The 1900 House

The 1900 House is a historical reality television programme made by Wall to Wall/Channel 4 in 1999. The show is about a modern family that tries to the live in the way of the late Victorians in 1900 for three months in a modified house. It was shown on Channel 4 in the UK and PBS in America (with American commentary)

Introduction

   
The programme was originally going to be a documentary about late Victorian domestic life, but the idea of a living family doing it was suggested. The concept of reality television at the time was relativity little used. After 400 applications, the Bowler family was selected & the house was made.

The House

The 1900 House in question is 50 Elliscombe Road, Charlton, South-East London. A 1890's-built two-storey terraced house with a drawing room, a dining room, a kitchen, a scullery, a bathroom, three bedrooms (there were actually four, but one was used as a safety room with a telephone) and an outside loo. To make it the 1900 house, major changes were made, such the electricity being taken out and a copper installed.

The Bowler Family

Joyce Bowler

Joyce was the mother of the family. In her normal life, she was a civil servant for Somerset Social Services. She looked after the family and later in her free time she looked at the growing suffragette movement. She had problems with her hair (shampoo wasn't invented) and difficulty with her vegetarian lifestyle.

Paul Bowler

Paul was the father of the family. In normal life, he was a Warrant Officer in the Royal Marines. In the house, he worked in the recruiting office in London (for two months after that he had to go to his regular job in the Marines). He felt that the role of 'Man of the House' was difficult to act.

Kathryn Bowler

Kathryn was a 16-year-old performing-arts student. In the house, she missed her friends and her social life.

Ruth & Hilary Bowler

   
Ruth & Hilary were 11-year-old twins. In the house, they missed their friends and their music.

Joe Bowler

Joe was an 9-year-old boy. In the house, he had difficulty with a loss of sweets and fast-food.

Other People

Daru Rooke

Daru was the resident historian (he helped by post), who helped the family with the 1900 lifestyle. He later visited the house for a dinner party with the family.

Elizabeth Linnington

Because looking after the house became difficult, the Bowlers decided to hire a maid-of-all-work. Elizabeth was chosen, however after a few weeks the family sacked her on the grounds she had bad timekeeping.

Afterwards

   
The show was a ratings winner for Channel 4, so much so that after the programme had finished another series was commissioned.

Copycat shows

UK

  • The 1940's House a family living through the Second World War.
  • The Edwardian Country House
  • The Regency House Party

USA

   

External Links

1900 House website (PBS)

 

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