We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.
Owner description:
This is not your run-of-the-mill museum. From spinning wheels to airplanes and power looms to baseballs, history really comes...
more »Owner description:
This is not your run-of-the-mill museum. From spinning wheels to airplanes and power looms to baseballs, history really comes alive at the American Textile History Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. In our core exhibition, Textile Revolution: An Exploration through Space and Time, you’ll spin, weave, design, and recycle your way through time in an amazing interactive experience that explores how textiles shaped our country and impact our lives every day. Watch how baseballs are made from wool, weave on an authentic hand loom, man the controls of a real airplane, and try on a glove designed for the NASA space program. Explore how textiles are changing our world, from protective clothing for firefighters and soldiers to high-tech “shark skin” suits for Olympic swimmers. See firsthand how many of the clothes you wear are made of wood, crude oil, or plastic soda bottles! The clothing we wear, the clean water we drink, the sports we play, the cars we drive, and the roads we drive on are all possible only through the incredible world of textiles. And you’ll experience it all at the American Textile History Museum. Check out our rotating special exhibitions exploring fascinating topics through textiles, from the glamour and grace of 1930s fashion to the poignant stories of Vietnam soldiers. Enjoy our family-friendly interactive centers for hands-on fiber arts for all ages. Stop by our gift shop for a souvenir to remember your day of fun and discovery. You’ll never look at the fascinating world of textiles the same way again. ATHM has the most significant integrated textile history collection in North America including extensive flat textile and clothing collections, one of the world’s largest and most important collections of spinning wheels and looms, an unparalleled archive of approximately five million American textile samples from the 19th to 21st centuries, and the renowned Osborne Library for textile history research.
« less
Owner description:
The New England Quilt Museum is a showplace for antique and contemporary quilts. Four to five exhibitions a year, classes,...
more »Owner description:
The New England Quilt Museum is a showplace for antique and contemporary quilts. Four to five exhibitions a year, classes, family activities, and historical lectures let you learn about this distinctive American art form. Located in the heart of downtown Lowell's historic district, it's within walking distance of numerous other attractions, including the American Textile History Museum and the Boott Cotton Mills, as well as restaurants and the theater.
« less
"If you are near Lowell, MA, you should for sure go to the Visitor Center. When you park, bring your pass inside and they will validate it. Lowell was the beginning and center of our country's industrial revolution and it revolves around textiles. The Center has good displays and a movie that explain..."s it all. From there you can walk easily to a number of sites that relate to this from a working textile mill, to a quilt museum, see the canals, ride the trolley or go to the Natioinal Textile Museum. This may not sound interesting, but it is. It is very informative as you consider that most of our textiles are now down overseas.
" More >
"We visited the National Park textile mill exhibits as well as the Quilt Museum in Lowell, which were all interesting, but in the afternoon we discovered the American Textile History Museum and it was THE BEST. It covers all the history that the others show plus a lot more from the early days to mod..."ern times. Exhibits were very well laid out. If you only have time for one museum, I'd pick this one. It has it all!
" More >
"This museum walks you through the industrialization of the textile industry...particularly in Lowell. It is self paced and self guided...lots of signage that explains what you are seeing. One of the most impressive exhibits is the very large loom. It is very interesting to watch how it works and ..."to think about the incredible engineering involved. The museum often also offers a special exhibit related to textiles. They may also offer activities for children. Check their website. NB: Skip the restaurant. The city of Lowell offers many better restaurant choices.
" More >
Lowell
Click map pins for more information.
You are zoomed out too far to see location pins. Please zoom back in.
About TripAdvisor®
TripAdvisor provides reviews of attractions, activities and things to do in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, flights, holiday rentals, holiday packages, and lots more!
* TripAdvisor LLC is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... (more)
We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly. We support the following browsers:
Windows:Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome.
Mac:Safari.
TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites. Taxes, fees not included for deals content.