The Madeira Regional Government decided to set up in Ribeira Brava old brandy distillery the Madeira Ethnographic Museum, a project designed by the architect João Francisco Caíres, which was officially opened to the public on June 15th 1996.

The primary purpose of this Museum is connected with the research, documentation, conservation and promotion of the islands culture and ethnography. This museum includes collections depicting various social, economic and cultural aspects of Madeira.

The permanent exhibition area is organized by several themes: “production based-activities” (fishing, Wine, cereals and flax production cycles), transports, households rooms (kitchen and bedroom) and traditional shops (grocery store).