The Museum, which was officially inaugurated in September 1998, is housed in a restored Venetian building, listed by the Ministry of Culture as a historic monument with conservation status, which has been donated by the co-founder and President of the Museum, Mrs. Faly G.Voyatzakis. Situated in the old town of Rethymnon it constitutes a typical example of an urban dwelling of the last phase of Venetian rule in Crete (late 16th - early 17th century). The restoration of the building was made possible through the Integrated Mediterranean Programme for Crete that financed the project under the aegis of the Greek National Tourism Organisation. Thus a remarkable monument of architecture has been revived, offering an ideal shelter to historical and traditional handicraft collections.