The National Heritage Museum
The National Heritage Museum at the University of Jordan was established in 1981 and opened in its current location behind the "Clock Tower" next to the Archaeological Museum in 1986. The establishment of the museum was in response to the university's strong interest in preserving Jordan's heritage, safeguarding the legacy of the ancestors from loss and extinction, and creating a cultural record that documents the achievements of Jordanian society while reflecting the prevailing social values.
The museum aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the daily life of Jordanians in the villages and the Badia during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It displays a variety of artifacts, including agricultural tools, clothing, textiles, jewelry, cosmetics, handicrafts, hunting tools, and traditional medicine. Some of these items were collected by students from the Department of Sociology at the university, while the collection has been expanded through purchases and gifts.
As part of the university’s commitment to enhancing the museum's infrastructure, the National Heritage Museum was renovated in 2008. This project included updating display techniques, expanding interior spaces, and equipping the museum with the latest preservation equipment for heritage collections.
In a related development, School of Archaeology and Tourism celebrated the completion of the museum’s renovation project in November 2024. This project, which began the previous year, was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the American Center of Research (ACOR), and the Sustainability of Cultural Heritage with Community Engagement (SCHEB) project.
The local and international attention to cultural heritage reflects the importance of museums in social and economic development, in addition to their role as cultural and educational centers, emphasizing the university’s role in protecting and developing heritage.
The modernization of exhibition methods and the development of interior spaces contribute to enhancing the understanding of future generations of Jordan’s civilizational heritage and creating a sense of belonging.