Uni of Sheffield Special Collections, Heritage and Archives
Home of the National Fairground and Circus Archive, the University Archives, Special Collections and the Heritage Collection.
- More than a Degree: 120 Years of Life at the Student Union exhibition is now 🎉OPEN!🎉 The exhibition explores life at the SU and how the SU has come to be such a popular part of the student experience through displays of archives, artefacts, memories and more!… @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social
- Let’s say a sorry farewell to Dreamland’s Scenic Railway 👋 This 100-year-old rollercoaster is believed to be the oldest in Britain. Sadly, the iconic Grade II* listed ride in Margate will now retire from operation 🎢 [1/4]
- We are pleased to announce that applications are open for 3 PhD studentships in History using the newly catalogued Arthur Scargill Archive for research 🎉 Find out more here ➡️ tinyurl.com/56ft64xc @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social
- Interested to see more from the Arthur Scargill Archive? 👀 We have curated a display of highlights from the archive on Level 5 of the Western Bank Library! Access to the display is by using a Uni of Sheff Ucard or email us to arrange access on lib-special@sheffield.ac.uk
- 🚨NEWLY CATALOGUED COLLECTION🚨 We are delighted to announce that after a 2-year project, the Arthur Scargill Archive is now available for research in our public reading room!🎉 More info➡️ tinyurl.com/cz3s5dxk Browse the catalogue➡️ tinyurl.com/vn4xvdd6 @mrcwarwick.bsky.social @sslh.bsky.social
- Our team are busy installing our next exhibition on Level 4 of Western Bank Library! Any guesses as to what the exhibition will be about? HINT: this year marks 120 years of Sheffield Students’ Union…
- Our @sheffielduni.bsky.social School of English is pleased to advertise 3 funded PhDs supported by the Champernowne Trust and a bequest from director Geoffrey Ost with research anchored in the Irene Champernowne Archive which we hold in Special Collections! 🎉 More info here ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdh9nvfn
- We were delighted to host @apac-ssn.bsky.social AGM and annual Research Showcase last week 🥳🥳 We loved talking about our performance-related archives and Special Collections, as well as hearing about some of the fantastic research being undertaken using performance-related collections 😍
- ‼️🚨This week is your LAST CHANCE to visit our Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City exhibition at Western Bank Library! 🚨‼️ The free exhibition explores the life, work and legacy of the late British architect, writer and teacher PBJ
- Some of our very talented team are selling their handmade crafts at @sheffielduni.bsky.social Students’ Union TODAY! ✨Christmas Craft Fair ✨10-4pm ✨Uni of Sheffield Students’ Union
- ⚡We are recruiting🌟 We are looking for a fixed-term Digitisation Officer and a fixed-term Digital Engagement Officer (with possibility to extend) to work in our Special Collections, Heritage and Archives team! Find out more info here 👀👀➡️ tinyurl.com/4epkcfp2
- 🚨Only 2 days left to apply to participate in the History and Archives in Practice 2026 conference #HAP26! 🚨 Applications close on 31st Oct Held at @sheffielduni.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social in partnership with @ihr.bsky.social @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @royalhistsoc.org
- 🚨The call for papers for the History and Archives in Practice 2026 conference #HAP26 is now live! 🚨 Along with @ihr.bsky.social @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @royalhistsoc.org we invite you to explore 'Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: The Impact of Archives and Historical Research' ⬇️
- Interested in fairground history? Take a look at these newly catalogued AND digitised collections: 🎡Vic King Collection (tinyurl.com/yjrjeaep) contains films of fairgrounds and steam rallies 🎡Summerhayes Collection (tinyurl.com/3z3bjz23) contains plans and drawings of Savage's fairground rides
- ❓Did you know...❓ You can look at our world-class special collections and archives for FREE in our public Reading Room 😮 🔎Search our online catalogue 💻Book an appointment 📚Head to Western Bank Library @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social 📜Explore unique and rare items More info here tinyurl.com/2xmvc2zx
- Our current exhibition Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City explores the life, work and legacy of the late British architect, writer and teacher PBJ. Not able to come and see it in person? No problem! You can explore the exhibition virtually! 👀👀 tinyurl.com/4zku9bkw
- 🚨The call for papers for the History and Archives in Practice 2026 conference #HAP26 is now live! 🚨 Along with @ihr.bsky.social @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy @royalhistsoc.org we invite you to explore 'Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: The Impact of Archives and Historical Research' ⬇️
- As part of Heritage Open Days 2025, former History student Megan Ellis researched the Elmfield Building which originally housed the Department of Glass Technology and the Turner Museum of Glass (now in the Robert Hadfield building, open to the public 9-4, Mon-Fri). Read more ➡️ tinyurl.com/mr273ez5
- For this year's Heritage Open Days, we have a curator-led tour of our Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City on Saturday 13th September at 10:30am! Places are limited so please book a place by clicking on 'book here' under the Western Bank Library tab 🏙️✏️🧱🎨 tinyurl.com/56s7m7s
- The NFCA is delighted to announce the launch of its new online exhibition - Sanger 200. 2025 marks 200 years since the birth of ‘Lord’ George Sanger, one of the most significant circus proprietors of all time. Take a look inside tinyurl.com/Sanger200
- Clowns are performers of comedy and arts, usually wearing bright costumes and make up. Clowns commonly perform in circuses meaning they feature a lot in our National Fairground and Circus Archive held here @unisheffieldlib.bsky.social Some people consider clowns humorous right?... #EYAHumour 🤡
- History Day North is in full swing! Stop by our stand to learn more about our archives, National Fairground and Circus archive, Special Collections, rare books and heritage collection as well as our digital collections and exhibition programme 📚📜💾🖼️ #HistDayNorth #DCDC25
- Who is joining us at #HistDayNorth and #DCDC25 @durham-university.bsky.social this year? 🎉 We can't wait to tell people about our amazing collections at History Day North tomorrow Tuesday 29th July 12:30-4:30pm!
