American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts

Founded in 1960, the American Textile History Museum was originally located in Andover, Massachusetts and called the “Merrimack Valley Textile Museum.”  Caroline Stevens Rogers, who was both a dyer and a weaver in the textile industry, founded the museum. She wanted to create an establishment that would both educate and record the significance of textile manufacturing.

For over three decades, the Museum served and educated the public with historical exhibits of machinery, costumes, textiles, and the archives within the Osborne library, but it temporarily closed in 1992.

In 1992, the Museum purchased the Kitson Building in the historic district of Lowell and began restoring the building to its original beauty. After five years of renovations supported by generous public and private donations, the Museum opened its doors again in 1997. The Museum has continued to expand, opening more programs for students, scouts, and the Textile Learning Center for people of all ages.  The Chace Foundation granted the Museum funds as well, which were used to establish an online virtual museum.

There are many restaurants in Lowell located near the Museum. When the Museum is re-opened to the public, it is one Lowell attraction that shouldn’t be missed.