Prohibition & Iowa's Bootlegging Legacy

Join Iowa historical fiction writer, Ann Hanigan Kotz, as she takes you through the early 20th century in her program, Iowa’s Prohibition & Bootlegging Legacy. You’ll discover the state’s Prohibition journey along with why many families turned to bootlegging. Ann takes you through the distant past, beginning with the murder of a pastor in Sioux City, the tarring of an official by the Iowa City Beer Mafia, the rumrunning of Iowa’s infamous rye whiskey in Templeton, and ending with the current exploits of today’s underground whiskey business. Attendees over 21 (with valid ID) can participate in a complementary whiskey tasting. 

Ann Hanigan Kotz was born in Denison, Iowa, and lived on a farm southwest of town with her parents and five siblings. During her summers, she spent time at the Carnegie Library, reading becoming a passion early in her life.

After high school, Ann attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. She started her education career in 1988 and continued teaching high school English for 33 years, finishing at Waukee High School in central Iowa. She also received a Master of Arts in Education from Viterbo University.

As a teacher, Ann was passionate about making her students better writers and readers. She credits her writing ability to studying and teaching the craft. Later in her profession, Ann taught college-level classes to high school students who themselves wanted to become teachers. Ann considers teaching one of the most honorable professions.

Retired from teaching, Ann Hanigan Kotz currently resides in Adel, Iowa, with her husband John Kotz.