Opened to the public in 1974 and situated in the monumental building complex of the Pieve di San Romolo at Gaville (12th-13th century), the Museum displays over 5,000 objects and tools recording rural life in the Lower Valdarno area, with special attention to the harvesting of grain and the production of olive oil and wine. One of the objects displayed is an olive-oil mill from 1729 driven by animal power, perfectly preserved. The Museum also possesses an interesting herbarium with samples of local medicinal herbs.

In 2000, the Associazione Culturale "Museo della Civiltà Contadina di Gaville" ["Museum of Peasant Civilisation at Gaville Cultural Association] was founded. Its members offer their services as volunteers to run the Museum.