Vanish: Disappearing Icons of Rural America

Disappearing icons of rural America...a remarkable story of past and present. A film & conversation with Historic Routt County & Tread of Pioneers Museum.

This documentary film chronicles the “visual preservation” adventures of fine art photographer, Jim Westphalen, as he travels across the country seeking out and creating stunning imagery of America’s disappearing rural structures. Equal parts art, history and storm chasing, road-trip with Westphalen as he races against time and the unrelenting elements to capture the extraordinary beauty of aging barns, one room schoolhouses, grain elevators, prairie churches and all the classic structures that our country’s rural heritage was built upon. The film also features deep dive interviews with preservation experts as well as the passionate people who strive and struggle to save these fading treasures, sharing their intimate stories of dreams, loss and triumphs.

Written, directed and produced by Jim Westphalen with Academy Award winning story consultant, Doug Blush, Vanish is a call to action; a film designed to make us sit up and notice not only the visual beauty of these structures as they stand today, but, for those who have the passion and resources, a poignant encouragement to at least maintain, if not restore these fading treasures. We are living in a period of profound historical loss all across rural America. For when these structures disappear, along with the generation that knows their stories, another piece of our heritage will be lost forever.

Stay for a conversation with local Routt County historic preservation advocates and experts after the film.