Eccles Community Art Center

The house known as the Eccles Community Art Center was built in 1893 for James Clarence Armstrong, an Ogden businessman. In 1896, the house was purchased by David and Bertha Eccles. At their invitation, groups such as the Girl Scouts, Children’s Aid Society, Drama Club, Child Culture, Martha Society, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Red Cross all held meetings in the house. In her later years, Bertha Eccles made it known to her family that she would like the building kept intact and used for the purpose of education and cultural development of the community. Bertha Eccles’ wish for her home was granted when her family gave the house to Weber State University in 1948. The house became “Bertha Eccles Hall”, a women’s dormitory and social center. When Weber State moved its campus, the house and other buildings of the downtown campus reverted to the ownership of the LDS Church. In 1953, the Ogden Community Arts Council became interested in providing a center for the arts in this community. Knowing that their goal was most compatible with the wishes of Bertha Eccles, the Ogden Arts Council approached the LDS Church, requesting the house for use as a community art center. A deed to the Eccles home was given to the Council, in 1959. The name given to the facility was Bertha Eccles Community Art Center. In 1976 the name of both the facility and the non-profit organization that supports it was changed to the Eccles Community Art Center. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.