Textile Museum

This gem is the country’s only textile museum, and is as unappreciated as the art itself. In two historic mansions, its cool, dimly lit galleries hold exquisite fabrics and carpets dating from 3000 BC to the present. Accompanying wall commentary explains how the textiles mirror the social, spiritual, economic and aesthetic values of the societies that made them. Founded in 1925, its collection includes rare kimonos, pre-Columbian weaving, American quilts and Ottoman embroidery. (Find the flaw: traditional textile artists, from Islamic carpet makers to Appalachian quilters, weave intentional flaws into their work to avoid mimicking God’s perfection.) Upstairs, the learning center will keep older kids entertained – and learning – for hours. Hands-on (literally) exhibits demonstrate weaving patterns, dying techniques and lots more. Group tours are available by reservation from 10:15am to 3pm Monday to Saturday (from 1:30pm Thursday).