The Cultra site, formerly the estate of Sir Robert Kennedy, was acquired in 1961 and the museum first opened to visitors in 1964. With the opening in 1993 and 1996 of the award winning Rail and Road Galleries the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum became firmly established as a Museum of international importance.
Today, the Museum, part of National Museums Northern Ireland, has been voted Irish Museum of the Year and ranks among Ireland's most important cultural, educational and tourist facilities.