1977 – The American Museum of Quilts and Related Arts is founded by the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association as the first quilt museum in the United States.

1984 – The Museum purchases a small Spanish Colonial house on South 2nd Street in San Jose and stays for ten years, growing its permanent collection and program schedule.

1986 – The Museum becomes a public benefit corporation separate from the Association; hires its first paid Executive Director; changes its name to the American Museum of Quilts & Textiles.

1987 – The Museum launches its Educational Outreach program with a curriculum-based program for 5th grade students that weaves the stories of real people from American history with the development of historical quilt patterns. The program has been recognized for “Best Practices in Arts” by Young Audiences of San Jose and Silicon Valley.

1994 – The Museum sells the house on 2nd Street to move to a more central downtown location, beginning more than ten years of occupying a series of rented storefronts around downtown San Jose.

1997 – To establish a sense of place with its identity, the museum changes its name to the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.

1998 – The Museum introduces an education program for 2nd grade students with a hands-on artmaking component.

1999 – The Museum acquires the Porcella Collection of ethnic textiles and garments, bringing its collection to some 450 pieces: 70% quilts from 1880-1940; 10% quilts from 1950-present; 20% ethnic textiles and wearable art.

2003 – The Museum partners with venture philanthropists to form the 520 South First LLC to buy and renovate a historic property – a 13,000 square- foot facility originally built in 1923.

2005 – Grand Opening at 520 South First Street with the inaugural exhibition, Traditions in Transition: Three Views of the Permanent Collection, the first extensive exhibition of the museum’s holdings.

2006 – The Museum begins participation in South First Fridays, a monthly free evening of arts and culture in downtown San Jose’s SoFA arts district.

2006 – The Museum launches Kids Create, a very popular monthly arts and cultural enrichment program for children aged 5 – 10.