Texture

About the museum

Texture grew out of the collection of the Kortrijk schoolteacher Bert Dewilde, who in the early 1960s began keeping tools, clothing, photographs and books on the flax industry. In 1982 that collection became the Nationaal Vlasmuseum (National Flax Museum) in the Beeuwsaerthoeve; in 1998 the Kant- en Linnenmuseum (Lace and Linen Museum) was added. In 2000 the volunteers handed over both museums to the city of Kortrijk.

To give the museum a new profile, it moved to a flax-shipping warehouse from 1912 in the centre of Kortrijk, on the bank of the Leie, and in 2014 it was given the name Texture. The warehouse of the Linen Thread Company is one of the most important remains of the flax industry. An extra floor in the shape of a golden crown refers to the Leie as the Golden River, where the flax was retted.

In three rooms the museum tells the story of Kortrijk flax and linen as an international top product. In the Wonder Room on the ground floor you can taste, feel and test, as in a laboratory, what flax means in our daily lives. The Leie Room is a labyrinth through the history of flax and linen. Under the crown, the Treasure Room shows the textile collection with damask, lace and fine weaves. Studio Texture offers workshops for lace, tufting and bio-based materials.

Highlights

• Wonder Room: museum lab on flax in our daily lives
• Leie Room: labyrinth through the history of flax and linen
• Treasure Room with damask, lace and fine weaves
• Flax-shipping warehouse from 1912 with a golden crown on the Leie
• Studio Texture with workshops for lace, tufting and biomaterials
• Family game about Staf Stekel

Permanent exhibitions

• Wonderkamer – On the ground floor you discover in a playful museum lab what flax means in our daily lives: you can taste, feel and test.
• Leiekamer – A labyrinth of objects and stories about the history of the flax and linen industry in the region.
• Schatkamer – Under the crowned roof the museum shows its textile collection with damask, lace and fine weaves; the pieces change regularly.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Stad Kortrijk

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month for everyone

Free admission for holders of a museum pass (sold at Texture for €64.95). Holders of a UiTPAS Zuidwest collect points; with the social rate you get 80% off various activities. With the C'ART you get 25% off the admission price. Deferred tickets are available via Applaus! for certain workshops and drop-in guided tours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has a spacious lift with Braille signage and an adapted toilet on every floor; the wide passages are wheelchair-friendly. There are two loan wheelchairs and portable seats. Texts and screens are readable at every eye level and have contrast for people with low vision; during guided tours there are earpieces to amplify the guide's voice. An adapted parking space is in front of the door. There is a step-by-step plan for visitors sensitive to stimuli and an accessibility guide from Toegankelijk Vlaanderen.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children up to and including 12 years visit the museum free of charge. The offer includes the family game Op stap met Staf Stekel (from 6 years), workshops such as Playstation vlasmachine and De Vouwkeuken (from 6 years), De Molenbrigade (from 5 years) and birthday parties with De magische vlastroon (from 9 years). The museum is fully pushchair-accessible; there is a changing table in the ground-floor toilet, and you can warm milk and baby food in a microwave.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the ring road around Kortrijk (R8) towards Meensepoort and Noordstraat. There is a bicycle park on the museum square. By bicycle you also reach the museum via the Leie.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Museum bistro Kaffee Damast with restaurant, brunch and jazz (Tuesday to Sunday; winter 1 November to 30 April 9:30–18:00, summer 1 May to 31 October 9:30–19:00, Friday and Saturday until 23:00); museum shop and web shop. Free PIN-code lockers in the entrance hall; items larger than 34 × 22 cm may not be taken inside. Free Wi-Fi from the city of Kortrijk throughout the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit