How do Visitors Perceive the Role of Authentic Objects in Museums?

Abstract

The study investigated visitors’ notions of authentic objects across nine different German museums, three science and technology, three natural history, and three cultural history. The findings build on prior studies into visitors’ conceptions of authenticity of artifacts in science museums, indicating a nuanced role of authentic objects for museum exhibitions from the visitors' perspective. The results were generally consistent across all three museum types. Visitors emphasized cognitive effects of authentic objects, wanted authentic objects to be accompanied by additional information, and considered replicas to be legitimate substitutes. Visitors indicated that they accept that authentic objects could include modifications or improvements if the original object contained elements that were fragile or subject to harm from their use in an exhibition setting.