The Historical Society had a very pleasant surprise several weeks ago.

The City minutes from 1897 to 1930 which had been missing by best guess for about 80 years were

returned in very good condition.

We are in the process of digitizing them, for future research.

Through the efforts of many of the Historical society members.

The Museum made a giant step forward, creating displays so we were able to be open for

Holdingford Daze July 11 -12.  We had many people visit the museum.

At present the Museum is open by special arrangement

Film crew will be in Holdingford filming for the ‘MINNESOTA 13’ documentary

Elaine Davis, author of the book ‘MINNESOTA 13’  and her film crew will be in Holdingford filming for the ‘MINNESOTA 13’ documentary during Holdingford Daze on Saturday July 12th.

She is also donating a case of 50 books worth $800 to the Holdingford Area Historical Society, with all proceeds going to the HAHS.  Thanks Elaine!

When you come to Holdingford Daze on Saturday the 12th, be sure to visit the Museum.

The HistoricalSociety has a number of souvenirs available for purchase.

Follow the filmmaking on Facebook.

‘MINNESOTA 13’ DOCUMENTARY FILMING IN STEARNS COUNTY'

PRESS RELEASE   6/24/2014 

‘MINNESOTA 13’ DOCUMENTARY FILMING IN STEARNS COUNTY

Local Prohibition history is making the transition from book to film, as documentary filming takes place in various county locations this summer.  

“Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass” follows the colorful moonshine-making history of Stearns County, as Depression-devastated farmers turned to making illegal alcohol. 

The alcohol evolved into a branded product, nationally distributed, with a premium reputation. 

The film explores Elaine Davis’s book ‘Minnesota 13-Wet Wild Prohibition Days,” the history of an elite whiskey produced in the heart of Minnesota during Prohibition years and beyond. 

The documentary also follows the modern-day attempts of organic farmers growing Minnesota 13 heritage corn seed and a St. Paul micro-distiller resuscitating the brand as premium whiskey.  

The film will intertwine and interpret the stories, the lore, ethnicity, religion, local and national law enforcement, geography, farm economics, regional history and insights into why Stearns County didn’t become the ‘Jack Daniels” producing area of the USA after Prohibition ended.   

Documentarians Norah Shapiro and Kelly Nathe are co-directing/co-producing the film. Norah Shapiro is a Minneapolis-based independent documentary filmmaker (formerly a public defender) and owner of Flying Pieces Productions.  Los Angeles-based Kelly Nathe is closely connected to the story, with family and childhood ties to Holdingford and Little Birch Lake in western Stearns County, where significant moonshining took place and Al Capone visited. 

 Filming is ongoing at 11 Wells Distillery in the refurbished Hamms Brewery in St Paul, the Stearns History Museum and Research Center, Baker's Acres in Avon,  the Stearns County jail, the city of Holdingford and other local community sites. 

The documentary has been partially funded with Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds from Minnesota's Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

Follow the filmmaking on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MN13doc.  If you have any unique ‘Minnesota 13’ historical contributions to the film, such as photographs, artifacts, tunnels, blackened cooking rooms, intact stills in place, arrest records, or wish to be interviewed, please contact Elaine Davis with your info.  612 968 1109 or edavis@stcloudstate.edu

"Minnesota 13"

Elaine Davis author of  "Minnesota 13" is on Facebook

Listen to very interesting to podcast of interview of Elaine Davis, KVSC's Arts and Cultural Heritage Producer Jeff Carmack  ANOTHER SIP OF MINNESOTA 13.

She talks a lot about holdingford people.