Tekstilmuseet

About the museum

The Tekstilmuseet was founded in 1996 under the name Textilforum and moved into the restored buildings of the Herning Klædefabrik, a cloth factory from 1876. Its collection goes back to the Herning Museum, founded in 1892, which as early as 1960 had set up its own department for early knitwear production; these holdings moved into the new building after 1996. In 2017 the museum received its present name; it belongs to Museum Midtjylland.

The theme is the textile and clothing industry, which shaped Central and West Jutland like hardly any other branch of the economy. The main exhibition "Made in Midtjylland" shows how the industry grew explosively in the 1950s, how small family businesses sprang up in basements and rear buildings, and how the region ultimately supplied the whole world – told with original objects, films and memories of eyewitnesses.

In the old spinning hall stand historic knitting, weaving and sewing machines. Volunteers of the Tekstillauget usually start them up on Wednesdays; visitors can also see the dark wool chambers and a faithfully furnished sewing room where underwear was sewn until 1996. For children there is the "Børnefabrikken", a playful replica of a small home factory of the 1950s. The museum shop sells textiles made on the museum's own machines.

Highlights

• "Made in Midtjylland" exhibition on the textile boom of the 1950s
• Historic knitting machines and looms, often running on Wednesdays
• Dark wool chambers and faithfully furnished sewing room
• "Børnefabrikken" – play factory for children
• Museum shop with textiles from the museum's own machines

Permanent exhibitions

• Made in Midtjylland – The history of the Central Jutland textile industry from the boom of the 1950s to worldwide trade, told with original objects, illustrations, films and eyewitness accounts.
• Spinderiet, uldkamrene og systuen – Historic machines and looms in the old spinning hall, the factory's wool chambers and a completely preserved small sewing room; on selected days volunteers demonstrate the machines.
• Børnefabrikken – Play area for children in the former wet finishing room: a child-friendly home factory of the 1950s in which clothing is made, packed and taken to the train station.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Museum Midtjylland (selbstständige, staatlich anerkannte Institution)

Director

Kristine Holm-Jensen (Museumsdirektørin von Museum Midtjylland)

Visitors per year

approx. 8,414 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Members free.

Accessibility

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

The entire museum, including café and shop, is wheelchair-accessible. Pets not allowed, only guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

In the "Børnefabrikken", children playfully sew, pack and ship clothing like in a small home factory of the 1950s. During school holidays there are creative workshops for families, for example in the autumn holidays. Baby changing facilities at the restrooms in the coat check area; strollers are not allowed in the exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Small café with coffee, tea, cold drinks and snacks. Museum shop with textiles from the museum's own machines, books, toys and clothing. Free coat check and lockable lockers; large bags, backpacks and umbrellas are not allowed in the exhibition. Eating and drinking not allowed in the exhibitions; school classes can eat in the "Værkstedet" by arrangement.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit