Ever long to go back to the good ole days? Back before television, cars, even electricity. PBS is provided the opportunity for us to witness what it is like for 21st century families to go back to 1883 Montana.
Frontier House premieres April 29 on your PBS station (or at least it does here). According to the website (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/) “The Challenge: Blizzards, hunger, scorching sun, forest fires, the neighbors, and more.” I’ve seen a commercial for this show on my local PBS affiliate. We indeed have hunger, we have snakes for dinner, we have angry neighbors and one teen whishing they would vote her off. Indeed – these modern day pioneers are in this for the duration.
The BBC brought us 1900 House – set in London in at the turn of the century. In that show we got to see what it was like for a modern British family to go back in time. Well, sort of. Dear old Dad, didn’t exactly leave his regular job and got to experience the real world during the day, and the kids were still in school.
Our intrepid homesteaders include the Clune Family (Adrienne, Gordon, Justin, Aine, Conor, and Tracy) from California, the Glenns (Mark, Karen, Logan, and Erinn) from Tennessee, and the Brooks (Rudy, Kristen, and Nate) from Boston. The web site allows you to view video diaries, learn more about the families and the project.
The Rules: Live as closely to the pioneer lifestyle as possible, including wearing of clothing, the preparation and consumption of food (translation, no microwaves, no pizza) typical of the era. And, use of period equipment (that means horse and plow, not a John Deere tractor to plow that field). Communication with the outside world “will be consistent with the 1880’s.” So they’ll be using a post office at the general store and packages coming from the outside world will be searched for modern conveniences.
If you’re looking for girls in skimpy bikinis – this isn’t for you. If however, you’re interested in looking for a show that includes families, and is educational – tune in. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/
