"Där historien ägde rum!"

Sammanfattning

This thesis examines how museums use the home as an environment with which to build narratives and create meaning. With a focus on the role of time, space and authenticity in the construction and framing of narratives, ethnographic field research was undertaken at the museums Statarmuseet and Hallwylska museet as well as the exhibitions Folkhemslägenheten at Nordiska museet and Välkommen till Sverige at Malmö Museer. Through analysis of the findings, this thesis argues that the museums build narratives through constructing chronotopes and by adhering to and negotiating claims of authenticity. This in ways which allows them to build narratives that stretch beyond the nominal limits of place and create meaning on a broader scale, regardless of if the displays are in situ or in context. Furthermore the types, manner or simply the existence of authenticity in museum displays at all is discussed.