It is a purposely built museum which during its planning met controversy over the exterior structure in a historic core, next to the parish church.

[2] After Zarb was appointed as Parish priest of Żabbar, in 1943, he soon realized the opportunity the sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces gave in terms of authentic of historic artifacts.

Being a researcher and a scholar, he listed all the belongings of the sanctuary – among which are weapons, slave chains, model ships, church vestments, altar fronts and votive paintings – which the Parish held.

[3] The paintings include works by Rocco Buhagiar, Gio Nicola Buhagiar,[citation needed] Rafel Bonnici Calì,[15] Michele Busuttil, Tousaint Busuttil,[citation needed] Giuseppe Calì,[6] Giuseppe Maria Caruana, Giovanni Battista Conti, Giuseppe D'Arena, Stefano Erardi, Rafael Gagliardi, Tommaso Madiona,[citation needed] Mattia Preti,[1][6] Italo Horatio Serge, Filippo Venuti and Francesco Zahra.

[1][16] The post-war Baroque exterior design[1] of the museum building faced some controversy from the planning authority, however the permit was subsequently approved.

[citation needed] On September 5, 1954, the museum was officiated[16] by Jackie Frendo Azzoppardi and blessed by Monsignor Emmanuel Galea.

A commission of six volunteers, and the current Parish priest serving as president, direct its everyday operation, including the upkeep and restoration of the belongings.