About UsRename

The Lace Museum is an antique lace and fashion museum located in Northville, Michigan –approximately 20 miles from the city of Detroit. The Museum is a smaller salon-style museum with a permanent collection that focuses on European and American lace and its influence on fashion and home décor during the 19th century. The Lace Museum was founded in 2012 by Detroit-native and curator Mary Gen Salmon who has extensive experience as both purveyor and merchant of lace throughout the United States.

The Museum houses an extensive collection of Antique hand-made lace and fashion from Central Europe, Ireland, England, and the United States - including outstanding deaccession pieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The deYoung Museum, and The William Penn Museum. The Museum exhibits hand-made Lace, the tools of lacemaking, antique sewing machines, and antique/vintage textiles and clothing. The Museum also offers for sale fine antique lace, as well as antique/vintage textiles, linens, and clothing.

Our exhibits change approximately every 3 to 4 months. Setting Victorian exhibits is a difficult task, as most gowns of this era are strikingly small; this gown for an adult woman bears a 21 inch waistline. (above).

The Lace Museum exhibited at The Grosse Pointe Michigan Antique Show in November of 2018 and we plan on exhibiting again in November of 2019

The Museum entrance under construction in May of 2016.

Owner and Curator:

Mary Gen Salmon. BA. MA. JD

We opened the doors to THE LACE MUSEUM Detroit on November 18, 2016. Our first year, we welcomed nearly 1200 visitors to the Museum!

We have a nice collection of Vintage Gowns and Fashion accessories available in the Museum Store, such as this lovely mid-century Tablecloth

made into an evening gown. (below)

Ruth Adler-Schnee and lace dealer Debbie Jeramias peruse Ruth Adler-Schnee's Mother's Trosseau (on exhibit at The Lace Museum). A fascinating collection of French Laces brought to the United States from pre- WWII Germany.

The space was originally a large closet for janitorial supplies and machinery. (below)

After 6 months of preparation, we finally opened our doors to THE LACE MUSEUM Detroit on November 18, 2016. (below and right).

We are located on the Lower Level of Northville Square:

133 West Main Street Suite #160 Northville, Michigan 48167

Curator: Mary Gen Salmon

PH: (937) 681-7219

FAX# (734) 699-6907

HOURS OF OPERATION:

TUESDAYS 12:00 - 5:00pm

THURSDAYS 12:00 - 5:00pm

BY APPOINTMENT

SATURDAYS 12:00 -5:00pm

NO CHARGE FOR ADMISSION

Sales of Antique Lace,

Linen, Textiles, and Clothing

WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS.

Call or Email for available dates.

It was wonderful meeting the famous Detroit Textile Artist _

Ruth Adler-Schnee.

The Lace Museum now has her mother's Trousseau Collection brought to Detroit from 19th century Germany. It is currently being restored and pieces of the Trousseau are currently on display at The Museum as of April 2019.

Mary Gen Salmon (below and right) and her wonderful 91 year-old Irish Mother (below and left), who was a constant supporter of Mary Gen's dream of opening a Lace Museum. Grandma Geri, as all of the grand kids know her, taught Mary Gen not only the history and glory of Ireland , but also Ireland's contributions to the world of fine Linen. ….long live the appreciation for fine Antique Lace, Irish Linen, and Textiles!!