Making the past : history, identity, and the cultural politics of the Ulster Folk Museum
type: CreativeWork
description: As Hewison has put it, 'a display in a museum may simply be telling a story, but the existence of a museum has a story to tell'. It is with such a sentiment in mind that this thesis examines the history, identity and cultural politics involved in the creation of the Ulster Folk Museum, in that it records a particular version of Ulster's past and culture. In writing the history of a region, 'knowledge' is paramount - the story told being highly dependent on the author. These mediators, or 'organic intellectuals' as Antonio Gramsci termed them, can influence the version of the past that is made available. Situated in Cultra, near Holywood, County Down, the Ulster Folk Museum was founded at a time when Northern Ireland was endeavouring to establish its own sense of national identity. Furthermore, it was created by an Act of Parliament - the first folk museum to be sanctioned by a government. Heritage - a way of understanding the past in the present - is liable to different interpretations. However, as chapter one outlines, it is the purpose of heritage representation that is significant. Whether it is considered an opportunity to consolidate identity, or to satisfy a nostalgic outlook, 'heritage' is a contested term that has been subject to rigorous debate within cultural geography. One of the most common forms of heritage representation is the museum. Dating to circa 1450, museums are cultural institutions that are dedicated to the display of 'material evidence'. Simultaneously reflecting and contributing to the creation of social values, museums are a visible aspect of both the cultural and physical landscape of Europe. Being a 'temple of carefully chosen best goods', they implement a tripartite system of collection, preservation and representation. However, the folk museum differs from this process in that it includes another dimension - research. Chapter two outlines the origins of the folk museum movement, which originates from Scandinavia. Concerned with the cult…
abstract: As Hewison has put it, 'a display in a museum may simply be telling a story, but the existence of a museum has a story to tell'. It is with such a sentiment in mind that this thesis examines the history, identity and cultural politics involved in the creation of the Ulster Folk Museum, in that it records a particular version of Ulster's past and culture. In writing the history of a region, 'knowledge' is paramount - the story told being highly dependent on the author. These mediators, or 'organic intellectuals' as Antonio Gramsci termed them, can influence the version of the past that is made available. Situated in Cultra, near Holywood, County Down, the Ulster Folk Museum was founded at a time when Northern Ireland was endeavouring to establish its own sense of national identity. Furthermore, it was created by an Act of Parliament - the first folk museum to be sanctioned by a government. Heritage - a way of understanding the past in the present - is liable to different interpretations. However, as chapter one outlines, it is the purpose of heritage representation that is significant. Whether it is considered an opportunity to consolidate identity, or to satisfy a nostalgic outlook, 'heritage' is a contested term that has been subject to rigorous debate within cultural geography. One of the most common forms of heritage representation is the museum. Dating to circa 1450, museums are cultural institutions that are dedicated to the display of 'material evidence'. Simultaneously reflecting and contributing to the creation of social values, museums are a visible aspect of both the cultural and physical landscape of Europe. Being a 'temple of carefully chosen best goods', they implement a tripartite system of collection, preservation and representation. However, the folk museum differs from this process in that it includes another dimension - research. Chapter two outlines the origins of the folk museum movement, which originates from Scandinavia. Concerned with the cult…
author: Robinson, Evelyne
language: eng
date published: 2000-12
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:55:18Z
provider: Queen's University Belfast
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Queen's University Belfast