The Duke's Diwan is a privately maintained cultural centre and informal museum in one of the oldest houses in downtown Amman, run by its owner as a labour of personal passion. The ground floor and several rooms are open to visitors and filled with historical photographs of Amman, old maps, manuscripts, and objects accumulated over decades of collecting. The atmosphere is more like a scholar's private library than a formal institution.
The owner or his associates are usually present and happy to discuss the city's history. It is one of the rare places in Amman where you can get a sense of the city as it was in the early 20th century — a small desert outpost of a few thousand people, rather than the sprawling city it has become. Entry is free; a small donation is appreciated.