Kelham Island Museum

About the museum

Kelham Island Museum stands on one of the oldest industrial sites in Sheffield. The island was formed in the twelfth century, when a goit or millrace was cut to carry water from the River Don to a corn mill. In 1637 the town armourer Kellam Homer set up a grinding workshop and waterwheel here, and the island took its name from him. In 1829 John Crowley built an iron foundry on the island, which worked until the 1890s.

The city bought the site in the 1890s, demolished the ironworks and in 1899 opened an electricity generating station to supply the new tram network. The power station stopped producing electricity in the 1930s, and its buildings were then used for storage and workshops. Today they house the museum, which opened in 1982.

The museum tells the story of 300 years of making in Sheffield, from the small workshops of the Little Mesters to large-scale steel production. Its best-known exhibit is the River Don Engine, a very large steam engine that is run on selected days. Other displays include the Hawley Tool Collection, a Bessemer converter, the Sheffield Simplex cars, a reconstructed die-sinkers' workshop and a terraced house set in 1916. Sheffield Museums Trust, a charity, runs the museum.

Highlights

• River Don Engine, a very powerful steam engine run in steam several days a week
• Little Mesters Street, a reconstructed street of small cutlery and tool workshops
• Hawley Tool Collection of Sheffield tools and cutlery-making equipment
• Sheffield Simplex cars in the Transport Galleries
• 1916 House with interactive and sensory displays
• Bessemer converter at the museum entrance

Permanent exhibitions

• River Don Engine – A very powerful working steam engine that is run in steam at set times from Thursday to Sunday.
• Little Mesters Street – A recreated street of small workshops showing how independent craftspeople made tools and cutlery.
• Hawley Tool Collection – A large collection of Sheffield tools and cutlery assembled by the former tool retailer Ken Hawley.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Sheffield Museums Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; the museum asks visitors to donate 5 pounds if they can.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Level or ramped access throughout the museum, automatic doors and lifts to all three floors; the Crossley Gas Engine viewing platform is reached by a few steps. A firm path crosses the cobbled site from the main gate, but Little Mesters Street is fully cobbled. A fixed tactile map is at reception and a handheld tactile map can be borrowed. Wheelchairs are available on request. Ear defenders can be borrowed because some areas are noisy, and induction loops are available at the admissions desk and for tours. Two free Blue Badge bays are behind the Bessemer Converter. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at the Crucible Theatre. A visual story and large-print leaflets are available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Sheffield Museums run family events and activities, especially in school holidays, plus regular family trails that can be requested from staff on arrival. The 1916 House has interactive and sensory displays. Baby-change facilities are in the women's toilets in the foyer and in the accessible toilet on the first floor.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Alma Street, off Corporation Street (A61), on the edge of the city centre. Alma Street is partly closed to traffic near The Fat Cat pub, so drive in and leave the same way back onto Corporation Street. Bicycle parking is by the Bessemer Converter.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

The cafe Joni serves breakfast, lunch and drinks Tuesday to Sunday, and the Millowners Arms pub on site opens in the afternoons and evenings from Wednesday. Food and drink may not be taken into the museum. The shop sells Sheffield cutlery, books and local food. The museum has no lockers or cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 250 guests.

Weddings and civil ceremonies for up to 90 guests in the Crucible Workshop; seated dinners for up to 200 and receptions for up to 250 in the Upper Gallery. A licensed bar and an outdoor courtyard are available.

Plan your visit