Warm Springs Pools

The Warm Springs Pools are two spa structures near Warm Springs, Virginia. The name was changed in the 20th century from "Warm Spring Pools" to "Jefferson Pools" before being returned to its original name in 2021.[1] The spa is part of The Homestead, a resort hotel in nearby Hot Springs.

Warm Springs Bathhouses
Gentlemen's Pool House
The spa waters flow through the center of the building
Warm Springs Pools is located in Virginia
Warm Springs Pools
Warm Springs Pools is located in the United States
Warm Springs Pools
LocationNE of Warm Springs off Rt. 220, Warm Springs, Virginia
Coordinates38°3′13″N 79°46′51″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1761 (1761)
NRHP reference No.69000222 (original)
100004302 (increase)
VLR No.008-0007
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 08, 1969
Boundary increaseAugust 20, 2019
Designated VLRNovember 5, 1968

The Gentlemen's Pool House is the oldest spa structure in the United States. The octagonal wood building was built in 1761.[2] The spas are naturally fed by a 98 °F (37 °C) mineral spring. The men's spa holds 40,000 US gallons (150,000 L) of constantly flowing water.[3]

The Ladies' Pool House was built in 1836. The buildings have changed little over the years, being made of wood with a central pool and a roof that is open to the elements. There are small alcoves around the pool for clothes, and it is usual to bathe naked. Famous bathers include Thomas Jefferson,[2] who spent three weeks in 1819 bathing three times day and described the waters in a letter to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, as being of "first merit".[4]

The site was listed as Warm Springs Bathhouses on the Virginia Landmarks Register on November 11, 1968, and the National Register of Historic Places[5] on October 8, 1969.

Ladies's Pool House on left, built 1836, with open foot spa in front and Spa Reception to right

The then-Jefferson Pools were ordered closed by Bath County in October 2017 due to the deteriorated condition of the bathhouses becoming a safety hazard.[6] The owner, The Omni Homestead Resort, reported that the pools would remain closed and stated that they were actively working to restore them.[7] Work was originally slated to begin 2020 before being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the summer of 2021, Omni announced work was proceeding on the $3 million restoration project.[1] The pools reopened in December 2022 following their rehabilitation.[8]

References
  1. "Warm Springs Pools". Omni Resorts. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  2. "Springs Time: In these Virginia pools, history took a dip. You can, too". The Washington Post. March 4, 2016. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  3. "Virginia Resorts, Mountain Vacations & Historic Hotels In Hot Springs VA - The Homestead". The Homestead. Archived from the original on August 28, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  4. "Virginia Resorts, Mountain Vacations & Historic Hotels In Hot Springs VA - The Homestead". The Homestead. January 6, 2010. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  5. "Warm Springs Bathhouses". National Register of Historic Places. Archived from the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. Preservation Bath (September 12, 2017). "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  7. "Hot Springs in Virginia | The Omni Homestead Resort". Omni Resorts. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  8. Graham, Alli (December 8, 2022). "Warm Springs Pools at the Omni Homestead Resort set to reopen on Dec. 17". WSLS.

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