Shepherd Wheel facts for kids
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| Location | Whiteley Woods, Sheffield, England |
|---|---|
| Type | Industrial museum |
| Owner | Sheffield Museums Trust |
Shepherd Wheel is a cool working museum in Sheffield, England. It used to be a workshop where tools were sharpened using the power of water! It sits right on the Porter Brook river. This place is special because it's one of the few old water-powered workshops still around. It shows how people used to make things long ago.
The workshop has a huge water wheel, about 5.5 meters (18 feet) tall. This wheel gets its power from a big pond, called a dam. Water from the Porter Brook fills this dam. The buildings, the dam, and the water channels are all protected as important historical sites.
Contents
A Look Back: History of Shepherd Wheel
Shepherd Wheel has a long and interesting history. It was first mentioned way back in 1584! A man named William Beighton, who made knives and tools, left a "water wheel" to his sons in his will. This wheel was called "Potar Whele."
How the Workshop Got Its Name
Later, in 1794, a man named Edward Shepherd was using a similar water wheel. Because there were no other wheels like it nearby, people think it was the same one. That's how the workshop got its name, Shepherd Wheel!
The Buildings We See Today
The buildings you see at Shepherd Wheel today were built around 1780. For most of the 1800s, the Hinde family ran the workshop. They kept it going until 1930, when it finally closed down.
From Private Land to Public Park
Originally, the land where Shepherd Wheel stands belonged to powerful families. First, it was owned by the Earl of Shrewsbury. Then, it passed to the Dukes of Norfolk. But in 1900, something big happened! Sheffield City Council bought the land, including Shepherd Wheel. They wanted to turn Whiteley Woods into a public park for everyone to enjoy.
Becoming a Museum
After the workshop closed, local history groups worked hard to save it. Thanks to their efforts, Shepherd Wheel was fixed up and opened as a museum in 1962. It closed for a short time in 1997. Then, in 1998, the Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust took over. They now manage the museum, making sure people can still visit and learn.
What You Can See at the Museum
Since 1998, Shepherd Wheel has been a fantastic museum run by the Sheffield Museums Trust. When you visit, you can see the amazing water wheel in action.
Inside the Workshop
Inside the workshop, there are two "grinding hulls." These are rooms with huge grinding wheels built into the floor. The water wheel makes these grinding wheels spin. Workers used them to sharpen all sorts of metal tools, like knives and scissors. You can also see a collection of old tools and equipment on display. It's like stepping back in time!
Recent Improvements
Shepherd Wheel got a big makeover! Thanks to a grant of £500,000, the museum was restored and reopened on March 31, 2012. This means it's in great shape for you to explore and learn about Sheffield's industrial past.
Images for kids
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The historic buildings of Shepherd Wheel
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The millpond that feeds water to the wheel
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Grinding wheels inside the workshop
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