This proud heritage is reflected in a number of museums, archives and artworks around the city, many of which have been developed and supported by grants from  HLF.

In fact in the 20 years since the National Lottery was created, more than 270 projects throughout the city have between them shared almost £50million in HLF funding. The range is immense; encompassing historic buildings, parks, museums, churches, theatres, biodiversity, and a rich mix of local community-based projects.

Having previously provided multi-million pound support to transform Weston Park Museum, a new grant just announced will now create extra gallery space so that much more of the city’s heritage can be put on public display. This is backed up by new education and activity programmes designed to tempt even more people – that’s in addition to the 250,000 annual visitors – to discover more about the city.

[quote=Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and The Humber]“Sheffield is a great city with a rich and varied past as the improved Weston Park Museum will show...”[/quote]

Another must-see museum is Kelham Island, on the River Don, where steelmaking history can be discovered in interactive galleries with the added ingredient of onsite craftsmen. At Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, site of a former steelworks, delicate waterwheels and machinery have been saved, restored and brought back into working order. Situated in the heart of the city, its oldest building, Sheffield Cathedral, is being transformed to create a bright and welcoming space that is accessible for all whether to pray, learn, or be entertained.

Sheffield Botanical Gardens by contrast was the first in the country to be repaired and restored to its full 19th century glory, the work rewarded by Green Flag awards that recognised an urban oasis that is welcoming and well-maintained with the support and involvement of the local community.

“Sheffield is a great city with a rich and varied past as the improved Weston Park Museum will show,” says Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and The Humber. “We are delighted to have helped conserve so many aspects of local history and to give people greater opportunities to marvel at it, learn from it and to share in it. And we have Lottery players to thank for making all this possible.”