Explore, reminisce and play! From christenings to cricket, samplers to school hats, toys and teddies, discover over a hundred years of growing up in Barnsley.  

We've been searching through Barnsley's museum and archive collections for stories of childhood and have uncovered all kinds of treasures and memories. On display are classic board games, sports trophies, action figures and beautiful portraits.   

There’s something for all the family and includes a roleplay area, dress up and cosy story corner.

 

360° Virtual Tour

See everything from the physical exhibition in our online exhibition (View full screen)

 

 

ArtUK Childhood Curation

We have brought together all the artwork from the exhibition alongside other paintings from Barnsley Museums collections which can be viewed in this curation

  • A historical painting of a woman with curly hair lovingly holding a child who reaches up towards her. Both wear period clothing, and the background includes draped red fabric and a hint of a landscape.
    Mary Winifred Pulleine and her Son Walter by John Hoppner
  • A painting of a young person in profile, with long brown hair and a pensive expression. They wear a round, textured hat, and the background is dark, highlighting their face and clothing.
    Head of a Boy by Ferdinand Roybet
  • A child with curly red hair sits by a wooden structure, wearing a red vest over a brown shirt and pants. The child holds a thin stick and looks down, smiling, with grass and small red berries nearby.
    The Berkshire Boy by Eliza Turck
  • A painting of three women in a field collecting wheat. Two women are standing, holding bundles; one is kneeling. The landscape is rural, with a horse-drawn cart in the background under a cloudy sky. They wear long, rustic dresses.
    Children in a Hayfield by William Underhill

Barnsley On Film

We have searched through the collections of Barnsley Archives & Local Studies to create a compilation film on the theme of childhood.

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Photos From Childhood

 

Here's just a small selection of photographs from Barnsley Archives & Local Studies who have lots of records for schools across Barnsley. Visit the Discovery Centre Tuesday-Thursday without making an appointment or search the online catalogue

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