The research on Cold War heritage has revealed several key findings related to heritage, curatorship, and visitor experiences. These findings provide valuable insights into the challenges and complexities faced in preserving, interpreting, and presenting Cold War sites to the public.
Heritage Findings:
- An over-reliance on non-experts to present an expert heritage: Cold War sites often rely on guides and interpreters who may lack in-depth knowledge, leading to potential inaccuracies and misrepresentations of historical events and contexts.
- Lived experiences: Cold War heritage is enriched by the personal stories and experiences of individuals who lived through this period, providing a more profound connection to the past.
- Dominated by walking tours: The primary mode of experiencing Cold War sites is through walking tours, limiting visitors’ ability to explore sites independently.
- Predominantly western interests: Cold War tourism tends to attract predominantly Western visitors, potentially limiting the diversity of perspectives and understandings.
- The Challenge of reinterpretation – The Entertainment Value: There is a challenge in striking a balance between presenting factual historical information and catering to visitors’ desire for engaging and entertaining experiences.
- The Effect of Time: Over the years, some Cold War sites have undergone changes or decay, altering their original appearance and making preservation efforts more challenging.
- Deliberate Destruction of Key Sites: Some Cold War sites have been intentionally demolished or altered, impacting the authenticity and historical value of the heritage.
- Challenging Structures: Many Cold War sites are complex and challenging to preserve due to their unique architectural designs and construction.
- Haphazard Approach to Collections: The curation and organization of artifacts and exhibits at Cold War sites may lack coherence and structured storytelling.
- Lost Archival Material: The passage of time and historical events may have resulted in the loss or destruction of valuable archival material.
- Limited Budgets: Financial constraints often limit the extent to which Cold War sites can be preserved, maintained, and presented to the public.
- New Curatorial Methods: Innovative approaches to curating Cold War heritage are emerging, incorporating modern technologies and interactive exhibits.
Curatorship Findings:
- An over-reliance on non-experts to present an expert heritage: Similar to heritage findings, curatorship may also suffer from the use of non-experts in presenting historical information.
- The challenge of reinterpretation: Curators must navigate the task of reinterpreting historical narratives to suit the evolving interests and preferences of modern audiences.
- Secrecy as a Marketing Tool: Some sites use the allure of secrecy and mystery to attract visitors, which may impact the accuracy and authenticity of the presentation.
- The Effect of Time: Curators face the challenge of preserving and presenting Cold War artifacts and equipment as they age and degrade over time.
- A Dissipating Technical Knowledge Base: As older generations with technical expertise retire or pass away, the knowledge of operating Cold War equipment diminishes.
- Site Evolution: Many Cold War sites have undergone changes in ownership and use over the years, requiring curators to adapt their narratives accordingly.
- Challenging Structures: The preservation and presentation of Cold War structures, such as underground bunkers, pose unique challenges for curators.
- Questionably Authentic Equipment: Some sites may use replicas or non-authentic equipment, raising questions about the accuracy of the historical representation.
- Limited Archival Material: The scarcity of archival material and firsthand accounts can hinder the creation of comprehensive and accurate exhibits.
- Limited Budgets: Like heritage findings, curatorship is also constrained by limited financial resources.
- New Curatorial Methods: Curators are exploring innovative approaches, including interactive exhibits and digital technologies, to enhance visitor experiences.
- Lack of partnership working: Collaboration among different stakeholders, such as site owners and curators, is sometimes lacking, impacting the overall preservation and presentation efforts.
- Official Secrets Act and conflicting oral histories: The nature of Cold War history, secrecy, and conflicting oral histories can complicate the creation of cohesive and accurate narratives.
Visitor Experience Findings:
- Hidden history: Cold War sites offer visitors the chance to explore hidden and secretive aspects of history, generating intrigue and fascination.
- Excitement/Fear: Visitors often experience mixed emotions of excitement and fear when encountering the Cold War’s historical context and potential consequences.
- Complex sense of place: Cold War sites evoke a complex sense of place, representing historical significance while carrying cultural and symbolic meanings.
- Contemporary geopolitical relevance: The Cold War’s impact on global politics and current international relations adds contemporary relevance to these sites.
- Reliance on authentic curatorship: Visitors seek authenticity and accuracy in historical representation, valuing curatorial expertise and accurate storytelling.
- Links with darkness/dark tourism: Cold War sites may be associated with dark tourism, attracting visitors interested in exploring historical tragedies and conflicts.
- Links with battlefield tourism: Cold War sites often have connections to battlefield tourism, offering insight into military history and strategic locations.
- Bunkerology and Urban Exploration: The fascination with exploring underground bunkers and urban locations contributes to the popularity of Cold War tourism.
- Curiosity/Secrecy: Visitors are drawn to the secretive and mysterious aspects of Cold War sites, fostering curiosity and intrigue.
- Directly relevant civilian or military role: Some visitors may have personal connections to the Cold War era through their civilian or military roles.
- Military career (not-aligned): Individuals with military backgrounds, regardless of their alignment during the Cold War, may find personal connections to these sites.
- Reluctance to talk about the period: Some visitors, especially those who lived through the Cold War, may be hesitant to discuss their experiences, adding layers of complexity to visitor engagement.
In conclusion, the research findings highlight the intricacies of Cold War heritage preservation, curatorship, and visitor experiences. As these sites continue to captivate and educate visitors, it is essential to address the challenges and opportunities in preserving and presenting this critical period of history for future generations.
