The Linen of Barnsley & Rotherham
By historian Joshua Daniels It’s well-known that the coal, iron, steel and glass industries dominated the economies of Rotherham and Barnsley. There was, however, another very prominent industry: linen. Whilst textiles are more associated with what is now West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire was also a leading contributor to the industry....
The Wharncliffe Carlton Colliery Explosion – 140 Years Later
By Joshua Daniels Just after midnight on 18th October 1883, Wharncliffe Carlton Colliery suffered a disaster that saw the death of 20 men and boys. Based in the Smithies area of Barnsley, close to the border between Monk Bretton and Carlton, Wharncliffe Carlton Colliery had been operating for around five...
Ee By Magnum: Uncovering Tom Selleck’s Barnsley connection
He’s just as famous for his thick moustache as he is for his starring roles. But a previously unknown fact about Hollywood actor Tom Selleck is that his ancestry can be traced back to right here in Barnsley. A team of local investigators have given Selleck’s Magnum P.I. character a...
King Tut’s legacy comes to life in Barnsley
To mark 100 years since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, Egyptologist, Joann Fletcher, has designed an immersive exhibition at Experience Barnsley.
Worsbrough family’s wartime letters
We take a look at the history of the Elmhirst family from Worsbrough and the letters the eight siblings wrote to each other during the First World War.
The magic of Maurice Dobson Museum
Museums are more than just gigantic display cabinets where forgotten objects go to be gawped at. The humble museum has the power to reflect and shape our society, providing priceless lessons about the past. Darfield’s Maurice Dobson Museum and Heritage Centre is the epitome of that, giving visitors a lesson...
Restoring the character of Eldon Street
Eldon Street has been the principal gateway into Barnsley town centre for over 170 years. But what are your memories of one of the most historic and best-loved streets in Barnsley? Do you remember Eldon Street as a thriving street for businesses, echoing with the voices of entrepreneurs past and...
Saving the Mill of the Black Monks
We look back at the history of one of Barnsley’s oldest in-use buildings, the Mill of the Black Monks and the future plans of its owner Malcolm Lister.