The article presents a research project on identity politics in Europe. European National Museums: Identity politics, the uses of the past and the European citizen (EuNaMus, www.eunamus.eu) explores the creation and power of the heritage created and presented by European national museums. National museums are defined and explored as processes of institutionalized negotiations where material collections and displays make claims and are recognized as articulating and representing national values and realities. Questions asked in the project are why, by whom, when, with what material, with what result and future possibilities are these museums shaped.