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.

Holdingford Daze-Historical Society Booth

Holdingford Daze was a very good day, we got to talk to a lot of people and we sold our "Mn13 non-alcoholic water", "Mn 13" t-shirts, sweatshirts but the highlight of the day was Special guest Elaine Davis author of "Minnesota 13" she was gracious enough to donate the proceeds of her book sales that day which totaled $544, to the Holdingford Area Historical Society, with the money to go toward restoration of the old city maintenance building to be used as a history museum. It's one of the oldest buildings in town. Very cool !!

Mn 13 non-alcoholic Water

Elmer Ebnet one of the famous Ebnet brothers. Who knows more than he likes to admit about Minnesota 13 and it's history. He is pictured here after buying the very 1st bottle of Mn 13 non-alcoholic water from the Holdingford Area Historical Society. He said in true Elmer fashion, that he had never boughten a bottle of water in his life and this one he wasn't ever going to open unless his barber shop was burning.
Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13 Moonshine Mn 13

Bottled Minnesota 13

Now that we are adding to the Historical Society's line of Minnesota 13 products. We have started the process a few weeks back of trademarking,Minnesota 13, Mn 13.
The design below is on our water bottles, that we will be selling this weekend at the Carmel Roll Ride, which is starting in Holdingford this year. Along with the Mn 13 shirts and shirts here

Tags: Holdingford small cities history Minnesota History Stearns County History Minnesota 13