Deutsches Textilmuseum

The Deutsches Textilmuseum is located in the historic Linn quarter of Krefeld and is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of textile cultures.

The museum’s collection is of international significance and comprises more than 30,000 objects. It displays textiles, garments and woven fabrics from all regions of the world; the holdings range from ancient textiles to contemporary works.

The collection originated in the late 19th century as instructional material for vocational training in the local textile industry. It was supplemented by the collection of the sculptor Jakob Krauth, from which the Königliche Gewebesammlung emerged in 1880. In 1936 the collection passed into municipal ownership. In the post-war period, the need to conserve damaged ecclesiastical and historic textiles led to the establishment of the Zentrale Forschungsstelle für die Restaurierung historischer Gewebe, which was affiliated with the museum. Since 1975 the museum and the research centre have formed an institutional unit; in 1981 they moved into a new building at Andreasmarkt, and since then the institution has been known as Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld.

The affiliated Zentrale Forschungsstelle concentrates primarily on the conservation of the museum’s own holdings and on preparing objects for exhibitions. It also accepts restoration commissions from third parties, such as churches, other museums or private collectors. The aim of the work is not invisible “mending,” but the preservation of the textiles’ historical meaning and the retention of signs of use as part of their documentary value.

The scholarly infrastructure includes a reference library of about 9,000 volumes, regarded as one of the largest specialist libraries on textiles, and holding rare works as well as historical fashion magazines. Accompanying the exhibitions, the museum offers specialist lectures and guided tours.