Social Studies Field Trips

The Textile Museum

Celebrating Textiles Day (the first Saturday in June) at the Textile Museum.
Photograph courtesy of the Textile Museum

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

NAME: Textile Museum, The
STREET: 2320 S St., NW
CITY: Washington	STATE: DC	ZIP: 20008	COUNTY: D.C.
PHONE: 202-667-0441		FEES: None. Suggested contribution, $5.
HOURS AND DAYS: Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. Sunday, 1 - 5 pm.
METRO: Red Line to Dupont Circle (8 min. walk).

GRADES: 1 3 5	UNITS: Clothing, Japan, 13 Colonies, Explorers
CONTACT: Education Dept., Ms. Delfico	PHONE: 202-667-0441, ext. 35
TYPE: Museum	FEES: None. $.50 donation suggested
DAYS: M T W Th F	HOURS: 10 am - 4 pm (M,T,W,F) 1 -4 pm (Th)
LUNCH: No. Garden is available, weather permitting.
GROUP SIZE: 4-40, flexible
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Yes, but limited. Arrange beforehand, a different entrance is needed.
LENGTH OF TOUR: Up to an hour, depends on curriculum

DESCRIPTION: Textiles are from all over the world, especially the Eastern Hemisphere and South America. Museum includes Pre-Columbian Peruvian and Native American textiles. Education programs are coordinated with rotating exhibits. Museum will meet a group's specific needs and interests. For self-guided explorations, docents will make contact with teacher to tailor a tour to emphasize curricula. Baskets of hands-on objects (such as weaving tools and materials) vary in each exhibit.

There is a new "Textile Learning Center." It is experiential, multicultural and multidisciplinary. Each example is put into a cultural context. The center includes oversized textiles so students can actually see how each textile is made and can touch it. About six textile stations are in the center at a time. The center also includes an entire room with photo murals so students can see items in context. Students can actually do activities with examples. A new teacher packet including pre-visit information, a poster and background information for the exhibits is being developed.

RESOURCES

• Brochure and packet

• MCPS Activity Plan For This Field Trip Site

  Field Trip Planning Tools

  • MCPS Field Trip Checklist
  • Items to Bring on the Trip
  • Field Trip Tips
  • Tips for Primary Grades

  Internet Sites

  • Textile Museum