Paul Calvert spoke with Julia Michelle Dabdoub from the Arab Women's Union about their museum, an archaeological find and how they have helped local families for over 60 years.

Paul: What did you find as an archaeological piece there?

Julia: When we started the building, in the middle of the land was a Roman aqueduct. The aqueduct came from Solomon's pools to the mosque. The water used to come from springs in this area to Jerusalem. The aqueduct was in the middle of the land. So the archaeological department stopped us from building and said, "You cannot build in the land where there is this archaeological site". So we asked them that we raise the building and leave the aqueduct uncovered and we restore it; we make an archaeological site. They were convinced and they gave us the permit. It was during 1982 and with this permit we raised the building. Now it is uncovered and we hope very soon to start the ground floor, because the first floor is already finished. We did a small opening and the first floor where there is the aqueduct, this will be the important part, which will be the archaeological history of the aqueduct and who did it, how it was functioning and who restored it.

Paul: So is Bethlehem an important city today?

Julia: I think Bethlehem has been very important to the whole world. When we travel and we say we are from Bethlehem, it's very funny to hear the comments. Some are very impressed and some say, "Ahh does it exist? We thought it was a legend".

Paul: How long have you lived in Bethlehem?

Julia: I am from Bethlehem. My parents and maybe my family came in 1700, but most of the families here are much older than that. Some of them have 500 - 600 years of history. Before that we don't know. There was a municipality here in Bethlehem that was burned in 1938 and all the archives were burned. Some families have proof that they are here for more than 600 years.