2025
Travis Van Alstyne’s Short Film Honors Farmer Romaine Tenney
November 25, 2025 – Seven Days
With hand-drawn animation and pitch-perfect narration, the South Burlington filmmaker draws a poignant portrait of the Ascutney man who faced a stark choice.
Chester native Travis Van Alstyne wins 2025 Hathaway History Award
October 22, 2025 – The Chester Telegraph
Chester native and filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne was awarded the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award by the Vermont Historical Society for his animated short film Love of the Land.
How a VT film about an Ascutney farmer’s suicide earned a Burlington animator an award
October 20, 2025 – Burlington Free Press
Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne has been honored with the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award for his animated short film “Love of the Land,” according to an announcement.
Vermont Historical Society announces 2025 Hathaway Award Winner
October 19, 2025 – Bennington Banner
The Vermont Historical Society is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award: Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne, for his animated short film Love of the Land.
Vermont Historical Society announces 2025 Hathaway Award winner
October 17, 2025 – VermontBiz
Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne has been named winner of the Vermont Historical Society’s 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award for his animated short film “Love of the Land.”
Farmer in path of I-91 burned down barn and killed himself
October 17, 2025 – Vermont Daily Chronicle
A haunting piece of Vermont history — the story of Ascutney farmer Romaine Tenney — has been brought to life in animation and has earned its creator, Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne, the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award from the Vermont Historical Society.
Announcing the winner of the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award
October 16, 2025 – Vermont Historical Society
The Vermont Historical Society is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Richard O. Hathaway Award: Burlington filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne, for his animated short film Love of the Land.
2024
60 years later, a Vermont farmer’s tragic tale lives on. But for how much longer?
September 8, 2024 – VTDigger
On Sept. 12, 1964, Romaine Tenney locked himself in his Weathersfield house and lit it on fire to protest its imminent bulldozing for Interstate 91. Today, fewer and fewer neighbors are around to share his story.
Chester native’s animated short tells of Romaine Tenney’s ‘Love of the Land’
September 4, 2024 – Chester Telegraph
On Thursday, Sept. 12 and again on the Saturday, Sept. 14, Chester native Travis Van Alstyne will be presenting his short animation about the last year of Tenney’s life, Love of the Land at the Springfield Cinema 3
Film Depicts Tragic Story Of Vermont Farmer
August 6, 2024 – Caledonian Record
The film “Love of the Land” will screen Saturday, August 24 at Catamount Arts. This short animated film is based on the true and tragic story of Vermont farmer Romaine Tenney. It focuses on the last year of his life, in 1964 Vermont.
Short film highlights life, legacy of Vermont farmer
August 1, 2024 – Addison County Independent
Romaine Tenney loved the Ascutney farm he spent his life on. So much so that when the farmer’s property was on the path of construction for Interstate 91 in 1964, Tenney refused to leave his home or accept any buy-out offers from the state.
Vermont animator tells story of land, conservation and perspective
July 21, 2024 – Bennington Banner
The story of Romaine Tenney, a farmer in the 1960s, who died in a self-set fire when his farm was swallowed up by the path of the interstate system in a case of eminent domain, is an interesting story of psyche, belonging but also of perspective.
Local filmmaker tells Vermont story in ‘Love of the Land,’ short film coming July 16 to Welden Theatre
July 9, 2024 – Saint Albans Messenger
Local filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne always knew he wanted to tell a Vermont story.
The News Project: In Studio – ‘Love Of The Land’ At The Arlington Common
July 8, 2024 – Greater Northshire Access Television
Get ready to step back in time and into the heart of Vermont’s history! A must-see short animated film is coming to The Arlington Common, bringing to life a fascinating Vermont tale from 60 years ago.
Farmer who died during interstate expansion remembered in new film
May 21, 2024 – NBC5
A Vermont-made short film tells the tragic true story of a small-town farmer who died during a high-profile highway project.
Local filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne tells Vermont story in “Love of the Land”
May 20, 2024 – The Essex Reporter
Local filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne always knew he wanted to tell a Vermont story. A Chester native and a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design’s animation program, Van Alystne has loved animation since childhood.
‘Love of the Land’: Animated film highlights tragic story of Vermont farmer Romaine Tenney
May 15, 2024 – Vermont Public
The new animated short film “Love of the Land,” from Vermont filmmaker Travis Van Alstyne, tells the story of Ascutney farmer Romaine Tenney, whose farm was seized by eminent domain in 1964 in order to build Interstate 91.
ON THE WATERFRONT: FIRST TIME FILMMAKER AND ANIMATOR TRAVIS VAN ALSTYNE
May 15, 2024 – CCTV
Host Mariah Riggs interviews first time filmmaker and animator Travis Van Alstyne about his recently completed animation.
Animated Vermont story hits the silver screen
May 10, 2024 – WCAX
A Burlington man is encapsulating a piece of Vermont’s history and bringing it to the big screen.
Short film on Vermont farmer’s tragic legacy to premier
May 8, 2024 – ABC22/FOX44
On May 23, Essex Cinemas is debuting a locally made short film called, Love of the Land, a film about the life and legacy of Vermont farmer Romaine Tenney.
Vermont Viewpoint Interview
March 25, 2024 – WDEV
Brad Ferland of Vermont Viewpoint interviews Travis Van Alstyne about Romaine Tenney history and his upcoming short animated film.
2023
Van Alstyne Earns Grant for Short
March 16, 2023 – Eagle Times
Travis Van Alstyne, a Chester native, has received a grant to complete his animated short, ‘Love of the Land.’
Chester native Travis Van Alstyne awarded grant to complete film on Romaine Tenney
March 15, 2023 – The Chester Telegraph
A Chester native who has been painstakingly working on a short, animated film, Love of the Land, since 2019 has been recognized for his work with a $4,100 grant from Vermont Public’s “Made Here Fund.”
Vermont Public announces 2023 Made Here Fund recipients
March 14, 2023 – Vermont Public
Local content creators will receive a total of $100,000 from Vermont Public’s Made Here Fund.
2021
Chester native traces story of Romaine Tenney
October 12, 2021 – The Chester Telegraph
Travis Van Alstyne animates the farmer’s last year, last days.