About the The Arnold Ricks Award (formerly the Hiland Hall Award):

This award is presented by the Museum to an individual or organization in recognition of exceptional contributions to the Bennington community and Bennington Museum.

R. Arnold Ricks III (1923 – 2018), Bennington Museum trustee from 1995 to 2015, helped initiate a period of growth and revitalization for the museum. In 2013, the Museum created the Hiland Hall Award to recognize Arnold’s service. Arnold was a long-time resident of Old Bennington and a professor of Modern European History at Bennington College.  He served 40 years as a trustee of the Village of Old Bennington and as the Old Bennington Road Commissioner.  Arnold, an outspoken advocate of Bennington Museum, was highly regarded by all and exemplified the ideal good citizen, gentleman, teacher, historian and role model.