10 Years of Restoration on the Warm Springs Bathhouses

Ten years ago marks the commencement of a restoration plan for the Warm Springs Bath Houses. The Warm Springs Bathhouses were originally listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register (1968) and The National Register of Historic Places (1969). In 2011, The Bath Houses were listed among Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.

In 2012, The Preservation Bath Organization commenced discussions with KSL (then the owner of the Pools as part of The Homestead property) to recognize the significance of the Bath Houses and that they could be restored.

John Matteo on ladder conducting inspections to prepare a Condition Assessment Report in June 2012.

KSL agreed to a structural engineer visit to prepare a Condition Assessment Report. John Matteo came down from northern Virginia on June 19, 2012 to do the work—pro bono. It provided the basis for the negotiations with KSL about selling or gifting the Pools to Preservation Bath. And, it was of significant value later on when Omni took ownership of The Homestead and chose to take the next important step—the preparation of a Historic Structures Report.

In 2016 Omni Hotels began the Historic Structures study, performed by Gibson Worsham. In his report he highlighted:

• The octagon-shaped pool was created circa 1773. It was probably originally surrounded by shrubbery to provide some privacy for bathers.
• The pool called the “Great Bath” was used by men and women, at alternating times during the day.
• The covered structure (now called the Men’s Bath House) was built in the late 1820s.
• In the mid-1800s, there was a separate small “ladies” bathing house. It was replaced by the current Women’s Bath House in 1875.
• Both bath houses were built to provide for entrance to separate dressing rooms from the exterior of the buildings.
• The reception building (Victorian Cottage) was built in 1890.

Unfortunately in the fall of 2017, Bath County directed the Homestead to stop operations at the pools and close the reception building due to safety concerns.

Preservation Bath is still actively working with the Homestead on a restoration plan and renovations are currently still under way with the assistance of architect firm 3North and Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Ed Pillsbury, architect and principal at 3North says, “While we knew the structures were in poor condition, we discovered that everything was in considerably worse condition than we estimated. This includes the wall and roof framing as well as the foundation of the structures. For example, while the roof of the Ladies’ Bathhouse was from the 1950s, and our plans already included reconstructing the roof to its 1890s form, the existing framing crumbled to dust as the building shoring was put in place,” said Pillsbury. “Even with the additional work, Omni is committed to the original plan of rebuilding the structures in place and maintaining the history and traditions of the Baths.”

If you would like to support the restoration plan, please contact Preservation Bath directly. http://preservationbath.org/history/

Omni is restoring the historic name Warm Springs Pools to what was known in the late twentieth century as the Jefferson Pools. It is an honor to be a part of the design team for this “board by board” project as we carefully repair and improve the buildings while preserving the character and traditions of the Pools. Construction and renovation project being done by 3North. Photo Courtesy 3North