Community Archive

Over the last few years a number of local enthusiasts have been collecting stories, information and images from the colourful past of the local area.

Whilst the Manor Lodge has long been associated with the story of Mary Queen of Scot’s long years of imprisonment in Sheffield the story of the site itself is long and complicated, featuring many fascinating individuals. Amongst these are Sheffield’s first commercial potter, a ranting nineteenth century evangelical preacher, two burglars who were amongst the last to be transported to Australia and miners who tunnelled deep into the hilltop for coal. Relatives of these families still live in the area and their family stories are now being collected.

For local families the romantic ruins have been a playground for generations so many of them have fond memories of the Manor Lodge (or Manor Castle as it has been locally called) and have their own stories of their life on the Manor.

Do you have a story to tell?

We are currently working with local people to collect and record these stories and images and will be adding these to the website as the collection grows. In the new visitor Centre there will be a dedicated Community Archive Room equipped with facilities to store and work on this developing archive. Please keep visiting the Community Archive as we will update as we receive and transcribe material.

In the meantime, you can help us! Please contact us if you have any stories, recollections or pictures of your family’s life on and around the Manor. We would be really pleased to hear from you.

Click here for the contact form, or call the Discovery Centre on 0114 267 7634