ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the way in which historic reconstructions have been used to define national identity in the United States and Canada, usually in support of an official historical narrative, but also with surprising influences from local groups, with very specific collective memories. Though the American and Canada sense of 'nationalism' may appear distinctly different to some (and especially to Americans and Canadians), use of the past – and of historic reconstructions – to define national identity has been similar, focusing on two major themes. First, is the mythologizing of historical figures and events, a practice common to many countries and groups. Second, is the embrace of landscape, both the theoretical concept of frontier as proposed by Frederick Jackson Turner, and the physical western and northern frontiers. How historic reconstructions have served these agendas is examined through detailed studies of several sites: Lincoln's New Salem, Illinois; the Graff House (Declaration House), Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia; Fort George, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario; and Fort Clatsop, Oregon, the terminus of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. An analysis of these major studies also reference: the MacLean House, Appomattox, Place Royale, Quebec City, Bent's Old Fort, Colorado, Fort Langley, British Columbia, and the Palace Grand Theatre, Yukon Territory.
