Effects of climate change, like sea-level rise, extreme weather, and chronic inundation are damaging historic cultural resources and landscapes along the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is highly susceptible to these effects due to its naturally low-lying topography and its abundance of historic towns and heritage resources. Historic coastal communities are struggling to address the vulnerability of their historic assets due to the fragility of the resources and current preservation methods. This evolving landscape is not only reshaping the way people live but how tangible heritage is being preserved for the community, the region’s identity, and future generations. Adaptation of historic communities to climate change is more urgent than ever as the severity of climate pollution projections increases with every climate pollution report and analysis.

This thesis aims to explore structural resiliency techniques and public education and awareness strategies to protect Maryland’s historic and cultural resources, specifically focusing on chronic inundation. It will examine Cambridge, Maryland, a historic coastal city on the Eastern shore, to develop an outdoor education center to service the region and support resiliency efforts and exploration.