Philatelic Photograph: Ecury Mansion of the National Archaeological Museum - Oranjestad, Aruba

Ecury Mansion

of the 

National Archaeological Museum

Oranjestad, Aruba

N 12° 31.252 W 070° 02.295

Quick Description: 

The National Archaeological Museum of Aruba is located at Schelpstraat 42 in downtown Oranjestad.

Long Description:

In the late 1980’s historic building in downtown Oranjestad was acquired and restoration of for a new home for its Archaeological Museum. A complex of single and two-story historic buildings was formerly the property of the Ecury family. They feature Dutch colonial architecture of the late 19th and 20th centuries.

In 1997 the Aruban Government bought the complex for the National Archaeological Museum. In 2006 restoration and construction work began on the historic buildings with the addition of exhibition space. The final design for the exhibit was completed in November 2007 and in December 2007 the museum’s employees moved to the new location to set up the exhibits. The central building of the Ecury complex is an excellent example of 20th century Aruban Colonial architecture. The two story green and white mansion is the newest building of the museum. It was originally build in 1929. It features beautiful decorative woodworking over the first floor portico and the second floor balcony.

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The stamp is part of a souvenir sheet of four stamps issued on July 3, 2009 featuring Aruban Architecture.