Channel logo

Colonial House

Season 1
Twenty-six participants leave the 21st century to start a 17th century colony in coastal Maine. Set in the year 1628, they will live by the laws of the time while trying to build a prosperous community in Colonial America.
20048 episodesTV-PG
Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy

Prime membership required

The price before discount is the median price for the last 90 days.

Limited time offer. Terms apply.

Terms apply

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - A New World
    May 17, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    It's 1628 and 25 colonists are sailing for the colony they'll call home for five months. It's cold and damp on-board, but they'll have to get used to that. They'll also have to get used to illness, having to go to the bathroom in the woods and dealing with Native Americans. And they must get used to backbreaking work. "Every minute," moans one woman---and she's the governor's wife.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  2. S1 E2 - Harsh Reality
    May 16, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    It's June, but it's still cold at night, by day there are mosquitos and maize must be planted. Lay minister Don Heinz has a tough congregation, not all of whom are believers. At least the Native Americans are friendly, and several arrive bearing a gift: a muskrat to eat and rationed beer. But then a tragedy strikes the governor's family and the colonists lose their focus.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  3. S1 E3 - City of God
    May 17, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    Gov. Wyers returns alone five weeks after the death of daughter Bethany's fiancé, ready attempt to turn the colony into the idealized Puritan "city on the hill." But it won't be easy to enforce 17th-century laws, particularly the one mandating church attendance. The Voorhees family goes skinny dipping instead the first week, and it's clear that the requirement is unenforceable.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  4. S1 E4 - The Outsiders
    May 17, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    Reinforcements arrive, almost doubling the colony's population. That means more hands, but also more mouths to feed and cramped living quarters. So Gov. Wyers decides to build another house. Meanwhile, freeman Dominic leaves the colony for two days, Amy-Kristina leaves for good, and indentured servant Jonathan takes Don and Carolyn into his confidence in a manner he'd be unlikely to use in 1628.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  5. S1 E5 - Regime Change
    May 18, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    It's August and the Verdecia house is finished but food supplies are dwindling and a torpor pervades the colony. "We're not living up to ourselves," says freeman Don Wood at Sunday services. Then Gov. Wyers announces that he and his family must leave because his daughter has been hospitalized in Texas. Who'll take his place? That's not all that the shakeup will entail.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  6. S1 E6 - Shake Up
    May 23, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    The shakeup continues as Colonial House Company sends its "cape merchant," Jack Lecza, to the colony to make it more businesslike. Jack's full of good ideas, and he isn't a tyrant. Meanwhile, Michelle Voorhees' refusal to attend Sunday services has become an issue again, since her husband John has been chosen as the new assistant governor.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  7. S1 E7 - The Reckoning
    May 24, 2004
    52min
    TV-PG
    As the experiment enters its final weeks, Gov. Heinz is optimistic and makes plans for "creative" projects. This breeds resentment among servants who must split logs and women who must cook. Meanwhile, a contingent of Native Americans has set up camp on a hill overlooking the colony. They're resentful too--of European colonialism.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy
  8. S1 E8 - Judgment Day
    May 25, 2004
    53min
    TV-PG
    The colonists say farewell to Colonial House, but first there's a final dinner for some honored guests--their "assessors" among them. They'll judge the colonists as they will, but Gov. Heinz is satisfied that he has overseen a successful community. Then it's back to the 21st century for showers, followed by reflections.
    Free trial of PBS Documentaries or buy

Details

More info

By clicking play, you agree to our Terms of Use.