The Muted Voice: The Limitations of Museums and the Depiction of Controversial History

Abstract

In a thorough discussion of military museums – and in this particular instance, theNational Army Museum – there must be a frank and realistic assessment of thelimitations that factor into how military history can be depicted. This perspectivepaper considers two specific aspects of this process. First, it discusses thechallenges confronting the National Army Museum when the history it coverscannot be fully depicted in the sterility of a museum setting. Second, it considershow the museum should deal with controversial histories. After all, the historyof the British Army is to a large degree a history of war and imperialism, and anentire range of ethical and political perspectives are inevitably involved in theportrayal of that history. This paper examines these challenges – the limitationswhich can mute the museum’s voice – and concludes that once these factorsare acknowledged, the National Army Museum’s strengths and successes canbe clearly understood and better appreciated.