In the 19th century the Royal History and Antiquarian Society of Tongeren had amassed a collection of archaeological discoveries from the area.

The collection was expanded through donations and digs carried out by the museum itself and the Nationale Dienst voor Opgravingen (National Department for Excavations).

[1] After public pressure for a new home for the collection, a new building by architect Alfredo de Gregorio was opened in 1994.

The jury praised the way in which "the Gallo-Roman Museum has been true to the discipline of archaeology in all its forms for many years".

In addition, according to the jury, "the museum knows how to host exhibitions that reach a lot of the public and establishes a broad pedagogy with attention to different target groups".