The nation’s first interactive tanning museum, the MILE (Museum of Interactive Leather Experience), is set to open its doors on Saturday, September 27th. This innovative museum will offer a fresh, dynamic perspective on the history and sustainable technological evolution of the leather district in the Chiampo Valley.
One year after opening to the public, MILE celebrates the official inauguration of its new spaces with authorities, businesses, and local representatives. MILE—an acronym for Museum of Interactive Leather Experience—is the first Italian interactive and experiential museum dedicated to the tanning industry. The museum will be in Arzignano (Vicenza), a global hub for the sector, at Via del Lavoro 22 (within the industrial zone), home to the headquarters of the Distretto Veneto della Pelle (Veneto leather district). This entity, in collaboration with Acque del Chiampo Società Benefit, meticulously planned, developed and brought the project to fruition. The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 AM. This timing strategically coincides with the autumn editions of Lineapelle and the Simac Tanning Tech fair, both held in Milan from Tuesday, September 23rd, to Thursday, September 25th. Placing the official opening on a pre-holiday was a deliberate choice to ensure broad participation, inviting not only entrepreneurs but also technicians, employees, industry professionals, and students from tanning institutes. The realization of this ambitious project was made possible by a significant contribution of over 121,000 euros from the Veneto Region, part of its initiatives supporting cultural, creative and audiovisual enterprises. Notably, the project proposal itself achieved an impressive third place out of 308 applications from various sectors submitted to Venice.
The MILE Museum is the product of a robust collaboration between public and private entities. Acque del Chiampo Società Benefit played a fundamental role as a co-protagonist in the structure’s construction and management, also contributing valuable archival materials like photographs and documents for display. Furthermore, the project benefits from institutional partnerships with Arzignano Capitale della Pelle and IPA Ovest Vicentino. The Distretto Veneto della Pelle successfully engaged all relevant trade associations within the supply chain, who are actively contributing (and will continue to do so in the coming months) to enrich the museum’s content. Pleiadi Science Farmer, a nationally operating company renowned for museum design and scientific dissemination through innovative and original approaches, serves as the strategic technical partner for the area’s development and for delivering educational and workshop activities. The core vision behind the project is to narrate the history and sustainable technological evolution of the Chiampo Valley’s tanning supply chain in a fresh, engaging manner. Simultaneously, it aims to underscore the crucial importance of connecting the past with contemporary challenges and future opportunities within the constantly evolving tanning sector. This multifunctional, immersive and captivating space is designed to spark curiosity and draw in schools, the public and businesses. Adopting an innovative approach that diverges from traditional museum concepts, MILE is conceived as an attractive and engaging environment, brought to life through modern technologies such as video mapping. This offers a dynamic portrayal of the history, technological advancements, and sustainable evolution of the district’s tanning industry. The primary objective of the promoters is to seamlessly combine historical, educational, environmental and research aspects to convey the region’s unique know-how and rich history. The museum also aims to highlight the industry’s steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation, showcasing the extraordinary capacity of the Veneto leather supply chain to drive progress.
Specifically, the key objectives, targeted at the public, institutions and public opinion alike, are to preserve and enhance the local cultural and historical heritage of the leather processing industry in the Arzignano district and to showcase the sustainability and innovation journey of its entire supply chain. Beyond that, the museum seeks to promote the regional identity to both local and international visitors and to educate new generations by offering a novel, experiential and interactive learning tool to explore the world of tanning.
The MILE Museum features modular spaces and a design intended to evoke an industrial setting and chemical experimentation laboratories in the visitor’s mind, with blue as the dominant color, contrasted by the natural tones of leather. The museum is organized into six principal areas:
1. Entrance with Immersive Video: an introduction to the museum experience.
2. History and Evolution: a journey through the historical milestones and developmental stages of leather processing.
3. Video Mapping Area: dedicated to the supply chain and industry growth, this versatile space can also host events and meetings.
4. Innovation, Research, and Sustainability: an in-depth exploration of the environmental efforts within the industry and the region.
5. Inspiration and Creativity: a creative exploration of leather as a material.
6. Interactive Laboratory: a dedicated educational and didactic workshop space.
“The MILE represents a significant and important step,” stated Matteo Macilotti, Director of the Distretto Veneto della Pelle. “Our industry actively strives, through concrete daily projects, to enhance a supply chain that, until now, has told too little of its own story. Today, more than ever, it needs to do so in an innovative way, shedding the prejudices that have sometimes surrounded it. I extend my gratitude to the board of directors, the members, and all the companies that have believed in this project from the outset, as well as to those who have supported us thus far and will continue to do so, including the valley’s municipalities, who enthusiastically embraced the initiative.”
“This project,” affirmed Riccardo Boschetti, President of the Distretto Veneto della Pelle, “is the culmination of our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and education. We are eager to see MILE become a vibrant hub, engaging companies, and their clients, as well as the local community and schools. It will help foster an understanding of the cultural, scientific, and social impact of the tanning tradition, while also conferring an objective added value to the products offered by companies in this region, making them even more recognizable.”
“The idea of a Leather Museum in our territory,” shared Lucrezia Maria Mecenero, Project Manager for the Distretto Veneto della Pelle, “is a dream that has been discussed for a long time. I am thrilled that, thanks to the collaboration with our technical and institutional partners and the endorsement of the Region and territorial bodies, it has become a reality. What will make this ‘site’ unique is the innovative and engaging approach we intend to adopt: through new technologies, we will take museum visitors on a journey that will immerse them not only in the past of our sector and our territory but also, and most importantly, in its future, a future built on innovation and ever-increasing sustainability.”