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A perspective view along a restored cobbled street. The red brick walled workshops have multi-paned sash windows. There are two green wall mounted gas lamps and a green handcart at the end of the street.

© Ian M Spooner

© Ian M Spooner

Little Mesters Street

Continuing Display

Kelham Island Museum

Often described as the backbone of Sheffield’s cutlery and tool making industries, the Little Mesters were a network of craftspeople working out of small workshops or from their own homes.

 

They were self-employed and carried out the different stages of the production of goods, which were ordered and sold by Master Manufacturers. They mostly concentrated on individual aspects of forging, grinding or finishing and would also specialise in particular products, such as razors, penknives or surgical instruments.

At the height of their population in the mid 1800s, Little Mesters were making a vast contribution to the variety of products which bore a Sheffield stamp. Their reputation is one of skilled work and quality products. Only a handful of Little Mesters’ remain in Sheffield today.

On the Street you can also find equipment used by the Little Mesters, tools made by Sheffield makers, as well as The Hawley Collection Saw Shop. Take a peek through the window of watchmaker Julius Isaacs & Co, and see items and precision miniature parts that were made for aircraft, aerial photography and radar equipment during war time.

Free Entry | Please Donate £5

Opening Times

Tue-Sat 10am-4pm | Sun 11am-4pm

Closed Mondays including Bank Holidays

See the River Don Engine in steam at 12pm and 2pm, Thursday - Sunday

***We're sorry we're unable to run the River Don Engine on Sat 30 Aug and Sun 31 Aug due to staff illness***

***The Upper Transport Gallery and Simplex Car display will be closed for events on Wed 27 Aug – Wed 3 Sep and Sat 13 Sep***

There is currently no step-free access to the Transport Gallery.

Kelham Island Museum

Alma Street

Sheffield

S3 8RY

A perspective view along a restored cobbled street. The red brick walled workshops have multi-paned sash windows. There are two green wall mounted gas lamps and a green handcart at the end of the street.

Little Mesters Street

© Ian M Spooner

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