ABSTRACT
Colonists inhabiting the eighteenth-century British North American colonies were profoundly impacted by a global economy and environmental factors that were a natural part of their daily life. Wealth, identity, consumption, and ideology, were influenced by connection to the larger global system that colonists participated in and benefitted from. The North American environment, in particular the extensive river system, shaped daily life for individuals of all classes. Analysis of heritage sites over the period 2008–2018 showed little interpretive connection to global or environmental contexts. Interpretations of maritime sites, urban centers, riparian landscapes, material culture, and colonial identity were lacking in the essential global and environment contexts that could make them accessible to modern visitors. Through an analysis of sites on the Ashley River and James River, it is clear that the essential role of rivers to colonial prosperity and development is not a priority. Sites such as Boston National Historical Park, Salem Maritime National Historical Site, and Colonial Williamsburg further expose the lack of global and maritime contexts available to visitors. Over the course of ten years, this interpretation has advanced slightly, but overall shows regression, leading it further from both the rich historiography of these issues and relatable narratives that could have meaning to modern guests and endangering historic landscapes.]
