Artifacts of History

•  Introduction 
•  Methodologies 
•  Vienna 
•  Schönbrunn Palace 
•  Belvedere Palace 
•  Museum Judenplatz 
•  Budapest 
•  House of Terror 
•  Findings 
•  Next Steps 

Our project aims to deepen their comprehension of how Vienna and Budapest confront their Holocaust and other historical legacies through museum exhibits. Inspired by the National Holocaust Memorial Museum and art museums in Washington, D.C., we conduct a mixed method study involving ethnographic techniques, archival research, and content analysis. By examining six museums, including Holocaust memorials and art institutions, we hope to discern the learning goals of each institution and evaluate the effectiveness of their methods.

We employed a mixed methods approach, drawing on ethnographic techniques, archival research, and content analysis. We analyze the structure and narratives of four museums, including walking tours where available, to discern their educational objectives and effectiveness in conveying Holocaust history. Our itinerary includes visits to Holocaust memorials, art museums, and other cultural institutions in Vienna and Budapest.

Located on the outskirts of Vienna, the Schönbrunn palaces serves as a crucial historical monument in Austrian history. Housing the royal family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from the 18th century until 1918, the Schönbrunn palace now serves as a museum that showcases personal rooms and belongings of the Habsburg royal family, as well as certain items from their treasury. Since the museum showcases valuable, delicate, and very old assets visitors are not allowed to take any pictures inside the museum, thus we were only able to provide very little imagery from inside the museum.

The museum's accessibility to visitors left much to be desired. Information about the rooms, artifacts, and the royal family was very little, leaving visitors wanting for more context. However, an audio-guide was available for purchase for those seeking a deeper understanding. Furthermore, the museum prioritized the preservation of its building and its treasures. As mentioned earlier, photography, even without flash, was strictly prohibited to prevent any potential damage to the surroundings. Additionally, the museum employed protective measures such as glass barriers to prevent visitors from inadvertently causing harm or getting too close to delicate items.

Similar to the Schönbrunn Palace, the Belvedere was used by the Habsburg royal family as a another residence. While the Belvedere Palace is now renowned for its impressive art collection, including works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and other prominent Austrian artists, we were particularly interested in examining how this iconic cultural landmark addresses historical narratives through and around art. Since the Belvedere is now an art museum, compared to the Schönbrunn Palace, it imposed less restrictions on visitors.

The museum proved itself to be accessible in multiple aspects. Throughout the museum, short blurbs of information is provided for most of the art works. For some of the most known works, some information is provided in braille as well, which can be seen on the left-most picture on the second row. The museum also provides digital archives belonging to certain art works with pre-installed tablet that visitors can utilize. The museum, once a grand palace, pays homage to its illustrious past by offering insights into its former glory. Visitors can explore the exhibits with a sense of historical context, as banners located around the entrances to the rooms detail the original purpose of each space and the notable individuals who once graced its halls. This thoughtful approach allows visitors to appreciate the rich history and regal heritage embodied within the museum's walls.

Located in the heart of Vienna, Museum Judenplatz stands as a poignant memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. We examine its exhibits and educational approach to understand how Vienna confronts its Holocaust history and shapes its national identity. One aspect that caught our eye was the exhibit about world peace concerning the recent Isreal -Palestine conflict. This exhibit included interactive elements such as videos, crafting tables, and a 'world peace dictionary' which can be seen above. We thought the specific word choices to include in the dictionary were interesting, specifically including words such as 'pacifism', 'quantum leap', 'xenophilia', 'truth' and 'living together'.

Beyond this particular exhibit, the museum features a diverse array of permanent exhibitions about Jewish history, particularly focusing on the communities inhabiting the Judenplatz district in Vienna. These exhibitions serve as a compelling testament to the legacy and cultural contributions of the Jewish people in the region. Through immersive displays, informative narratives, and engaging artifacts, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the profound impact of Jewish communities on local heritage and identity.

The House of Terror in Budapest offers a distinctive perspective on Hungary's tumultuous past, including its role in the Holocaust. We explore its exhibits to gauge how Budapest addresses its historical responsibility and its impact on national identity. As the museum itself if very interactive, it is also very heavy to go through.

The museum's exhibits include reconstructed prison cells, interrogation rooms, and displays of torture devices, creating a chilling atmosphere that vividly portrays the horrors endured by victims of political persecution. Additionally, the House of Terror incorporates multimedia installations, such as archival footage and audio recordings, to provide a visceral experience of the era's propaganda and surveillance tactics, adding emotional weight to the experience.

Through our research, we aimed to uncover the strategies employed by museums in Vienna and Budapest to educate visitors about history and its implications for national identity. We hope our findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of how societies address their historical legacies and the impact of museum presentations on public perception.

The Schönbrunn Palace Museum, while preserving the regal heritage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, fell short in providing comprehensive context to visitors. Limited information about the royal family and artifacts left visitors desiring more, although the museum's efforts to prioritize preservation were evident through strict photography regulations and protective measures. In contrast, the Belvedere Palace Museum demonstrated accessibility and engagement through informative blurbs, digital archives, and an open approach to visitor interaction. This cultural landmark effectively combines historical narratives with artistic expression, offering visitors a multifaceted experience.

Museum Judenplatz in Vienna serves as a poignant memorial to Holocaust victims, with exhibits that confront historical atrocities and promote dialogue on world peace. Permanent exhibitions on the history of Jewish communities, particularly in the Judenplatz area, underscore the museum's commitment to preserving collective memory. The House of Terror in Budapest provides a chilling portrayal of Hungary's tumultuous past, including its role in the Holocaust. Interactive exhibits and multimedia installations immerse visitors in the era's propaganda and surveillance tactics, fostering a deeper understanding of political persecution.

Moving forward, our research aims to delve deeper into the educational methodologies employed by museums in Vienna and Budapest. A further step for this research project could include conducting in-depth interviews with museum curators and educators, thus gaining insights into the design and implementation of museum exhibits, as well as their impact on visitor learning experiences.

Furthermore, visitor perceptions and feedback through surveys and focus group discussions could be explored as well, aiming to identify areas for improvement and inform future museum programming. By fostering collaboration between academia and cultural institutions, we hope to contribute to ongoing efforts in Holocaust education and commemoration, fostering empathy, understanding, and dialogue within our communities.

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