The authors draw on theoretical developments in cultural studies and in the theory and practice of ICT in order to explore the contribution that the museum might make to the reconciliation of seemingly incommensurate viewpoints. They draw on empirical work on the ‘Legends of our Times’ exhibition in Canada where they apply a novel research methodology to explore the impact of the exhibition on young people’s learning. They look at the inter-relationships between culture, heritage and identity and ask how we encourage people to develop a deeper sense of belonging, or community, without that process in itself leading to more formal or rigid exclusions of those who do not belong: the museum, they argue, can and should promote toleration in an increasingly intolerant world.