At the time of the Museum's founding in 1870, Boston and the surrounding area were at the center of the American textile industry. In 1877, the first costume entered the museum - an 18th-century brocade court dress. The Textile and Fashion Arts Collection now holds approximately 40,000 objects and is global in scope, ranging from Egyptian pleated dresses from 2323-2150 BC to contemporary haute couture. Through Google Arts & Culture you can take a virtual tour through the MFA's astounding textile and costume collection.