield Crown for each year the Assay Office has been opened in the City.
Sheffield Cathedral. - Church Street : Built about 1435, although its origins go back to the 12th century, the Cathedral was originally the parish church of Sheffield. A tower and spire were added in the 1435 construction, and a new nave was built in 1805, extended in 1880. The 16th. century Lady Chapel contains alabaster figures of some of the Earl of Shrewsbury, whose chapel it was until 1617. In the north transept window, is glass which is believed to have been made in Spain around the 14th century. The Chapter House has modern stained glass windows depicting the city's history, and also the Canterbury pilgrims. The cathedral had a new entrance porch added to the south side in 1960. It is a modern style with glass and stainless- steel doors.
(c) copyright E.T.W. Dennis & Sons Ltd.
Sheffield University. - Western Bank :
Higher than the Town Hall is the 255 ft Arts Tower of Sheffield University, which includes nine lecture theatres in its 19 stories. Sheffield Medical School, founded in 1828, is the oldest of the schools and colleges brought together in 1897 to form University College, Sheffield. This became a university in 1905. Today it has a large number of departments, many specialising in science.
The City Museum. - Weston Park : The museum has one of the best collections of Sheffield Plate in existence, along with a fine collection of cutlery made by the city craftsmen of the 16th century. Collections of natural history,geology, ceramics and coins, and local archaeology. Open: Wed to Sat 10am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. Closed Mon & Tues. ( except Bank Holidays. )
The Mappin Art Gallery. - Weston Park : Contains English paintings, including work by Gainsborough, Constable and Turner. Open: Wed to Sat. 10am.-5pm. Sun 11am -5pm. Closed Mon & Tues. ( except Bank Holidays )
The city Library & Art Gallery.
The Graves Art Gallery. - Surrey Street : Eight display rooms house British and European oil paintings, and English water colours. There is also a collection of art from further afield, along with a collection of sculptures. Open Tues. to Sat. 10am-5pm.
The Ruskin Gallery & Craft Gallery. - Norfolk Street : Houses the collection of the Guild of St. George, founded originally by John Ruskin in 1875 for the working people of Sheffield. The craft gallery contains temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Open Tues. to Fri. 10am-5pm. Sat. 10am-1pm. & 2pm.-5pm.
Bishops' House.
Bishops' House. - Meersbrook Park : This timber framed house of the 15th century is preserved as a museum to reflect the life of the period. Set in gardens planted with flowers and herbs typical of the time the house was built. It is reported to have been the home of brothers John and Geoffrey Blythe. John was Bishop of Salisbury from 1494 to 1499, his brother Geoffrey became Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry in 1503 until 1533. There is no evidence that any Bishop of Sheffield ever lived there.
Bessemer Converter - Kelham Island.
Kelham Island Industrial Museum. - Alma Street. : Set on an island in the River Don, close to the heart of the city, the Museum traces the story of Sheffield and explores the history that made the city the Steel Capital of the World. Many fine exhibits covering the last two centuries are to be found within the Museum, including the only surviving Bessemer Converter. Other attractions include, ' The Little Mesters ', these craftspeople were the backbone of the cutlery, toolmaking and silverware trades. Open : Mon. to Thur. - 11.00 am to 4.45 pm. Sunday. - 11.00 am to 4.45. pm. Closed Fri. & Sat.
Tilt Hammer.
Abbeydale Hamlet. - Abbeydale Road : These 18th century water powered steel works tell the story of the Industrial Revolution in Sheffield from 1712 until 1933. The Abbeydale works made all kinds of agricultural tools, from the making of the steel, to the grinding of the finished product. The Hamlet contains a tilt forge where scythes were formed by tilt hammers, driven by huge water wheels powered by the waters of the River Sheaf. The hammers struck 126 blows a minute as the water wheels turned twice. Although the works stopped production in 1933, the furnace was re-lit during the Second World War to make some high quality steel. Due to financial restrictions on Sheffield City Council, the Hamlet has had to be closed to the public. However it is hoped that this important historical building will re-open in the near future. A Web site dedicated to the Abbeydale Hamlet, ( See Links. ), allows visitors a ' virtual ' tour of the works and tells of the development of steel making.
"(c)copyright Hedgerow Publishing Ltd
Lyceum Theatre. - Norfolk Street :
This theatre situated directly in the City Centre was once a very popular venue, attracting many of the top names of the entertainment world. Lack of financial support saw the building fall into hard times, and eventually close. Recently, the theatre was acquired by new owners, and has been completely restored to its former elegance. It now has to compete with its more modern competitors, who do not have the lavish interior of the Lyceum.
(c)copyright Hedgerow Publishing Ltd
The Crucible Theatre. - Norfolk Street :
Built directly next door to the Lyceum theatre, the Crucible is a very modern theatre housing a unique stage that goes out into the audience. This allows productions to be staged not possible in a conventional theatre. The Crucible has also become known world-wide as the home to the World Snooker Championship, held once a year over a two week period. The sport completely takes over the theatre, and through the magic of television, the results are transmitted to many countries of the world. These two weeks form a great show case for the City of Sheffield, and they are highly regarded by the City and its residents.
Fire & Police Museum. - West Bar. : Features displays of fire fighting appliances dating from 1794 to 1974. Also mock fire scenes, breathing equipment, accident & emergency model railway. Displays of South Yorkshire Police memorabilia. Open: Sundays & Bank Holidays, 11am-5pm.
Sheffield Bus Museum. - Sheffield Road Tinsley : Some 30 vehicles are on display mainly of local interest including an old tramcar undergoing restoration. Open : Sat. & Sun. 12 noon - 4pm.
Kelham Island Museum. - Alma Street. : Sheffield industry through the ages, working steam engines, gas engines, audio-visual demonstrations and traditional cutlery craftsmen at work. Melting Shop and Energy Zone creating interactive activities for children. Open : Mon. to Thur. 10am-4pm. and Sundays 11am.-4.45pm.
(c)copyright Hedgerow Publishing Ltd
Don Valley International Sports Stadium. - Attercliffe Road :
Built among great controversy because of the high cost to the people of the City, the stadium was opened to accommodate the World Student Games. An ultra modern arena, it has fast achieved a reputation as one of the finest venues to stage many International and National events. Not only sport, but concerts by all the leading World entertainers are regularly held here, covering all aspects of the entertainment spectrum. If the weather is kind, special stages are constructed to achieve an outdoor concert. At other times, a purpose built sports hall doubles as a concert hall.
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Revised: 01 Dec 2000 01:02:50 -0000.