Colonial House 

A group of ordinary people arrive on a boat to 1628 and have to build a functioning colony, using only time appropriate resources. Their goal: survive for 4 months and pass the final evaluation.

Stars:

Jonathon Allen, Julia Friese, Carolyn Heinz

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jonathon Allen	...	Lay Preacher's Servant Jonathon Allen 5 episodes, 2004
Julia Friese	...	Governor's Servant Julia Friese 5 episodes, 2004
Carolyn Heinz	...	Lay Preacher's Wife Carolyn Heinz 5 episodes, 2004
Don Heinz	...	Lay Preacher Don Heinz 5 episodes, 2004
Amy-Kristina Herbert	...	Single Woman Amy-Kristina Herbert 5 episodes, 2004
Paul Hunt	...	Governor's Servant Paul Hunt 5 episodes, 2004
Jack Lecza	...	Cape Merchant / ... 5 episodes, 2004
Jeff Lin	...	Voorhees Servant Jeff Lin 5 episodes, 2004
Dominic Muir	...	Freeman Quartermaster Dominic Muir 5 episodes, 2004
Michelle Rossi-Voorhees	...	Freeman's Wife Michelle Rossi-Voorhees 5 episodes, 2004
Clare Samuels	...	Governor's Servant Clare "Gindy" Samuels 5 episodes, 2004
Danny Tisdale	...	Head Freeman Danny Tisdale 5 episodes, 2004
Craig Tuminaro	...	Company Servant Craig Tuminaro 5 episodes, 2004
Dave Verdecia	...	Freeman Dave Verdecia 5 episodes, 2004
Debbie Verdecia	...	Freeman Verdecia's Wife Debbie Verdecia 5 episodes, 2004
Emily Verdecia	...	Freeman Verdecia's Daughter Emily Verdecia 5 episodes, 2004
Maddison Verdecia	...	Freeman Verdecia's Daughter Maddison Verdecia 5 episodes, 2004
Tony Verdecia	...	Freeman Verdecia's Son Tony Verdecia 5 episodes, 2004
Giacomo Voorhees	...	Freeman's Son Giacomo Voorhees 5 episodes, 2004
John Voorhees	...	Freeman John Voorhees 5 episodes, 2004
Kathryn Walker	...	Narrator 5 episodes, 2004
Don Wood	...	Freeman Don Wood 5 episodes, 2004
Amy Wyers	...	Governor's Daughter Amy Wyers 5 episodes, 2004
Bethany Wyers	...	Governor's Daughter Bethany Wyers 5 episodes, 2004
David Wyers	...	Governor's Son David Wyers 5 episodes, 2004
Jeff Wyers	...	Governor Jeff Wyers 5 episodes, 2004
Tammy Wyers	...	Governor's Wife Tammy Wyers 5 episodes, 2004

Storyline

A group of ordinary people arrive on a boat to 1628 and have to build a functioning colony, using only time appropriate resources. Their goal: survive for 4 months and pass the final evaluation.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Reality-TV

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Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Kathy Griffin Is... Not Nicole Kidman (2005)

User Reviews

I Agree to a Point

The colonists, especially Mrs. Vorhees seemed focused on living as 21st Century folks without modern conveniences, instead of acting as period people. For example, if she had gotten to know the lay-preacher better, she would have seen he was play-acting as a Bible thumper. He may have even been willing to explore some of her views. Instead, she saw this as a forum for her opinion, rather than playing along with the experiment.

If I were in charge I would have applied post-industrial revolution division of labor. I would have found the best sawyer, and had him cut it all--firewood, marine spars, etc. The field work would have been divided also, and I would have bucked the rules and plowed in rows instead of mounds. And speaking of farming, would not goat dung have acted as a viable fertilizer?

Okay, back to the people. I thought the people should have been more focused on the economic part more than on personal comforts. Jeff seemed too concerned about his leadership rather than the economics. He should have taken the trade with the indians, and not stonewalled them. Also, as someone suggested on this website, it was a waste of time and talent to build the separate house for the new family. That could have waited (or been done along side the production of spars). The divided labor could have said "Ten spars, ten beams for a house . . ."

Overall, I liked this one better than the others--the worst being Manor House (which was also filled with whiners, especially the chef and kitchen crew). Anyway, I think I could adapt to the circumstances of these shows if I was single. However, with a family it would be very difficult.

Bruce

Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Colonial House

Filming Locations:

Machias, Maine, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thirteen/WNET Communications Group, Wall to Wall Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1