Snow House At Grenoside 1893

The snow house was constructed at Skew Hill, Grenoside in January 1893 when there was a great frost and the quarry men were frozen out for 16 weeks. Well-trodden snow was piled in a heap about 24 ft long, 14 ft wide and 10 foot high and left for 48 hours.  A room 18 ft long,8 foot wide and 6 foot high was cut at the south end and a chimney placed at the north end.  A table was put in the centre of the room and around it 50 outdoor workers and their wifes took tea, a gift of Mr T. Machen. After tea there was entertainment consisting of songs by Joseph Steel, A. J.Westerman, R .Stringer, Joe Machen, G Hawksworth, W. Denton, F. Housley, J.H. Burkinshaw and Joe Fleetwood and recitations by C. Ryder. There was dancing, Mr Joshua Fleetwood being the accompanist. The next evening 20 had supper and games and the following night the youngsters were entertained. On these fine,moonlit nights hundreds of villagers visited the snow house, a local wonder!  

Image Details

Archiving Reference Number C&HGA/R/016/a/B
Date
Search Year 1893
Type Photograph
Photographer/Artist
Publisher
Contributor/s Taken from a glass slide belonging to Grenoside local history group
Area
Collection Holder
Date Donated to the EDA 1st June 2016

Sorry this item cannot be purchased.