Constructing national identity: national representations at the Museum of Sydney

Abstract

While nineteenth- and early twentieth-century public museums have been implicated in the nation-state's inculcating agenda, debate exists as to whether the contemporary museum persists in such a role. Using the Museum of Sydney as a case study, this article argues that museums continue to be instrumental in the evolution of Australian national identities. While much has been written about the Museum of Sydney, it has been largely concerned with the Museum's architectural or design elements. This article draws on a historical framework to examine the Museum's approach to the representation of Australian history. In doing so it highlights the role of the nation-state and cultural institutions in the construction of national identities, which is particularly relevant in the wake of studies demonstrating visitors' trust in museums as objective institutions.