For hundreds of years Kelham Island has been the centre of steel making in Britain and millions of tons of steel has been transported out of Kelham Island to build anything from forks to battle ships!
On arrival we were greated by Bill who was larger than life! He was extremely well equipped to make this incredible museum come to life. As an historian, and having come from a steel working backgroun,d he was endlessly fascinating and his vast knowledge was tempered by a great sense of humour and his enormous energy. The pupils hammered out patterns, fought with Civil War steel swords, fired muskets (without bullets I must add!) and walked through the slums of Sheffield. Without doubt, this was hands on history and a voyage of discovery for these children many of whom are descended from families who benefitted from the Sheffield steel industry. They were made fully aware of the vital contribution that steel from Sheffield made in the formation of Empire and the beginnings of global industrial revolution.
(Do send in your captions for this one!)
Posted on
Thursday, May 13, 2010
by RDM