The Value of Cultural Heritage is in the Eye of the Beholder; A case-study on the National Museum of Ireland for comparison with the future National History Museum in the Netherlands

Abstract

In 2006 it was decided that a new museum will be realised in the Netherlands, presenting the country's history: the National History Museum (Nationaal Historisch Museum). The reasons for the need of such a museum are analysed as well as the exhibition plans through the theory of David Lowenthal on history-heritage. Furthermore, a case-study is carried-out on the National Museum of Ireland. The history of the museum's formation is described along with the contemporary history and exhibition strategies. Finally both museums are compared to each other. The formation histories, influence of politics, location issues and exhibition plans are set against each other to reveal many similarities between the future National History Museum and the National Museum of Ireland.