Digitization is the key to Dutch heritage
“Bring history to all Dutch people, instead of Dutch people to one group of buildings,” argued a prominent historian in NRC †A historical museum. National? No, digital!, 1/6). It reminded me that she learned the lesson from her previous attempt at a history museum. Their alternative: a virtual collection, accessible through topographical maps and historical themes, for children from primary school to researching their family history.
The good news is that this virtual collection is being worked on together. Since 2015, large and small libraries, archives and museums have been working together to realize the National Strategy for Digital Heritage. related to the story of the Netherlands by connecting all existing heritage collections. The bad news is that the need for a separate museum is still being felt.
Since 2016, the Netherlands has a Heritage law, which combines all legislation and regulations for the management of monuments and museum objects. In addition to keeping the heritage in good condition, the main focus is on accessibility of the heritage. Digitization is the most powerful form of giving everyone access to Dutch heritage. I therefore agree with the authors’ plea.
Don’t build one Historical National Museum, but let the more than a thousand heritage institutions in the Netherlands realize it together. The first hundred have already united in the Network Digital Heritage, each province has a heritage coach to support and continue this movement of heritage software to make the connection cohesive. The first fruits of this collaboration can be found on Memoryvannederland.nl† And that’s just the beginning.
Support this movement with a covenant between central government, provinces and municipalities to jointly support the national strategy. Only together can we tell the story of the Netherlands. This is how we create a National History Museum that has as many rooms as there is heritage and as many entrances as there are devices to be.
strategic advisor at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, chairman of the Museum Registration Committee and active in the Digital Heritage Network
A version of this article also in the newspaper of June 13, 2022