LOWELL — Jonathan Stevens is, even he admits, the unlikeliest of museum directors. Of course, the American Textile History Museum is not your standard museum.

Located in the heart of this former mill town, the museum features floor-length industrial age machines, millions of textile samples and a smattering of unexpected treasures — from century-old dresses to a case featuring cross-sections of baseballs. The problem has never been finding works to exhibit. It has been how to balance the budget and also get people through the door.