You’ll be amazed at what has been preserved in time in downtown Oranjestad in the historic Ecury family home now museum.  Indian artifacts dating back the Pre-Ceramic period of 2500 BC are on display for your discovery. The renovated historic Ecury complex in downtown Oranjestad has been transformed from a family home to a modern museum that preserves Aruba’s Amerindian cultural heritage. The oldest part is a cunucu house built in 1870 by the grandparents of Boy Ecury, a young Aruban hero of World War II who lived in the house from 1922 – 1937. The newest section is a large mansion built in 1929. They are now integrated with a new building housing a state-of-the-art 21st century museum especially designed to preserve valuable artifacts.  The three periods of Amerindian habitation are documented: Pre-Ceramic period of 2500 BC – 1000 AD when semi-nomadic bands of Amerindians migrated from the South or Central American mainland; Ceramic Period of the Caquetio Indians, the hunters-fishers-gatherers who inhabited Aruba from 900 – 1515 AD until enslaved and taken to Hispaniola; and the Historic Period from 1515 – 1880 AD. Special technology allows visitors to take an active role in discovering the past.  Of extraordinary interest is the cistern used by the Ecury family to store rainwater gathered from the roof. Expositions include a film on ancient Amerindian life from the Field Museum in Chicago and works by contemporary island artists with historical themes. Opening hours: 10am–5pm week days and 10am–2pm weekends. Closed on Mondays and some public holidays.