Colonial House

Think colonial life was all about pious pilgrims, powdered wigs and freedom for all? Think again. Following in the footsteps of "Manor House" and "Frontier House," PBS's new eight-part "Colonial House" historical reality series tracks the firsthand experiences of modern-day colonists as they live in the year 1628 for four months on the misty Maine coast, with only the rustic tools and technology of the time at their disposal. Viewers witness the personal and communal challenges of the colonists' day-to-day lives, seeing both the expected -- backbreaking labor, bad weather and primitive living conditions -- as well as the unexpected -- religious conflicts, surprising confessions, devastating news from the outside world and even an AWOL colonist.

Show participants The Wyers Family -- Tammy, Jeff, Bethany and Amy -- were online Tuesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. ET, to discuss their four months "on set" and what they learned during their four-month journey through time on "Colonial House."

"Colonial House" airs on PBS Mondays and Tuesdays, May 17-18 and 24-25 at 8 p.m. ET. (Check local listings).

Bios:
The Wyers Family
Governor and Family
2004: Jeff (45) is a Southern Baptist minister and his wife Tammy (44) is a homemaker. They brought three of their children from their home in Texas to the Colony: Bethany (20), a college student, Amy (17) and David (10).
1628: Jeff was chosen to be the Colony's governor and the family takes possession of the finest house in the Colony. As governor, Jeff is responsible for promoting the interests of the sponsoring company and ensuring that the Colony's ventures are profitable. He is also responsible for the physical and moral survival of the Colony and its members. Three indentured servants live with the family, Paul Hunt, Julia Friese and Clare Samuels.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Anonymous: I watched the show last night and found it fascinating and sort of disturbing. Did it bother you that some people weren't taking things very seriously because they knew it was only four months and the producers wouldn't really let them starve? They acted as if they were on vacation.

The Wyers Family: Actually, we were surprised that more people did not seem to try to acquire more of a 17th century mindset. Several came with very modern 21st century agendas that seemed to be searching for a voice. Of course none of us really felt that our lives were in danger and in all honesty we all had to make the 400 year adjustment. That would not have had to be the case for the original colonists.
Tammy

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Camden, Ohio: Do you feel the original settlers would have been more in agreement with decisions made by the governor because of the persecutions they left behind and the hope of making a better life?

The Wyers Family: Definitely! The governor WAS the law. They knew before undertaking the venture what would be required of them. And of course the severe punishments, all the way unto threat of execution, would have been major incentive to obey and cooperate.
Tammy

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Colorado Springs, Colo.: Your daughter is such a strong young lady in her faith and character. Teenagers are so pressured by their peers into so many negative situations. What would you say as parents you have done to shape this strong teenager to hold true to herself and her faith?

The Wyers Family: From the beginning, God has never been reserved for Sundays. Having a very personal relationship with Jesus Christ has been the foundation of our lives. We strive very hard to live this out and impress upon our children that He is the only one who will never fail them.
Jeff & Tammy

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Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: What (if any) traditions, games, habits, recipes, did you bring back from your experience into the 20th century?

The Wyers Family: We have a new realization of what is really important. After spending so long without junk food and sodas, we decided not to get "hooked" on them again. Water is our beverage of choice now. And we spend much more time visiting as a family outside on the deck than in front of the TV or computer. We actually purchased a firepit so we could enjoy our fireside chats outdoors.
Bethany

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Great Falls, Va.: Was this experience harder in a physical sense or more mentally draining?

The Wyers Family: MENTALLY and EMOTIONALLY!!! Missing loved ones was next to unbearable. Having NO communication with the outside world is tougher than we ever thought it could be.
Bethany

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Washington, D.C. - A question for the Girls!: So, how hard was it to be away from the real world in terms of soap, shampoo, makeup etc? I bet it was tough, I don't think I could do it!

p.s. Were any of the bachelors cute?

The Wyers Family: We thought that the clothes would be tough but we would just loosen the corset and keep going. It was breezy without britches but found it much more convenient given the bathroom situation. Bathing and makeup were not a big deal. Our family had camped enough beforehand. We spent so much time around the fire that we were smoked like jerky and that was the only smell we had.
Cute, but really became like big brothers to us girls.
Amy

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Washington, D.C.: After reading the description of the show and your bios, all I have to say is OH MY! How did you do it? How did the kids adjust to the dramatic change in lifestyle?

The Wyers Family: I think that the kids adjusted better than the adults, with the exception of David. He had a difficult time with the food. But once our bodies got used to it, even that was not so much of a problem. As parents, we had so many other concerns that made our time much more metally and emotionally difficult.
Tammy

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Bloomington, Ind.: Was it difficult to be in the mindset of Colonial Times when cameras were following you around? Were they intrusive?

