Colonial house on PBS

Snufkin · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject:

I taped the first two episodes and watched them all in one setting. It's not as enjoyable as Frontier House, but I have crushes on Don and his dog Henry. Definitely the cutest cast members! And I'm a smartass, but after hearing several people gripe about the primitive living conditions for the 17th century, I started to think that PBS could've saved a whole lot of money and just sent them off to someplace like Central America. I mean, a lot of people who aren't middle class Americans, have the exact style of living and lack of amenities that these cast members were having to go back into the 17th century to find.
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sun bear · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 443

All I kept thinking is, what are they going to actually do with those spars and are they replanting the trees they just killed?

jt

chloek · Joined: 20 May 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Olympia, WA

My husband, daughter and I sent in our application to be accepted as a participant on the Montana Frontier House. Sadly, we did not make the cut, but were in the top 30 of the selected participants.
After watching the series on television, our daughter was glad we didn't make it. She is a musician and would not have been able to take her bassoon with her. I was torn, but felt we could have done really well. My husband, would still be living in Montana today. :)
I'm really sorry that I missed the Colonial showing. Bummer

bonnell · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Location: NYC area

smudgy_cat · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 346

I watched colonial house with my dad and mom, and my dad was thrilled to see the tools they were using. The saw and axes were just like what he used growing up in the 40s and in his apprentice time.

The episode I saw had the moldy bacon and the guy coming out in church. I guess the governor is leaving next week? I need to see reruns so I can figure out what is going on.

sun bear · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 443

bonnell,
Thank you, that makes much more sense now :)

So do you think this is all done on a circular to make a sort of tube and then decrease to the top? Sorry for such bugging questions, those boys just look so cute in those caps that I want to make one :)

jt

girlthursday · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 84 Location: Toronto, Canada

I love this show. Especially the freeman Dominic who ran away from the Colony and got free beer and chips at the local bar in town.

What kind of bugs me is-

1. If these participants know ahead of time the background of 17th century life and they have agreed to live according to those customs, why do they "choose" to not participate when it conflicts with their 21st century attitudes? I mean I wouldn't want to listen to a church sermon for 3 hours either, but as a participant in this project, why not try for the sake of the experience of this project?

2. Dominic running away from the colony under the pretenses of it being an exploration??

They bend the rules according to whatever they want or feel. Of course I don't agree with homosexuals being put to death, but on a more daily level of customs, I'm bugged that some people pick and choose what they will and won't do.

All in all, I am impressed though. I can't wait to see the new house go up.

WildSnowflake · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 172 Location: NJ

like girlthursday said... they complain far too much. of course it's going to be hard. and you won't be able to have everything you want. this was a time of sacrifice and the want of the many is more important than the want of one.

i'm sure many during that time questioned their faith but still went to church because it was "the law" (we tend to forget the irony of the time... escaping religious persecution only to do the same to others... separation of church and state really didn't exist).

it's interesting how they are bringing new people in and having others leave to give a true feel of what it was like... each day seeming much like the next but still no real continuity...
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Karen · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 6:10 pm Post subject:

sun bear · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 443

wow thanks Karen! I might actually go buy some needles to try this out as it looks like fun :)

i can't believe someone already has colonial house mentioned in there as it being popular, i guess other people thought it was cute too :)

jt

sun bear · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 443

just bumping to say it's on tonight and also b/c I wanted to thank Karen for posting the pattern, I'm almost done with a hat, I'd be done by now if I had read the whole pattern and also bought dpns, i forgot that once you start decreasing, a circular needle is just too wide, and bummer i have classes all this week so I might just have to go with straight needles and just pull the stitches on and off, sigh :(

it's coming out well, partly thanks to bonnell's kick a** description of how to make that hem part :)
thanks!
jt

Snufkin · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 1:51 pm Post subject:

Karen · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

Starting June 1, Plimouth Plantation http://www.plimoth.org is having a special "Colonial House" program all year long in their Craft Center with activities, lectures & workshops. On Oct. 23, 2004, there's a class in "Knitting a 17th-century Stocking." For info or to register, call (508) 746-1622 x 8359.

June 8 is handkerchief making, July 8 is embroidery, Aug. 10 & Oct. 12 are handkerchief sewing.

PS. Their "As Seen on Colonial House" shop sells felt hats and ladies' coifs (poly-cotton, not linen).

girlthursday · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 84 Location: Toronto, Canada

oh brother. I'm watching the next 2 episodes of Colonial House and I'm rolling my eyes watching Michelle Voorhees asserting HER own 21st century religious preferences again, not realizing she is supposed to be in a *17th century* project... someone just ship her back.

And does governor Don Heinz do any real work around the colony??

I guess this is what makes the show so good- having characters you love to hate.

red_rosary · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: Indiana

I haven't seen either of the Heinz' do anything. Don's just good at standing around and watching people work.

Can I just say how much I LOVE Jeff!? :) It's about time someone got those lazy-assed colonists on track!

I can't get over how much people are flip-flopping time periods. Carolyn and her insistence at everyone sitting according to their station at her stupid dinner party, but then starts bitching about feminism a little later. Not to mention the Heinz servant guy fussing about sitting according to station and fussing about having to live with the other servants, but then being allowed to stand up and address the congregation at church. Huh?

They should have sent Jeff weeks ago. :)
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