Overlooked Voices in the Heritage Framing of War Museums

This study examines War Museums within the U.S. for how their exhibits present the information and history of citizens who have been historically underrepresented. Comparing exhibits to historical research and veterans' memoirs shows discrepancies between the institution and the community, and also shows how the first-person narrative reveals more dynamics and relatable themes to the museum's visitors. By viewing museums designated as national historic war museums, visitors can see presentations that reflect the history and lives of all citizens who enlisted in the conflict. Furthermore, the conflicts analyzed in this study relate to how diverse groups advocated for and received legislative changes to achieve citizenship equality. While each museum is evaluated separately, common themes and patterns emerge in how museums define and present diverse perspectives. The recommendations and conclusions from this study contribute to the discourse on heritage dissonance and the evolution of museums as sources of public education in history.