The Wyers Family: You never completely got into the colonial mindset because the outside world was constantly barging in. The cameras were just a reminder of this. Eventhough we became good friends with the camera crew, there were definitely times when they were in the way and interrupted work we needed to do to survive. There were also times, they just seemed to disappear and we became oblivious to their presence.
Bethany

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Windsor, Ontario, Canada: What modern convenience did you miss the most?

The Wyers Family: Electricity! We missed being able to turn on lights. The houses were dark even in the daytime. Opening the windows or door for more light would let in a wind that would put out your fire or fill your house with smoke. And at night it was darker than you can imagine.
Amy

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Punta Gorda, Fla.: Why did Jeff return to the show after being declared deceased?

The Wyers Family: I don't think that Jeff was ever declared deceased. I think that the narrator may have compared his departure with times that a colony might lose a governor to death.
Tammy

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Westfield, N.J.: Do you keep in touch with any of the other participants?

The Wyers Family: Yes. By phone and constant emails. We even went and stayed with Don Wood in New York. We have more visits planned with several. We have many new friends.
Tammy

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Cambridge, Mass.: Did you lose a lot of weight/feel more in shape after the limited food supply and back-breaking work routine?

The Wyers Family: Yes! Hooray! We may start a new Colonial Diet Plan. It's called, "Starve and Never Stop Working!"
Tammy

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Memphis, Tenn.: In the first episode, I saw no evidence of a clock, hourglass, or sundial. How did you tell time? Did you learn to tell time by the sun?

The Wyers Family: I guess I've spent enough time outdoors that I had a pretty good sense of what time it was. The sun and the animals became our clocks. Rooster crows abt. 5am. Goats need milking about 8am. and 6pm. Chickens lay eggs 10:30am. et... Dark-thirty go to bed.
Jeff

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Memphis, Tenn.: How did you clean your teeth?

The Wyers Family: There were small sticks we were given called licorice root. We would chew on the end to fray it and rub it on our teeth. It had some flavor and was better than nothing.
David

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Absecon, N.J.: To Bethany and Amy:
Did you feel like you were in a position of privilege or got special treatment because you were the governor's daughters?

The Wyers Family: The only priviledge given to us was that our shoes had heels. This only made walking in the dirt clumps more difficult not to mention climbing a fence into a pig pen.
We worked as much and as hard as everyone else and were treated the same. Eventhough our home had servants, we all worked together like siblings.
Beth & Amy

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Morgantown, W. Va.: Where did the production crew and etc. stay and better yet eat?

The Wyers Family: They had houses and apartment not too far out of the colony. They would come in smelling like soap or hamburgers. That was hard to take!
Amy

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Fascinating program last night: I look forward eagerly to the rest of the episodes.

Have you had a hard time re-connecting with real life?

The Wyers Family: For a while we continued to wake up about 4 a.m. We would also find ourselves looking for and noticeing good pieces of wood or sticks for fire or broadleaf plants for "toilet paper". We also found the outside world very noisy and tv and advertisement seemed shallow and obnoxious. We were also a little bored.
Bethany

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Edinburg, Va.: Tonight while watching the show, my heart completely went out to Bethany when it was told that her fiance was killed in an auto accident. How is she doing? And also, how is her brother? I know that this is such a tragedy, but always remember that we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all!

The Wyers Family: This last year has been very hard of course but she has done very well. We have such a strong support system of family and friends. Also the realization that this is all part of God's plan for us has helped get us through. Our son, Jeff Jr., has fully recovered and is doing very well. Our family is closer than ever. Thank you so much for caring.
Tammy

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Los Angeles, Calif.: Jeff, in a one-on-one moment with the camera, you said that you wanted to re-create the lives of people who were in search of religious freedom. A few minutes later, there was a line about many colonists being "lured by propaganda" about a bountiful paradise. It seems to me that there must surely have been people like you're trying to portray, but that this notion about the freedom to praise God is, in general, a bit romanticized. Don't you think the promise of land ownership was a little more important?

Very interesting show so far. I look forward to the next episode -- and thanks to you all for participating.

The Wyers Family: Certainly there were people who came here just for the money. But the Separatists and Puritans who fled to this country to escape imprisonment and torture for wanting a Bible based faith, would hardly qualify as a romantic idea. These are the people who brought with them the roots of ideas, like the Puritan work ethic, and freedom from government control of the Church. It was Christian principles that set this country apart, not economic endeavor.
Jeff

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Charlotte, N.C.: Mrs. Wyers,

Who you were referring to when you made the statement that "they" were still dangerous "don't you watch the 10 o'clock news?"

The Wyers Family: I believe that what I jokingly said to my little boy was "there are still dangers".
Tammy

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Peterborough, Ontario, Canada: Bethany, my heart was broken to hear about your loss on the show, and already I'm missing you and your family after leaving the colony. I see that Jeff returns; will the rest of the family return as well?

