A
quarter-century older than first thought, this gracious
Victorian Second Empire-style home was built about 1857
by Ethelbert Bright, and had several owners before the turn
of the century. During the Civil War, soldiers were billeted
here. It was owned for almost 60 years by the John Schaap
family until it became the home of the Fort Smith Art Center
in 1959. It later was the first house restored to its original
elegance when the Belle Grove Historic District was created.
Galleries of fine paintings, sculptures, and permanent and
changing exhibits make it worth a visit.
423 NORTH SIXTH STREET, (479) 784-ARTS (2787)
Open Tues-Sat 9:30 am - 4:30 pm; Sun 2 pm - 4 pm. No admission
charge.
FORT SMITH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2 North B, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 1-800-637-1477 | (479) 783-8888 Fax (479) 784-2421 E-Mail:tourism@fortsmith.org
A
quarter-century older than first thought, this gracious
Victorian Second Empire-style home was built about 1857
by Ethelbert Bright, and had several owners before the turn
of the century. During the Civil War, soldiers were billeted
here. It was owned for almost 60 years by the John Schaap
family until it became the home of the Fort Smith Art Center
in 1959. It later was the first house restored to its original
elegance when the Belle Grove Historic District was created.
Galleries of fine paintings, sculptures, and permanent and
changing exhibits make it worth a visit. 
