The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the woollen textile industry in the Mississippi River Valley region. Registered under the business number 119043750RR0001, the museum operates within the annex of the former Rosamond Woolen Company in Almonte, Ontario.

History and Location

The museum is housed in a historic mill complex originally constructed in the late 19th century. The warehouse portion of the annex dates back to around 1872 and features distinctive architectural elements such as rubble stone construction, 16-over-16 double-hung sash windows, and decorative stained glass transoms with sheep and floral motifs designed in an Art Nouveau style. An office addition built around 1904 includes segmental arch windows with radiating voussoirs and red sandstone quoins. The site forms part of one of the few surviving Ottawa Valley textile manufacturing complexes from that era.

The Rosamond Woollen Company, founded by James Rosamund and developed further by his sons Bennett and William in partnership with George Stephen of Montreal, was a major textile manufacturer active from the 1860s to the early 20th century. At its peak, the mill was one of Canada's largest and most progressive woollen mills.

Museum Mission and Activities

Established in 1988 after acquiring the mill annex, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is dedicated to preserving the industrial, social, and cultural heritage of the region's textile industry. It combines traditional static and working displays of textile equipment and processes, offering visitors an interactive experience of the fiber arts and industrial textiles.

The museum also functions as a center for education and research related to textile history and fibre arts, serving as a hub for the study of industrial textiles in Canada. It promotes awareness of the impact the textile industry had on the development of the Mississippi Valley and surrounding communities.

Heritage Designations

The museum building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1986 in recognition of its significance in Canadian industrial history. The Ontario Heritage Trust secured a heritage easement to protect the property in 1989, followed by official designation under the Ontario Heritage Act by the Town of Almonte in 1994. These measures ensure the conservation of the museum's historic fabric and legacy.

Recognition

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum has been recognized as a National Trust Resilient Historic Places winner, highlighting its success in preserving and activating a historic industrial site for public benefit.

Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and preservation efforts, the museum plays a vital role in celebrating and maintaining Canada’s industrial textile heritage.

Note: The museum’s official website is mvTM.ca.