Three contemporary American families live19th-century life in the Montana wilderness in this six-hour "experiential history" series. Chosen from more than 5,000 applicants for the project, the Glenn family of Tennessee, the Clune family of California, and the Brooks family of Massachusetts live as 1880s homesteaders, with only the tools and technology of the period at their disposal. They dress, eat and live as their pioneering ancestors would have lived, cabins and all. Throughout their historic adventure, the cameras of FRONTIER HOUSE roll, revealing the families' trials, triumphs, simple pleasures and daily rigors. Before embarking on their time-trip, the participants visited historic Virginia City, Montana, where staff provided orientation about tools and tricks of the past, including training in the use of antique household implements, cooking ingredients and products for cleaning and personal hygiene.