Research on the role of heritage institutions in the creation of local identity and
feeling of cohesion also points to the fact that museums, libraries and heritage sites
may function as “community hubs” – spaces where trust is built and social networks
are created. Visiting museums with family or friends, participating in group events
during museum visits or consuming their supplementary services (e.g. gastronomy)
results in enhancing and initiating links between individuals of both a bonding and
bridging type. Although motivations to visit a given heritage site or institution may be
diverse, some of the main reasons are usually wanting to accompany other people,
show something to family members and friends, as well as hoping for a chance to meet
other people (Figure 1). As follows, such institutions may help deepen and strengthen
relations between family members or friends. They also present an opportunity to
encounter other social groups, at times groups which would normally never meet or
have contact with each other. They may help create or enhance the feeling of pride from
the municipality and its heritage among the local community (Simon Jaquet
Consultancy Services, 2009). They may also provide opportunities for interaction with
older persons creating important intra-generational links.