The museum had been designed by
Foster + Partners with five solar thermal towers that is supposed to act as chimneys to draw cool air through the building. The towers are shaped like falcon wings to commemorate Zayed's love of
falconry. The British Museum would assist with curation and loan about 500 of its treasures to the Zayed National Museum. According to
The New York Times, the British Museum thinks that it is unlikely that any items would be loaned under the current contract, which ended in 2019. In June 2018, a new partnership was announced between the British Museum and Zayed National Museum. In July 2019, the
archaeologist Dr. Peter Magee was appointed Director. Its opening had been delayed many times. Scheduled to be complete in 2012, the opening was delayed to 2013, It opened on 3 Dec 2025 where UAE President inaugurated Zayed National Museum in presence of Rulers of Emirates as part of 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations. The inauguration took place as part of the UAE’s celebrations marking the 54th Eid Al Etihad. Following its inauguration, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, together with the Rulers of the Emirates and senior sheikhs, toured the Zayed National Museum’s galleries. Inside, they explored exhibits ranging from documents and archaeological artefacts to personal belongings of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The displays also feature audio recordings, photographs, and archival footage that capture defining moments in the nation’s history. The museum houses more than
3,000 artefacts, with
1,500 currently on display, each narrating the story of the UAE and its people. Alongside its permanent collection, the museum offers a space for temporary exhibitions and
Al Masar Garden — a 600‑metre open‑air gallery showcasing the landscapes and stories that shaped the country. Inside the museum, there are two boats; an 18 m long Bronze Age replica created through traditional techniques and materials. This boat was extensively documented and sailed as part of an archaeological experiment. The other boat is part of a museum display and has a tunnel inside the hull. There is also a 1966
Chrysler Newport black sedan, fully restored, in which Sheikh Zayed drove in deserts. The rest of the museum holds archaeological artefacts from the UAE along with ephemera and gifts to Sheikh Zayed. Six permanent galleries anchor the museum’s narrative: •
Our Beginning: Sheikh Zayed’s life, vision, and the unification of the Emirates. •
Through Our Nature: The UAE’s diverse environments and sustainable traditions. •
To Our Ancestors: Archaeological finds reflecting millennia of human presence. •
Through Our Connections: Early communities, science, and shared knowledge. •
By Our Coasts: Maritime traditions and seafaring heritage. •
To Our Roots: Emirati identity, customs, and traditional livelihoods. To celebrate its opening, the museum launched a vibrant cultural programme with live performances, workshops, guided tours, and creative activities. == Architecture ==