Boys' Clothing at Home: Media Recreations--Frontier House


Figure 1.--

The PBS program recreates the experiences of three homstead families living on the American prarie during the 1883 with just the tools available at the time. It was the Republican Congress and the Homstead Act of 1864 that helped open up the American west. It provided land at extrmely low cast to those that would farm it. Homesteaders came from a diverse background, both American and immigrants. The year 1883 was the year the railroads linked east and west. Thousands of immigrants were transported west by the railroads. Several thousand applicants applied to participate in the experience. Three families were chosen to go back in time. They were given some training and they were given farm animals. They soon found themslves in Montana trying to survive. A woman describes it as being sentenced "to 5 month hard labor". None of the families involved had any idea what they were getting involved in. One girl complains, "I thought it was going to be fun." A boy holds us a snake and complaind. "This is dinner!"

Premise

The PBS program recreates the experiences of three homstead families living on the American prarie during the 1883 with just the tools available at the time.

History

It was the Republican Congress and the Homstead Act of 1864 that helped open up the American west. It provided land at nominal cost to those that would farm it. The railroads sold land. Homesteaders came from a diverse background, both American and immigrants. The year 1883 was the year the railroads linked east and west. Thousands of immigrants were transported west by the railroads.

The Families

Several thousand applicants applied to participate in the experience. Three families were chosen to go back in time. The families are quite different. One is yupie California Family and the other a rathr judgemental Tennessee family. The othr family is more layed back. Unfortunately much of the program is devoted to a kind of family feud between the California and Tnesee family rather than dealing with 1880s clothing and life style issues.

Preparation

They were given some training and they were given farm animals.

The Cabins

Ech family had a different situation as concerning their cabin. One fmily had a cabin already built. Another family had apartialy built cbin they had to complete. The third family, the one without children, had to start from scratch. They helped each other and local carpenters helped.

Result

The families soon found themslves in Montana trying to survive. A woman describes it as being sentenced "to 5 months hard labor". None of the families involved had any idea what they were getting involved in. One girl complains, "I thought it was going to be fun." A boy holds us a snake and complaind. "This is dinner!" As with "1900 House", it was all the labor necessary for the most basic activities.

The Children

Chilhood ended earlier on the frontier because of all the work that had to be done. Thus the children had a major adjustment. The girls were upset with cleanlinest and the lack of makeup. The out-house was mjor adjustment. The boys were concerned about doing withut computers and Nitendo. The experience sems to have been the most difficult for the teenage girls from California.

The Clothing

The clothing has been reserched and hand made . They get both work close and Sunday best. The women had 7 layers and 12 pounds. One of the The boys wants to know why the pants are so high. They were held up with suspendrs. They begin by having a portrait taken in their new clothes.

Hair Cuts

The boys all get 1880s hair cuts, but they all had short hair to begin with.

Other Media Recreations

1900 House was the first of several recreations of homes set in various historical periods. These programs contain a great deal of inforation about clothing as well as life style which HBC readers may find of interest.







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Created: April 27, 2001
Last updated: April 27, 2001