Chapter 12
- How has social change in Britain led to new ways in which its past is represented in museums and galleries?
- Choose a country outside the UK and compare/contrast the ways in which the past is represented there. Think about different museums, galleries, heritage centres, events, re-enactments, etc. What differences do you observe between representations of the past in Britain, and those of the country in question?
- Research an example of a British festival or event. Compare and contrast it with one from another country, identifying possible reasons for the similarities and differences.
- Should festivals and celebrations evolve and change with the times, or should they remain as faithful as possible to their original forms?
- There are currently 28 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the UK. Research and identify one for an essay or presentation. What is its cultural importance to the country and community?
- Choose a museum, gallery or exhibition to visit or research. Either write a review of it or prepare a presentation on its content, display, etc.
- Choose a historic building to research for an essay or presentation. As above, consider its cultural value and importance to the community, taking account of its unique features, history and significance.
- Should museums, galleries and other cultural centres be free to the public and subsidised by the central or local government, or should they compete and charge an admission fee, as with many other institutions?
- Discuss the view that Britain’s concern with preserving the past is an obstacle to progress.
- Should green spaces and National Parks be preserved at all costs, even when there is a shortage of space for housebuilding?
Books
Clarke, K. (2001) Informed Conservation, London: English Heritage.
Crane, N. (2016) The Making of the British Landscape, London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson.
Darian-Smith, K. (2012) Children, Childhood and Cultural Heritage,London: Routledge.
English Heritage (1996) A Future For Our Past? London: English Heritage.
English Heritage (published each year), London: English Heritage.
Historic Scotland (2002) Passed to the Future, Edinburgh: Historic Scotland.
Hill, K. (2014) Museums and Biographies: Stories, Objects, Identities,Woodbridge: Boydell Press.
Hornby, H. (2008) Uppies and Downies: the Extraordinary Football Games Played in Britain,London:English Heritage.
Inglis, S. (2014) Played in London: Charting the Heritage of a City at Play, London: English Heritage.
National Trust Handbook (published each year), London: National Trust.
Smith, L. et al. (2011) Heritage, Labour and the Working Classes, London: Routledge.
Journals
Some journals of relevance to those interested in learning more about heritage and conservation include (all are available online):
International Journal of Heritage Studies
Journal of Conservation and Museum Studies
Journal of Cultural Heritage
Journal of Heritage Tourism
Halloween/Guy Fawkes/Christmas (1997)
Guy Fawkes Night (2011)
The most sung song in the world?
The history of Glastonbury Festival (2011)
Beamish Open Air Museum
British Museum channel
Buckingham Palace (2011)
Inside Chatsworth House (2011)
Morris dancing
Morris dancing in the Cotswolds
‘The Twelfth’ Orange Day parades by the Protestant community in Northern Ireland and Scotland (2014)
Blue plaques
English Heritage (2012) Easy Access to Historic Buildings,London: English Heritage
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/easy-access-to-historic-buildings/
English Heritage (2013) Easy Access to Historic Landscapes,London: English Heritage
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/easy-access-historic-landscape