Barnsley's museum and archive collections include fine and decorative art, social and industrial history, archaeology, archival documents and photographs, local studies literature and sound and film.
If you would like to make an enquiry about the collections, please email artsmuseumsandarchives@barnsley.gov.uk
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This hammer head was found during the construction of Scout Dyke Reservoir at Ingbirchworth in the 1920s. Although for the past 40 years it has been used as a door stop! The hammer was owned by William Wadsworth who worked at Barnsley Corporation Waterworks, based at the town hall. The hammer was passed through the family and played with by grandchildren for decades. (LI.BMBC.TH.2012.14) Photo © Norman Taylor
Arthur Bower with his wooden rattle which he took to the first Barnsley football match in 1948
In 1947, workmen digging foundations for new houses at Darfield hit upon a pottery jar full of Roman coins, dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries. Another two hoards were uncovered in the same area in 1948 and 1950. BMBC.TH.1375 Photo © Norman Taylor
The mill became run down in the mid-20th century. Severe storms in the 1950s didn't help its condition.
Frank Hadfield was a gunner in the Royal Artillery and was taken prisoner of war on 15th February 1942 in Singapore where he entered a Japanese camp for three years. He was treated very badly; beaten, tortured and starved. He was seventeen stone when he left and six and half when he returned. Frank never should have gone to the Far East, he was destined for Iceland but their ship from Liverpool was given the wrong orders. As they arrived they were ordered to surrender and taken in cattle trucks to camps. He was made to work on the railways and kept a diary of events throughout the war. Some entries are very brief, as being caught writing his diary was almost certain death. This mess tin was carved by Frank with a nail during his time as a prisoner of war. You can see his name, number and regiment. He was released on 16th August 1945 and put on the first ship back to Southampton, arriving in October. He spent nine months recovering in hospital and suffered all his life with the terrible memories. He lived until 76 years old and worked at brickworks at Monk Bretton Colliery when he returned to Barnsley. Photo © Norman Taylor
Ceramic bowl made by William de Morgan, c. 1890
George Burnett was 33 when he enlisted in the First World War to the 13th Yorks and Lancs Regiment in 1914. According to his army enlistment record, he had previously worked in a chemical factory. He was married to Eva Thornton and lived at King Street, Barnsley. George was lost on the Somme in 1916 for four days, and was later treated for Shell Shock in an army hospital. He brought home many items from the trenches, including this army issue biscuit. He returned to Barnsley to work in Borrow Colliery after being discharged from the army in 1919. Photo © Norman Taylor
'Cannon Hall' ceramic vase made by Sian Leeper for Moorcroft, 2007
Roman coin of Crispina, wife of Commodus, AD 180-183
Bryony Nixon with her school shirt signed by all friends on the last day of school.
