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Textile Museum of Canada facts for kids

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Textile Museum of Canada
TextileMuseumOfCanada2.jpg
Entrance to the Textile Museum of Canada
Established 1975 (1975)
Location Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Type Textile museum
Visitors 29,190
Public transit access TTC - Line 1 - Yonge-University-Spadina line.svg St. Patrick

The Textile Museum of Canada is a special place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's a museum all about textiles, which are basically fabrics and cloths. Here, you can see, learn about, and explore amazing textiles from all over the world!

The Museum's Story

The museum started in 1975. It was first called the Canadian Museum of Carpets and Textiles. Two people, Max Allen and Simon Waegemaekers, created it. They began with textiles they collected during their travels.

At first, the museum was in a small spot above an ice cream shop! But in 1989, it moved to its current, bigger home. Now, it shows off modern art, crafts, and designs from many countries. The museum also recognizes that it is on the traditional lands of several Indigenous groups, including the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Anishinaabe.

What You Can See: The Collection

Child's tunic (Yomud Turkmen people, Northern Afghanistan), child's vest and hat (Indus Kohistan, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan), early to mid 20th century - Textile Museum of Canada - DSC00912
An exhibit of a child's tunic from the museum's collection

The Textile Museum of Canada has a huge collection! There are more than 15,000 textiles from all around the globe. These items show 2,000 years of history. You can find fabrics, special ceremonial cloths, clothes, carpets, and quilts.

The museum often has new exhibits. These shows feature both old and new textile art. They use items from their own collection and sometimes borrow from other museums.

Learning and Fun Activities

Beyond looking at exhibits, there's a lot to do! The museum has a library called the H.N. Pullar Library. It's full of books and information about handmade textiles.

You can also join in on many activities. They offer talks, workshops, and even music and dance shows. There are hands-on demonstrations and special programs for schools. Public tours help you learn even more about the amazing textiles.

Online Access to the Collection

The museum also works to share its collection online. One project, Canadian Tapestry: The Fabric of Cultural Diversity, lets you see thousands of artifacts from home. This means more people can explore the museum's treasures!

Museum Connections

The Textile Museum of Canada works with other important groups. These include the CMA and the CHIN. They also connect with the Virtual Museum of Canada.

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