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Frontier to Freedom is a new documentary examining Michigan’s history, from when the first European settlers arrived, up to its establishment as the twenty-sixth state of the Union.
Keith Patterson, the doc’s writer, director and producer, wanted to explore a side of the state’s history that often goes unsung.
“During that time period, the Michigan region was really important strategically, because of the Great Lakes,” Patterson said.
The feature covers from the 1600s all the way to 1837, starting in the days of the fur trade to widespread conflict in the American Revolution.
“One thing that a lot of people don’t know is there was actually Revolutionary War military action in what we call the state of Michigan,” he added.
While also looking at what the state’s history means in the context of America turning 250.
“As it keeps expanding and it reaches more people, it’s really been a good catalyst to get a conversation started about our own history,” he said.
Frontier to Freedom premiered June 5 at the Celebration Cinema Knapp’s Corner location.
“The premiere was so fun, you know,” Patterson said. “We sold out. We had kind of an opening ceremony from the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution, which is our fiscal sponsor, WGVU Public Media, which is another one of our distributors for PBS, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and our cast and crew, and many of our other underwriters were there, and we just really had a great time.”
The film’s positive response even got it an extended run at theaters in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven and Lansing.
“It’s really just been a true honor to be trusted to tell this story, and really have, like, you know, the official story of Michigan during this time period,” Patterson said.
Ticket information and more about the documentary can be found on its website.
Patterson said the documentary will also premiere on WGVU on July 2 at 9 pm.
