The Society has a rich history of researching and conserving the archaeology and historic buildings of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. Over the Society's 100 years they have taken part in notable projects, including the 1930s watching brief on Sheffield Castle, and the 1970s excavations of Swine Sty prehistoric settlement in the Peak District.
During 2012, inHeritage will help project manage a range of activities designed to celebrate the Society and the importance of community archaeology. We will lead workshops on interpretive writing and exhibition production, as well as assist society members write and edit a booklet and exhibition. We will produce a free-to-use Google Sites website for the Society, the first dedicated website the Society will have, and train members in its maintenance. The new web address for the Society is - www.hunterarchaeologicalsociety.org.uk
The press release for the project is below:
Hunter Archaeological Society wins Heritage Lottery Fund support
The Hunter Archaeological Society has received £36,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire: Lives in the past, discoverers for the future. Led by volunteers from the local community, the project will celebrate 100 years of community involvement in historic and archaeological research and conservation.
The project will inspire and train a new generation of ‘heritage explorers’ to continue this long tradition of amateur involvement in archaeology. The project will form part of the centenary celebrations of the Hunter Archaeological Society, a charitable society set up in 1912 to study and report on the archaeology, history and architecture of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. The Society is named after Joseph Hunter, one of the first people to research and record the region’s history. Joseph was born to a cutler in Sheffield in 1783.
Ruth Morgan, Honorary Secretary of the Hunter Archaeological Society says “We’re very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund who have awarded the Society a grant to celebrate the contributions that individuals and communities have made to the discovery of the heritage of our region. We are looking forward to telling more people about the Society during this important year in our own history.”
The Society is organising a series of events during the year with the assistance of the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Local Studies Library and Museums Sheffield. These include a Centenary Weekend, 11th - 13th May, with a conference on community archaeology, a reception at Sheffield Town Hall and dinner at the Cutlers’ Hall. The weekend launches a series of guided walks and excursions throughout the summer -these will be available later as self-guided trails, and there will be a special edition of the Society’s Transactions.
Weston Park Museum will host an exhibition on the work of the Society from February. Members are researching the life stories of past members and these will feature in an exhibition in Sheffield University Library in the autumn and a specially produced booklet.
Primary schools in Barnsley, Sheffield and Dronfield will take part in a project which includes digging test pits to get hands-on experience of archaeology.
You can find out more about the events and the Society at www.hunterarchaeologicalsociety.org.uk
Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and the Humber said “This is a fantastic project which will allow the community to learn about the Hunter Archaeological Society and the contribution it has made to their local heritage. Through aprogramme of hands-on events and activities focusing on archaeology and community history, people of all ages will have the opportunity to learn new skills and get involved in the heritage that matters to them.”
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