Three families and seven individuals attempt to build an authentic working colony in New England, using only 17th-century tools.
The cooperative venture gets underway, but the colonists lack motivation; the governor's family receives tragic news.
Gov. Wyers returns to take charge of his colony; the colonists struggle to shake their modern sensibilities and adhere to restrictive 17th-century laws.
Food rations are cut in half; colonists must work together to build a new house.
Lay preacher Don Heinz becomes the new governor of the colony.
A cape merchant arrives to check up on the new venture on behalf of the sponsoring company; clamming, fishing and spar production get underway.
The harvest is a success; members of the Wampanoag tribe visit the colony.
The colonists celebrate Michaelmas; after a panel assesses the colony's performance, the participants depart for the 21st century.