- The National Fairground and Circus Archive team were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of David Springthorpe on 16th July. David was the longest serving contributor to the World's Fair Newspaper and was a great friend of the showmen community. We send our condolences to his family and friends💐
- Embroiderer and artist Diana Springall has been awarded a Doctor of Letters for her contribution to the arts by @sheffielduni.bsky.social! In 1987, Diana created 'Graduation' for Level 5 of Western Bank Library which is now part of our Heritage Collection. Find out more here➡️ tinyurl.com/nhzdcfzw
- Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City opens TODAY! Alongside documents, plans, photos, books and letters, the exhibition offers the rare chance to see a scale model of part of Sheff in 1900 created by students taught by PBJ! FREE ENTRY! Open Mon-Fri 9-5 at Western Bank Library
- ✏️1 WEEK TODAY✏️ Our new exhibition Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City opens Monday 21st July! Explore the life, work and legacy of the late British architect, writer and teacher PBJ (not peanut butter and jelly!) who taught at @sheffielduni.bsky.social School of Architecture
- ✨NEW EXHIBITION✨ Peter Blundell Jones: Architecture, Landscape and the City ✏️COMING SOON…🧱 More info about PBJ ➡️ www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/news...
- Check out this blog post from the university’s Digital Preservation Manager Bryony Hooper about our recent digital preservation work! @dpc-chat.digipres.club.ap.brid.gy #digipres
- 🍦Happy National Ice Cream month!🍦 Ice cream has always been a popular treat at fairgrounds and circuses, especially in the warmer months, and a lot of work goes into designing and making an eye-catching ice cream stand to attract customers! What is your favourite ice cream flavour?🍨
- The NFCA & Bents Green School have worked in collaboration to deliver the 2025 Arts Council England Arts Award certificate to its year 10 students. Drop by level 5 of the Western Bank Library to view the exhibition display of ceramics, print, photography & graffiti art. On until the end of Sep
- Our Anatomy at Sheffield exhibition has now finished! 🫀🩻 If you missed it, worry not! You can explore the exhibition virtually on our website ➡️ tinyurl.com/56zu23kt Can anyone guess what our next exhibition will be about? 👀
- A prolific travel writer, Margaret Hides specialised in writing about travel for people with physical disabilities as a person with a disability herself. She sent many postcards to her husband Michael on her travels 🌍✈️ Explore the Hides in the Michael Hides Archive tinyurl.com/47s94jke #EYATravel
- It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dear friend and supporter Steve Richley who passed away yesterday 3rd June 2025. Steve was a circus historian, publisher, collector & author of many books. He was a long-term supporter of the archive and he will be sorely missed by everyone here.
- 120 years ago today @sheffielduni.bsky.social was granted its university charter 🥳 It followed the dissolution of Victoria University into Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool unis in 1903. The Charter came to Sheff from London by train on 3rd June 1905 by George Franklin, Chairman of the Uni Council🚂
- ☀️Come and join us at Weston Park May Fayre THIS SUNDAY to learn more about our archives, rare books, special collections and heritage collection!☀️ 🎨We also have some fun activities for you to have a go at!🎨 FREE ENTRY
- Back in 2024, we hosted the It's All a Show exhibition curated in collaboration with Sheldon Chadwick from the Showmen's Mental Health Awareness Charity. 👀 You can still discover the exhibition online here: my.matterport.com/show/?m=V5QB... #mentalhealthawarenessweek
- As we continue to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we delve into our archive to find this gem of a photo. Walter Marshall can be seen here standing next to his plane during his time in the RAF in World War 2, where he was stationed in India, South Africa, Palestine, Egypt & Israel. #ve80
- [Not loaded yet]
- In 1945, students from @sheffielduni.bsky.social marked Victory in Europe Day by organising a celebratory dance in the Students' Union. Whilst we are sure the dance was a success and lots of fun, an attendee recalled that 'the band was not drunk it was just no good'!🎺🥁 #VE80 #Victory80
- There is plenty of fun and games to be had in the month of May as there are lots of May Fairs! #EYAFunandGames @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social The Knutsford May Day Fun Fair in Cheshire is one of the most famous in the UK and can be traced back to 1864! 🎈🎉🎡🎠 More info here ➡️ tinyurl.com/5h6hhwtf
- 👀 Its all fun and games at the fair! 👀 Take a look at this blog by Explore Your Archive, which features some of the amazing photographic collections found at the National Fairground and Circus Archive: www.exploreyourarchive.org/photographic...
- Representing The National Fairground and Circus Archive overseas, our Senior Archivist Arantza Barrutia will be speaking this week at the two-day salon, Fairs & Frontiers. Taking place in The House of Mysteries, Ghent, the salon explores the rich and multifaceted world of European funfair culture.
- These colourful and distinctive natural history lecture slides were collected by Arthur Edgar Beet, an academic in the Applied Science Department at the University of Sheffield. Digitised images of the Beet Lantern Slide Collection can be found here: tinyurl.com/2v8abbfm #EYAEarth
- It's been two years since Diana Springall's textile work 'Graduation' was reinstalled onto the back wall of Western Bank Library's main hall after a two year absence being conserved. Learn more about the work undertaken in the 3 short films on @unishefplayer.bsky.social tinyurl.com/4df4tkrn 🎓🎨
- Not only do we have some lovely pets in our collections, our team also have some lovely pets of their own! Say hello to Wolfie, Coco, Teddy, Grace and Lily!👋👋👋😍
- Happy National Pet Month! 🐶😸🐹🐰🐭🐴 Here are some lovely pets from our collections! Some might be made up...
