This unique collection houses more than 23,000 clothing and textile-related artifacts with local, national, and international significance. Founded in 1972, the Collection includes everyday wear and designer clothes for men, women and children from different continents and spanning over 350 years of history. In addition to examples of textiles from different continents, artifacts that depict clothing and relate to the production and embellishment of cloth are also part of our holdings. These include looms, spindles, needlework tools, patterns, historical fashion magazines and photographs.
An integral part of teaching, learning, and research in the Department of Human Ecology, the Collection also facilitates community outreach for the University of Alberta. It is a unique reference tool for gaining insights into areas such as apparel and surface design and technology, historical and material culture inquiry, textile science and technology, and museum practice, including conservation and exhibition curatorship. In-house exhibitions are continually presented, some by professional staff members and others developed within undergraduate and graduate courses.
We are among the five largest clothing and textiles collections in Canada. In addition to the Mactaggart Collection of the University of Alberta, we are the only collection of its size and significance held in a university setting in the country. Our artifacts are acquired for use in the classroom and for research. They are accessible to students and to researchers on-site and through our Web site.
OUR MISSION
As part of the University of Alberta, the Clothing and Textile Collection aims to support discovery, dissemination and application of new knowledge through teaching and learning, research and creative activity, outreach and partnerships with communities. Placed within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, we draw on the social and natural sciences, the arts and the humanities to facilitate research and teaching priorities both at the University of Alberta and beyond. We welcome collaborative, multidisciplinary work and seek strong connections to the external community. Through acquisition, artifact use in the classroom, Web access, exhibitions, research appointments, displays and tours we aim to transfer knowledge and interest in our collection to engage individuals worldwide.
ALCTC Pattern Project: Part 1 – Women’s Wear 1760-1812
Virtual Exhibition starting June 28, 2024
*
Curious Fashions, Performative Identities
Human Ecology Gallery
April 12, 2024 - October 22, 2024 (extended from October 11)
Hours
Summer hours (June 13-August 30): Tuesday & Wednesdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rest of the year: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: CLOSED
Call 780-492-4413 for holiday closures.
Address
1-15 Human Ecology Building - South Entrance (only entrance with access to Gallery)
(corner of 116th Street and 89 Avenue)
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB T6G 2N1
EXHIBITIONS
- The Human Ecology Gallery can be accessed by everyone and welcomes visitors from the community. Self-guided exhibition viewings can take place from Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The gallery is located in the lobby of the Human Ecology Building and entrance is free to all.
Please enter on the south end of the Human Ecology Building to access the Human Ecology Gallery. There is wheelchair access to get to the gallery.
TOURS
- University of Alberta students in all disciplines as well as faculty members, researchers and museum peers can access the Collection for research visits and tours of collection storage. Interested parties from these groups must contact the Collections Manager a month ahead of their desired appointment date to check for availability. A maximum of eight individuals can be accommodated per tour. Tours of collection storage are offered by appointment only and are subject to availability.
- Class visits for University of Alberta students and senior high school students are offered by appointment only and are subject to availability. Two months notice is required.
- Members of the general public can access the Collection for research visits and tours of collection storage but a discretionary donation is suggested for these external groups. Interested parties must contact the Collections Manager two months ahead of their desired appointment date to check for availability. There is a minimum of two (2) and maximum of eight (8) individuals per group. Tours of collection storage for the general public are offered by appointment only and are subject to availability. Availability depends on the workload and/or schedule of the Collections Manager. Please be advised that during the fall and winter terms we have a limited capacity to accommodate general public requests and normally offer only one collection storage tour a month when possible. General public requests are provided on a first come first served basis.
Please enter on the south end of the Human Ecology Building to access collection storage when you have a pre-arranged appointment. There is wheelchair access to get to the building.
Related Links
Search the collection database