The Visit
This has been on the 'to do list' for a little while and as Sheffield is a city that is yet to disappoint on the exploration side of things, we were more than happy to wake up a little earlier than normal on a Saturday morning to make the drive over the other side of the pennines.
The visit was short and sweet with most of the time there spent talking to a few other groups of explorers we came across there and sharing information on other sites close by.
The History
George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry.
There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers.
The business grew to become the world's leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley's survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.
This has been on the 'to do list' for a little while and as Sheffield is a city that is yet to disappoint on the exploration side of things, we were more than happy to wake up a little earlier than normal on a Saturday morning to make the drive over the other side of the pennines.
The visit was short and sweet with most of the time there spent talking to a few other groups of explorers we came across there and sharing information on other sites close by.
The History
George Barnsley & Sons Ltd was founded in 1836 and were originally situated on Wheeldon Street, Sheffield. By 1849 they had moved to the Cornish Works, which were much larger premises. They specialised in the manufacture of files and cutting tools for use in the shoe making industry.
There are a number of family names that are known to have deep roots in the Sheffield area, and the Barnsley name is undoubtedly one of them. In 1650 George Barnsley became Master Cutler, a role fulfilled by another George Barnsley in 1883. This George Barnsley was of the second generation of the firm of George Barnsley and Sons, toolmakers.
The business grew to become the world's leading producer of tools for shoemakers. The technological revolution of the 20th century saw a decline in the need for traditional tools. George Barnsley's survived until 2003 when the premises finally closed.