Musée Historique des Tissus
Lyon, France. Founded in 1890 with the support of the local Chamber of Commerce, and coordinated by its president Edouard Aynard. Since the mid-19th century, there had been plans for a permanent collection both for educational purposes and to bring together a historical collection representing the local industry. This project was finally realized with donations from local manufacturers of samples which had been shown in the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889. In the following decade, the museum purchased the prestigious private collections of Spitzer (in 1893) and Goncart (in 1897). The collection is divided into Eastern and Western textiles, covering all principle types. The museum includes a conservation studio which has been active since 1985, and a Textiles Centre founded in 1988. Themed exhibitions are frequently held.