History

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The Textiles and Clothing Museum collection began as a teaching tool for the Department of Textiles and Clothing in the 1920s. Now numbering nearly 9,000 items, it is a unique and irreplaceable record of the material culture and history of different societies, cultures, and time periods. Dating primarily from the mid-1800s through present day, it represents international fashion trends, everyday wear of Midwesterners and a great diversity of cultural traditions in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Morrill Hall

The museum is located in Morrill Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus. The Morrill Hall renovation was completed in 2007 and a re-dedication ceremony held April 20th. It is the first example of sustainable building on Iowa State University’s campus. Located within the museum are:

• The Mary Alice Gallery, named in honor of alumna Mary Alice Anderson Reinhardt
• The Donna Rae Danielson Textile Conservation Laboratory
• The Waldee Storage Facility named in honor of Bertha and Edward Waldee.

Textiles and Clothing Museum Collection

The early involvement of Textiles and Clothing Department faculty shaped the museum collection’s dual focus on ethnic textiles and pragmatic examples of everyday dress in the U.S.. When the Textiles and Clothing Museum opened in 2007, the name was retained as a reference to the former department. The collection still operates as a teaching program within the apparel, merchandising, and design program of the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management. It includes nearly 9,000 examples of historic and global cultural dress, accessories, and textiles.