PBS Frontier Program

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Has anyone else applied to be part of an "experiement" on the PBS Tv show....Pioneers in the 1800's. Click on to www.pbs.org and see if this is something any of you would like to do. We think some of us modern homesteaders mights want to give it a try and learn and understand how the pioneers going to Montana actually had to survive. Might make an interesting 6 months for your family.

-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), January 06, 2001

Answers

Helena: For about 5 minutes, I actually did consider it--but then I got to thinking about who I could get to sit with the mares 24/7 when they are about to foal during that time, and would I want to be gone then, etc. Nah. Looks interesting though, if someone has the ability to get away from all commitments for that length of time. Might actually learn a few things! Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), January 06, 2001.

The sad part about this is they don't want any one who knows what they are doing. Did you see the PBS one on the "English house"? Also, anymore, since the women anymore do most of the "farm" work, they get really bummed, because w/o today's conveniences, they get stuck in the house(soddy, cabin, whatever) doing the mundane, but irreplaceable must-be dones, while inexperienced hubby is trying to do all the stuff that his wife is used to doing, and incidentally, knows what she is doing. Result? Hubby's ticked, wife's ticked, and they argue and fight....and guess what? Entertainment TV! If it all went well and everyone knew what they were doing...like a well run homestead...BORING! Sad, but true! Kathie

-- Kathiein Western Washington (twinrosefarm@worldnet.att.net), January 07, 2001.

A friend and I are applying as a team, and I am also asking to be considered as a single. I wrote asking, and they said that they would consider singles.

While I doubt that we/I have much chance of being selected, in the remote event that that should occur, I'll be posing lots of questions to the forum I'm sure. In the meantime I'm reading everything I can get my hands on that will help if selected.

If you haven't read the diaries on the Pioneer Quest site, I suggest that you do. It is very entertaining. The url for it is below.

http://www.pioneerquest.com http://www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/ http://www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house/

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), January 07, 2001.


DH and I considered it, then the great ice storm of 2000 came along. After 7 days, I decided I'd had enough pioneer living.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), January 07, 2001.

Don't worry Melina, there is not a chance the TV crew would hang around the plains of Montana in the winter. It's not funny to people really suffer.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), January 08, 2001.


Here's the URL http://www.pbs.org/wnet/frontierhouse/. It sounds like a great experiment for someone who wants to see if their homesteading skills are really what they think they are. My husband and I would consider it, but they would prefer a family which includes children and all of ours are grown now. I think it would be great to try.

-- Mary in East TN (barnwood@preferred.com), January 08, 2001.

I submitted an application a few minutes ago[08:45 EST 1/9/2001] as a solo-and offered to join a group.I've got my doubts about them selected a solo person. The offer still stands if anyone wants to do a group application. REMEMBER you've got to submit the application by this Thursday 11 January.I've got time on my hands and an inclination to head west anyway. I found it disappointing[shouldn't have been surprised]that WNET wouldn't provide information regards whether:livestock is supplied,one can hunt,if fence wire is provided,if one can control [i.e.eliminate] garden or livestock pests.Realistically homesteaders of that period did-none of this PETA/animal rights BS.

-- karl bechler (kbechler@frontiernet.net), January 09, 2001.

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