ABSTRACT
The idea of a new national history museum seemed, to some, anachronistic in an age where society was transgressing national boundaries and stereotypes. It seemed to hark back to an old territorialism, to grand narratives and definitive truths. Museums had moved beyond such narratives. The new museum began a new debate about form, content and location; about the purposes of such museums. This chapter discusses the issues surrounding the building of new national museum and give insights into how the Dutch have tried to solve these problems. In order to achieve this, the chapter discusses the process of development, the changing cast of actors, the shifting focus of debate and the decisions made. Nevertheless, the government established the Committee for the Development of the Dutch Canon which presented its final report in July 2007. The connection between historical consciousness, identity and good citizenship would prove to be problematic for the National Historical Museum.