The Wyers Family: Thanks for caring. Stay tuned tonight!
Bethany

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Washington, D.C.: When you first arrived and your son was sick and feverish did you ever think forget this my son needs a doctor or did you ever worry it would get to that point? Did they have doctors available behind the scenes if needed?

The Wyers Family: Yes, there was a doctor behind the scenes if needed for emergencies. As much as possible, we were encouraged to do our best to get through sickness and injury without modern intervention.
Jeff

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Washington, D.C.: You had three indentured servants living with you. How easy was it to think of a person as your property and not as a person?

The Wyers Family: At first we had difficulty with this idea. But then we realized that indentured servants were more like employees who lived with your family for a time. We all shared chores and the household equally. They became much like older children in our home.
Tammy

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Pasadena, Calif.: Did anyone do any research into how people actually lived in 1628?

The Wyers Family: A lot of research went into it. More info. can be found at Plimoth Plantation in Boston, Mass. where we trained. There is also a lot of info about this on the website.
Jeff

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Glenview, Ill.: I am fan of the show, and I will continue watch having to accept my own responsibilities as a young teenager. But my question was when everyone was at Sunday Service and Carolyn Heinz talked about tumultous times in 2003 she probably meant the War in Iraq. When was the taping of this show?

The Wyers Family: May 2003 through Oct. 2003.
Tammy

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Hermitage, Pa.: Why no firearms or weapons of any kind? No fishing gear, no snaring of small animals. I don't think the first settlers only thought of planting corn. Isn't it true they learned of maze from the indians? I think the reason the first settlers floundered was because they had no training of any kind. Weren't they looking for relegious freedom? they probably thought the lord would provide. Good Stuff, this show, I would to do it... I think.

The Wyers Family: We didn't have guns because of insurance purposes. They may have worried that we'd break under the stress and take "pot-shots" at the cameraman. We did try bow hunting, setting snares, and fishing. Just had lousy luck. That's why those muskrats looked so tastey!
Jeff

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Lebanon, Tenn.: I got a very strong sense that a number of the participants wanted 21st century "norms" to apply to their roles in the village (especially some of the more "liberated" women). Did they not realize prior to making the commitment to participate that at this time they'd NOT come a long way, baby? Seemed extremely selfish to the endeavor to me.

The Wyers Family: We were a little surprised at this and some of the other attitudes also.
Tammy

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Alexandria, Va.: Had you seen the show before it aired last night? Does the finish product match the feeling of the experiences you had at the time?

The Wyers Family: For our family, it brings it all painfully home to us. But there is no way to bottle 4 months of exhaustion and emotion into only 8 hours. By and large, our family has been pleased with what we've seen.
Jeff

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Maple Grove, Minn.: My coworker and I were discussing the muskrat that you ate. Did it really taste good or were you just so hungry that it seemed to taste good?

The Wyers Family: That's a good question! We don't really know. But there probably isn't much that a hungry belly and southern frying couldn't make taste good. Fresh meat was definitely a welcomed change!
Tammy

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Rochester, N.Y.: Jeff,

What did you like and dislike about your leadership role? How did it compare to your work as a pastor?

The Wyers Family: In some ways it was like a pastoral role in that you are trying to motivate volunteers. However, in a church setting, most everybody has a common goal.
Jeff

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Arvada, Colo.: Did any of these "participants" have any useful skills prior to joining this show? Weaving? Spinning? Hunting? Tanning? Farming? Goatherding?

It seemed none of them were really prepared for hard work when they got there.

The Wyers Family: For the sake of highlighting the differences in colonial life and much of American life, it seems the participants were largely drawn from a pool of apartment dwellers. So obviously, outdoor skills were minimally represented. We did have a seamstress, a carpenter, and a few members with camping and cooking skills.
Jeff

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Ft. Collins, Colo.: To the girls, how did you deal with life without simple hygenic needs (i.e. bras, tampons, shampoo) and was it worth it?

The Wyers Family: You get used to not bathing and not having undergarments. Other "things" were done like women have had to do it since the beginning of time. If they could do it, so could we. You do what you have to do. Yes, it was worth it. It's neat to know now that we can handle whatever.
Amy

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Cincinnati, Ohio: Bethany and Amy, comparing young people today to then, why might it have been better for young people to have to work as a contributor to the family and colony?

The Wyers Family: I think that if young people had as much responsibility as they had back then, they would appreciate what they have much more. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." They would also have more respect for what their parents do. You are forced to grow up a lot faster too.
Beth & Amy

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washingtonpost.com: Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET chat with Colonial House participants Amy-Kristina Herbert and Jonathon Allen.

