Consuming the Past

This chapter reports preliminary findings from case studies of two heritage-based sites in north west England: Wigan Pier and The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. The research has involved examining both the production and consumption processes at work at these sites. The author focuses here on the area of consumption and presents data, collected in interviews with visitors to the two sites which suggest that visitors use emotional, imaginary and bodily maps to make sense of the past. The authenticity of the experience is sustained by an ‘emotional realism’ which enables and enhances the process of consumption. The author also argues that the manner in which these sites are consumed supplies one way of understanding the definitions and significance of the concept of heritage articulated by the visitors.