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Prato Textile Museum
The Textile Museum is a cultural institution strongly rooted in the local social and economic fabric of the Prato district, managed by Prato Textile Museum Foundation [Fondazione Museo del Tessuto], which was founded in November 2003 by the Municipality and Province of Prato, the Prato Industrial Union and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Prato. In the same year the Museum found its definitive location in the restored Ex Cimatoria Campolmi, an old textile factory which is perhaps the most important example of industrial archaeology in the Province of Prato. The Museum, opened in 1975 as a cultural institution for the recovery of the local productive history and to support training in the sector of textile planning, can be considered one of the most important cultural centres dedicated to conservation, study and valorization of old and contemporary textiles. Its strong connections with textile companies of the area and contemporary industrial production is a quite unique characteristic in the contest of European museology. Today it’s collections comprise a heritage of international importance: textile art is documented from pre-Christian times to our day, illustrating various manufacturing techniques, by a total of about 6000 items. The existing strong relationships with many companies from the textile district have enabled the creation of a contemporary section. Every season, since 1997, this section displays to the public a selection of fabrics produced in the district that are particularly significant in terms of technological innovation and aesthetic value. In addition the Museum conserves a rich archive of sample books from local enterprises. The Museum also carries on education activities aimed at all age groups for the promotion of the textile culture and valorization of its collections.
The Textile Museum is a cultural institution strongly rooted in the local social and economic fabric of the Prato district, managed by Prato Textile Museum Foundation [Fondazione Museo del Tessuto], which was founded in November 2003 by the Municipality and Province of Prato, the Prato Industrial Union and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Prato. In the same year the Museum found its definitive location in the restored Ex Cimatoria Campolmi, an old textile factory which is perhaps the most important example of industrial archaeology in the Province of Prato. The Museum, opened in 1975 as a cultural institution for the recovery of the local productive history and to support training in the sector of textile planning, can be considered one of the most important cultural centres dedicated to conservation, study and valorization of old and contemporary textiles. Its strong connections with textile companies of the area and contemporary industrial production is a quite unique characteristic in the contest of European museology. Today it’s collections comprise a heritage of international importance: textile art is documented from pre-Christian times to our day, illustrating various manufacturing techniques, by a total of about 6000 items. The existing strong relationships with many companies from the textile district have enabled the creation of a contemporary section. Every season, since 1997, this section displays to the public a selection of fabrics produced in the district that are particularly significant in terms of technological innovation and aesthetic value. In addition the Museum conserves a rich archive of sample books from local enterprises. The Museum also carries on education activities aimed at all age groups for the promotion of the textile culture and valorization of its collections.
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