Anyone can step into the family residence of Emirati Rashid Yousef Al Hammadi, where each visitor is instantly transported to a bygone era: a time when homes were constructed from palm leaves and televisions with rotary knobs were the pinnacle of technology. Among the vehicles in their garage is a car from 1923, and some books on the shelf are centuries old. Rashid began his collection of vintage items in the early 1990s, shortly after marrying his wife Fatima Hassan, who shares his passion for preserving heritage items. In 2006, they transformed their home into a museum to showcase their collection to the public, naming it the 'House of Zayed' (Dar Zayed Heritage Museum).
"My father, from a young age, often quoted the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed: 'He who has no past, has no present, and no future'," recounted Rashid's son Abdullah to Khaleej Times. "He explained that our home was converted into a museum to educate the younger generation about our heritage and to let them experience firsthand our past and traditional way of life." The family continues to reside in the same house in Al Falah, Abu Dhabi, which is sectioned off to ensure their privacy.
The 'Zayed house' houses over 2,000 rare artifacts and 17 classic cars, including one from 1923. The collection also includes old passports, century-old books, and antique televisions. One area of the museum replicates the fragrance and aesthetics of traditional Emirati homes with arched doorways, while another section mimics an Al Arish design, a dwelling made from palm leaves. A dedicated room preserves the family heritage, particularly memories of Rashid Al Hammadi's father and grandfather.
"Visitors were always my mother’s responsibility. She took great pride in welcoming people into our home. She frequently invited friends and neighbors," Abdullah shared. The home is not only open to the neighborhood but also to strangers and tourists eager to learn about UAE heritage. "We've hosted school students on field trips, foreign tourists, and university students. It's like stepping back in time to sit in an Emirati house from the past. My mother even prepares traditional Emirati cuisine for them," Abdullah explained.
Now 20 years old, Abdullah joined his parents' activities at the age of 13. While his parents concentrated on collecting old household items, furniture, and memorabilia, he developed a keen interest in vintage cars. "My father has always supported me. When I was 13, he purchased the first old car I saw when I accompanied him to get his car fixed. We added it to the museum," Abdullah said. "Now, at 20, I continue to collect and seek out old cars to expand the museum's collection."
