Nations on Display: History Museums in Europe

The chapter discusses the origins and role of national museums in writing national histories. Created in the age of nationalism, and as the professionalisation of the historical discipline was progressing, historical museums have been thoroughout Europe powerful workshops for conserving historical materials, promoting and pulishing research, and transmititng national master arratives to a larger public. The chapter considers the European picture, and takes into account recent lively debates (maison de l'histoire de France etc)