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Cincinnati, Ohio: Comparing then to now, what do you think accounts for the general sense of unhappiness or stress in 21st century U.S. society -- especially considering the modern conveniences and our relative easy workload?

The Wyers Family: Eventhough life was very hard back then, there was much more of a sense of worth and accomplishment at the end of the day. Closure is good. There was much more of a sense of community then also. I don't know if they were much happier back then or not. But I do know that many people are too busy chasing money that they deny themselves the time to spend with family or their creator. That is a sure recipe for emotional and spiritual disaster.
Jeff

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Memphis, Tenn.: Now that you have lived in a society where attendance at public worship was mandatory and violation of religious norms was publicly punished, do you think that society back then was better off because of that? If you could bring it about, would you have society return to a time when religion was practiced the way it was among the colonists?

The Wyers Family: No, I don't think mandatory religious observance is useful. You cannot force faith. Watch tonight and see the tension.
Jeff

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Minford, Ohio: Was there any task or situation that you absolutely refused to participate, or that you regret doing during your stay at Colonial House?

The Wyers Family: I absolutly refused to banish people from the Colony. Watch tonight.
Regrets-not deligating trading with the Indians to John Vorhees early on.
Jeff

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Orlando, Fla.: Jeff, You made the comment on the show last night that you wanted your family and viewers of the program to understand what it must have been like for Christians to escape religious persecution in England for the chance of freedom in the new world. This came at a price, however, as friends and family often died to see this dream come true. From this experience on the show, do you think there are any similarities today for which Christians must and do suffer?

The Wyers Family: More Christians have died for their faith in the last century than in all other centuries combined.

As for suffering, follow the Holy Spirits guidance-disciple making comes at a price.
Jeff

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Naugatuck, Conn.: You all knew this experience would end in a few months, but would you still have signed up if it was closer to one year, or what if this was real life. Could you last?

The Wyers Family: I don't know that we would ever take on such a lengthy project without our family together. A year is a long time.
In real life, you lean on God and you can get through whatever you have to.
Tammy

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Virginia Beach, Va.: Did everyone lose weight and if so what was the most amount that someone lost?

The Wyers Family: Yes we all lost weight. Jeff lost 35 lbs., Tammy lost 25 lbs., and the girls traded in for muscle. we all came back much more fit.
Tammy

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Sparta, Tenn.: Bethany,
I just wanted to say how sorry I was to watch the show and learn that your fiance passed away and your brother was hurt. I was wondering how you and your brother are? Also at the end of the show, we saw your dad back. Will you and your other family be coming back and if so, how did you cope with everything? If not, what made you decide to allow your dad to go back? You were commented on by someone as being a rock. It was so apparent to me, just from one night that you're an amazing young lady of faith. I hope during these troubled times you are seeing the peace that passes all understanding. Best to you all.

The Wyers Family: Thank you for your concern. My Brother is doing well and I am continuing to lean on God to be MY ROCK (Psalm 18)during this time. My dad's decision to return was a hard one. We all prayed a lot. But the Lord was in this and told us what He needed us to do. I do have a Peace that could only come from HIM. Watch tonight to see what happens next.
Bethany

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Newark, N.J.: How did you find out about the opportunity of being on the show?

The Wyers Family: We found out about the show from the PBS website. Be careful checking it out or you might end up 400 years back in time.
Bethany

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Ottawa, Canada: On seeing how people were suffering with illness I was wondering what were the ground rules going into this experience regarding "modern" medical attention? On a lighter note, after all the beans and salted fish/meat, was there anything you particularly appreciated being able to eat on your return?

The Wyers Family: Emergencies would be treated by modern medicine.

We all enjoyed eating fruit and COW MILK again!!
Bethany

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Colorado Springs, Colo.: Hello,
Just wondering your feelings about having members in the group not believe in God/Christ and eventually not want to participate in the Sunday services? I am an atheist myself and wondered if it was a stipulation in being picked to do this reality series that you had to be Christian. Have you ever met other nonbelievers and would you consider these people your friends even though they didn't believe in God/Christ?

The Wyers Family: Of course I know non-believers and I don't hate them. Watch tonight.

Many of the colonists who are not believers remain my friends today.
Jeff

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Collinsville, Va.: How was living apart from the rest of your family hard, and how did you cope with it?

The Wyers Family: Yes, it was very hard. I kept reminding myself of the many soldiers who have gone into much worse circumstances for longer periods of time and that I should not feel sorry for myself. All in all, I probably handled it poorly.
Jeff

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Eminence, Ky.: Just wanted to say thank you for showing me what my ancestor who did come over on the Mayflower the Fuller family. There daily lives and there quest for freedom of any kind especially religious. Never knew it was that tough, I do not think I could do what they did. Again Thank You.

The Wyers Family: You are welcome. Thank you for watching.
The Wyers

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