[3] Armenians have had a presence in Jerusalem since at least the 4th century A.D., when Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion.

The architecture combines traditional Armenian and local Levantine styles, characterized by thick stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and intricate geometric carvings.

The layout of the museum is designed to harmonize with the monastic atmosphere of the surrounding St. James Monastery.

A new roofing of the inner courtyard was added by French team specialized in museum design, since this opening is often prone to flooding in rainy weather.

Guided tours are available upon request, and the museum offers informational materials in multiple languages, including English, Hebrew, French, Arabic or Armenian.