How long is the tour?

The tour runs approximately one hour.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the tour starts.

How large are the groups?

Groups are up to 14 guests to keep the visit intimate and readable up close.

Can I take photos inside the lab?

Photography policies vary; ask at check-in. Conservators typically prohibit flash and handling of objects to protect textiles.

Behind the Loom: Inside the Textile Lab at St. John the Divine | Guided Tour | Workshop

Q: Where do I check in?

Check in at the St. John the Divine Visitor Center located just past Security inside the Cathedral's front entrance at 1047 Amsterdam Ave.

Inside the Textile Lab at St. John the Divine is a one-hour, behind-the-scenes tour inside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York that gives visitors rare access to the conservation studio responsible for some of the cathedral’s most fragile and significant textiles. The experience begins at the St. John the Divine Visitor Center located just past Security inside the Cathedral's front entrance at 1047 Amsterdam Ave, where guests gather for a brief orientation before entering the laboratory space reserved for professional treatment and research.

Inside the lab you’ll see a convergence of craft and science: oversized light tables where woven structures are worked on edge-to-edge, microscopes that reveal fiber morphology, humidity-controlled cabinets that buffer against seasonal swings, and scaffolding used to support monumental woven hangings during assessment. The lab cares for woven hangings, needlepoint, upholstery, costumes and other textiles, and the Barberini Life of Christ tapestries—importantly noted as the reason the lab was founded—are the anchor of much of the studio’s research and public interpretation.

Conservators describe decisions in technical terms—choosing reversible adhesives, matching thread tensions, and documenting losses with high-resolution photography—yet their work also reads like storytelling. Every patched warp and historical mend visible in a piece provides clues about how it was used, who repaired it, and how tastes shifted over time. That combination of detective work and hands-on craft is what makes the visit engaging for museum professionals, textile students, designers, and curious travelers who want to look beyond galleries and into the pipeline of preservation.

This tour is a distinctive part of New York’s cultural ecosystem because it bridges a monumental religious building with cutting-edge conservation practice. In a city of blockbuster museums, access to an active conservation lab within a cathedral offers perspective on stewardship—how institutions care for material culture across generations. The group size is kept small—up to 14 guests—so the dialogue is direct and the demonstrations readable up close.

Practicalities are straightforward: the tour lasts about one hour, has a minimum age of 12, and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours prior. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for brief standing; lab spaces often require clear bags and minimal personal items for safety. Whether you’re an object-lover, a maker curious about historic techniques, or a visitor seeking a deeper cathedral experience, this lab tour converts backstage conservation into an accessible, illuminating visit that changes how you look at textiles and the institutions that preserve them. Plan to arrive early to pass through cathedral security, reserve your spot in advance because tours fill, and allow time afterward to visit the cathedral interior or nearby Morningside Park—extensions of a visit that makes every stitch and faded dye feel like a living record.