The main purpose of establishing this museum is the preservation of Jordan's traditional heritage.

The collection represents the life style of Jordanians in villages and badiyah throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Artifacts on display deal with daily life, agriculture, clothing, textiles, jewelry, cosmetic items, crafts, hunting, and traditional medicine.    

The museum's collection has been on display in its present location since 1986. Part of the collection was originally gathered by the students of the Sociology Department, later on the collection was expanded through purchases and gifts.​