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Homemade popping corn, lard, and candles. |
It was a difficult selection process in that some of
the applicants already appeared to be living a
comparable life with that of a pioneer of the 1880s
-- an agricultural life with no electricity or
woodstoves, and with hunting for their own food. It became
evident that this project might not be too much of a
stretch for them. But we were also clear that
successful applicants should not be complete novices
in the fundamentals of frontier living. We also
wanted people who had real interest in the history of
the period we were recreating.
The most problematic aspect was finding groups united
in their desire to participate in the project. A
common pattern was applications from parents excited
by the prospect of this adventure with children
reluctant to dispense with computer games, television,
telephone, and the Internet!
As the applications came in the team began the task of
sifting through the mountain of envelopes. The team
was composed of myself, Emily
Ann (Researcher), Jennifer Nelson (Production
Assistant), and Erinn Chapman (Intern). Then we
conducted a series of phone interviews and visits to
prospective candidates. During these visits we filmed
interviews with each of the applicants. A lot of my
time, at this stage in the process, was spent in
airport terminals and on a seemingly endless
procession of road trips.
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| One family's mother tells us what she would miss most on the Frontier. |
We were very impressed by
the enthusiasm and passion displayed by the people we
visited. A common theme, possibly influenced by THE
1900 HOUSE series, was a desire to explore the daily
routines of the past that have been excluded from most
history books. Almost all the people we visited
expressed appreciation and admiration for the pioneers
who went West and the hardships they endured while
settling the West and closing the Frontier.
This family cuts their own firewood. | Eventually, a decision had to be made. We could only
select three groups. If we could have accepted all
the people we wanted, this project could have ended up
as FRONTIER CITY rather than FRONTIER HOUSE! For all
those who submitted an application, we thank you once
again for your interest in the project.
However, we
believe that the three family groups that were
selected were the strongest candidates, and I
hope you will watch the series and vicariously
experience homestead living on the frontier as our
families embark upon an incredible adventure!
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