Museums as living history: a journey to cultural identity formation

Museums bridge the past and present by showcasing living history, shaping visitors' cultural identity. This study investigates how museum tourism fosters cultural identity through a mixed-methods approach. Study 1 employs grounded theory based on interviews with 30 tourists, revealing a framework centered on Living Cultural Exhibitions and the Historical Significance of Artifacts. Study 2 uses a survey of 360 museum visitors to validate the model quantitatively. Results highlight the mediating roles of cultural engagement and emotional resonance in linking museum experiences to identity formation. By examining these pathways, this research provides actionable insights for museum management and contributes to the understanding of museums as transformative cultural spaces.