Artur Hazelius, Nordiska museet och ansvaret för kulturarvet

The thesis traces and analyses important changes in cultural heritage and museum politics during the nineteenth century. It tells two overlapping narratives. One is about the creation and expansion of Nordiska museet, and about the museum founder, Artur Hazelius. The other concerns the indecisive construction of meaning and organisational forms for state responsibility for the cultural heritage. The nineteenth century is commonly described as a time when cultural heritage became a concern of the state. This thesis instead sheds light on the uncertainties involved in the construction of national cultural heritage politics. It emphasises the crucial role played by voluntary organisations. It observes the significance of histories and of counter-histories in the controversies obout the ownership of the cultural heritage and responsibility for maintaining it. The thesis also focuses on the emergence of a museum profession and its implications for the development of Nordiska museet and for museum politics in general