Museums of Aruba

Aruban cultural heritage is studied, documented and preserved by the archaeological, historical and Numismatic museums. The Aruban museums invite you to a visit and to learn about our history and culture.

Historical Museum

The economy and way of life in Aruba upon the arrival of the oil refinery in 1929 is portrayed in the historical museum. This museum is housed in the Fort Zoutman which was originally built in 1798. The Aruba Historical Museum is located in the Fort Zoutman Willem III Tower and was established in 1983 by the Fundacion Museo Arubano. It contains a large collection of artifacts and paintings from Aruba's earliest through those reminiscent of colonial times up to the present day.

Archaeological Museum

The oldest part of Aruba's cultural heritage is exhibited in the archaeological museum. The permanent collection gives the visitor a taste of early periods in the history and the pre-history of the island. Ceramic artifacts, shell and stone tools and ornaments are on display for all those who would like to know about Aruba's first cultures. The cultures present on our island before the arrival of Europeans left their distinct mark on our landscape, language and conscience. The archaeological museum exhibits ceramic, shell and stone artifacts which a.o. portray the customs, beliefs and traditions of these first cultures. Visit IACA.

Numismatic Museum

The numismatic museum was founded on November 13, 1981 and lodged the private collection of Mr. J. Mario Odor and is the first Numismatic museum established on Aruba. The museum contained over 35.000 different pieces covering over 400 countries. The numismatic museum is no longer available to the public until further notice.

Aruba Model Train Museum

Opened December 1st 2001. The place is friendly and welcoming. Director J. de Vries built himself a wooden Surinam style house on stilts in the neighborhood bordering the Valero Aruba Refinery smoke stacks and holding tanks. Lago Heights, he reports is a very quiet, peaceful place. Then instead of using the ground space as a garage, he decided to enclose it and house his miniature train collection in it. The idea of opening a model train museum came as he watched his retirement approaching. De Vries has been known on the island for many years as the Ennia insurance man.