“Experiencing a Living Past” Trends in Dutch castle museum practices and the influence of national cultural policy

Abstract

This thesis investigates the recent trend in heritage in which the visitor experience has become central. Previously conservation and preservation were the main objectives in the management of Dutch castle museums, while visitor oriented approaches were viewed with skepticism and reserve. This is different from the situation today where many castle museums promise the visitor a true experience through a variety of presentations and events. The question why Dutch castle museums have adopted a new approach in which experience is central, is the main research question of this thesis. In order to answer this question this thesis will explore how different elements like government policy and changing discourses influence heritage trends and presentations. By researching the cultural policy of the Dutch government and placing this next to developments in the heritage sector, the influence of cultural policy on this ‘experience’ trend will become clear. This thesis argues that the increase of neoliberalism in cultural policy has contributed to this ‘experience’ trend by making visitor numbers and revenue central to the value of heritage.