BENNINGTON, VT —On Sunday, September 13, Bennington Museum will host our Fall Community Day celebrating the start of the school season and honoring a special community leader.  Admission will be FREE all day thanks to support from Stewart’s Shops and the Vermont Country Store.

10am-2pm: Back to School Gallery activities with Bennington Museum

12:30-2:30pm: Music by Vita Olsen in the Center Gallery

1pm: NBOSS Tour lead by curator, Jamie Franklin and participating artists

2-4pm: Annual Meeting in the Paresky Wing

2:45pm: Awards Ceremony

At 2pm, all visitors are invited to gather in the Paresky Education Center for the Annual Meeting and Arnold Ricks Award Ceremony.

Bennington Museum Honors Tom Dee at the Annual Community Day

This year, Bennington Museum is pleased to honor Tom Dee, recently retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, with the Arnold Ricks Award. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization in recognition of exceptional contributions to the Bennington community and Bennington Museum.

Under Dee’s leadership, Southwestern Vermont Health Care achieved twelve consecutive years of positive operating performance, became an institutional member of Dartmouth Health, and received numerous state and national awards for quality of care, community leadership, and workplace excellence. His commitment to community partnerships has also helped to advance local initiatives, including the repurposing of the former Southern Vermont College campus and renovations to the downtown Putnam building.

“Tom has stewarded a truly transformational change in the way the people of this area experience health care,” said Martin Mahoney, Executive Director of Bennington Museum. “But more than that, he understands that a healthy community is built through strong partnerships. This exemplary vision has paved the way for organizations like ours to begin bold projects, to make new connections, and to dream bigger for the benefit of the entire region. For that, we are deeply grateful.”

Dee joins a notable list of other community members who have been recognized for their positive impact on this community, including:

2025: Joe Chirchirillo, 2024: Frances Holbrook, 2023: Bob Tegart, 2022: Michele and John Pagán

In addition to the award presentation, guests are invited to join the Bennington Museum Board of Trustees for a review of the Museum’s accomplishments during fiscal year 2026 and to take a look ahead at the exciting projects planned for the coming year. The Museum’s annual report will be available at the meeting and online.

Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and more information on the event can be found at benningtonmuseum.org.