Museo Textil de Oaxaca (Oaxaca Textile Museum), Oaxaca

The Oaxaca Textile Museum (Museo Textil de Oaxaca) is situated in the heart of the Historic Center of Oaxaca. It finds its home in a building called Antelo House (Casa Antelo).

Originally, Antelo House was a part of the orchard belonging to the Santo Domingo Soriano Convent, which was later known as the San Pablo Convent. The convent was established back in 1529. The farm where the museum currently stands was first owned by Miguel de Bustamante.

Between 1764 and 1771, Bustamante built a one-story adobe house. Later, Antelo y Bermúdez acquired the land and replaced the house with a new two-story building. In the 19th century, the building became the Hospital de Bélen. In 2008, the building was purchased and renovated by the Alfredo Harp Helú Oaxaca Foundation. The restored space now houses the Textile Museum of Oaxaca.

The museum promotes the exploration of textiles, including design, texture, techniques, and creative processes. It connects tradition with the contemporary era and showcases shared characteristics of weaves from Oaxaca and other cultures through temporary exhibitions. Visitors discover parallels between diverse cultures and Mexican artistry.

The museum houses an impressive collection of approximately 7,000 textile pieces. These items are divided among nine permanent private collections, including those dedicated to Oaxacan, Mexican, and global textiles. The oldest textiles in the collection date back to the 19th century. Noteworthy pieces include the tlàmachtēntli, a fragment of a huipil crafted with feathered thread, as well as sashes, girdles, and embellishments from various regions across the country.