Mary McAleese and her husband Martin were given a tour of the museum by the Orange Order's grand master Edward Stevenson
A former president of the Republic of Ireland has praised the Orange Order on the opening of its new Belfast museum.
Mary McAleese was attending the official launch of the Museum of Orange Heritage, built with aid from European peace funds.
She said she hoped it would lead to a better understanding of Orange culture.
Meanwhile, a gun believed to have been used in a battle in 1690 that proved crucial in the history of Orangeism will go on display at the museum.
The musket was sold at an auction in Belfast last week and is thought to have been used in the Battle of the Boyne.
The Orange Order says the musket believed to have been used at the Battle of the Boyne is a "tremendous acquisition"
Every 12 July, the Orange Order celebrates William of Orange's victory over the Catholic King James II at the battle.
The Orange Order said it had been the anonymous bidder that paid £20,000 for the antique weapon.
The gun had been presented by the late Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley to then Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern during a historic meeting at the battle site in 2007, external.
Dr David Hume, the Orange Order's director of services, said the piece was a "tremendous acquisition".
Respect
Mrs McAleese and her husband Martin were given a tour of the museum on Wednesday.
She said: "It's important to be here because this place is built with a view, first of all, to celebrating Orange culture, but also to explaining it to a wider audience.
"I think good neighbours should know about each other, should respect each other, and part of that respect is being interested in each other."
Visitors to the museum will be able to play instruments and listen to different types of band music
Other guests invited to the official opening included the PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton.
The museum will allow visitors to learn more about the roots and history of Orangeism in Ireland and around the world.
Visitors will be able to learn about Orange symbols and regalia, play instruments, and listen to different types of band music.
There are nine flags outside the east Belfast building where the museum is housed.
The flags represent some of the places across the globe where there are Orange lodges, including Canada, Australia and Ghana.
But there is no flag representing the Republic of Ireland, where lodges are also based.
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