Produced by Emmy® Award-winning documentary filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, “Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” tells the story of the famous writer’s life in Cincinnati, Ohio and how those life-changing experiences contributed to her best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Beecher-Stowe lived in Cincinnati between 1832 and 1850, and after her move to Maine, she adapted her observations and anti-slavery sentiment into America’s most influential novel.
Historians, writers and scholars providing insight into Harriet’s life include Pulitzer Prize winning author of “Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Life”, Joan Hedrick; author Philip McFarland, "Loves of Harriet Beecher Stowe"; historians Christine Anderson, Chris DeSimio, John E. Douglass, John Getz, Michelle Watts, and Betty Campbell, site manager of the John Rankin House.
Clips from Fourth Wall Films’ award-winning docudrama “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” are included in the documentary and feature acclaimed actors from the Quad Cities region including award-winning actress Jessica Taylor who portrays a young Harriet Beecher. The voice of Harriet Beecher Stowe was presented throughout the documentary by actress Dee Canfield of Moline.
A number of Ohio historic sites appear in the film, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, the John Rankin House in Ripley, the General Harrison Canal Boat at the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency in Piqua; and Old Washington Historic District in Maysville, Kentucky.
“Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” was partially funded by a grant from the Ohio Humanities, a State affiliate of The National Endowment for the Humanities. The documentary is the recipient of a Mid-America Emmy® nomination.