The Hodson Family Collection tells the story of the Hodson Portable Theatre Company, founded by Joseph "Joe" Charles Hodson and his wife Emma, which travelled around Yorkshire and was based in Sheffield from the middle of the nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. These two enterprising actors founded a family dynasty of variety and entertainment which continued for three generations.

The Hodson Portable Theatre Company was comprised of extended family including Emma's brother Alf Taylor, son Joe Randal, and daughters Henrietta, Emma and Gertrude. They presented melodramas, dramatic sketches, variety turns and pantomime sketches for nearly a century. Items in the collection include their gag book, scripts from their touring days and photographs of family members on the stage.