Vologda lace has been produced in the city and surrounding villages since at least the 18th century, and the museum dedicated to it holds the most comprehensive collection of examples in Russia — from simple early-19th-century household pieces to the elaborate tablecloths and mantilla-style articles that won international prizes at 19th-century exhibitions.
The technique is distinctive: Vologda lace is produced using bobbins (not needles) and is characterised by a solid, continuous design element — usually a flowing plant or bird motif — on a net ground. The museum has working demonstrations on some days; the craft is still taught in the city, and the lace itself is sold at the museum shop and in craft markets throughout the centre. The quality and design of pieces for sale varies considerably; the museum shop has the most reliable selection.