HERITAGE SILKSTONE

Heritage Silkstone, which was founded in 2010, is an organisation providing a resource for the research and understanding of the history of the village of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, and the immediate surrounding villages. We hold an extensive archive on the village of Hoylandswaine and its past inhabitants.

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We welcome visits and enquiries from all who have an interest in learning about our local history, whether it be domestic family research or the impact of great national events on our community.

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To this end, we are happy to share with researchers and casual visitors alike, our extensive archive of documents, parish records, maps, photographs and other artefacts. Please visit us at our base in the Bramah Gallery in  the beautiful, historic Silkstone All Saints’ Church and sample our extensive collection.

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Silkstone is well known for its association with 19th century coal mining, the Waggonway and the terrible Huskar Pit disaster, but new visitors may be unaware of its rich Medieval, Tudor and Jacobean history, with many buildings and artefacts preserved locally. Right at the outset of the Industrial Revolution, a pioneering glass-making industry was established in the village by the Pilmay family, who were descended from French Huguenot immigrants. The great engineer and inventor, Joseph Bramah (1748-1814), the father of the science of hydraulics, was born and raised in the parish of Silkstone before travelling to London to establish his reputation.