Jefferson Pools

	Warm Springs Bathhouses
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	Virginia Landmarks Register
	Gentlemen's Pool House; The spa waters flow through the center of the building
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Location	NE of Warm Springs off Rt. 220, Warm Springs, Virginia
Coordinates	38°3′13″N 79°46′51″W / 38.05361°N 79.78083°WCoordinates: 38°3′13″N 79°46′51″W / 38.05361°N 79.78083°W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1761
NRHP reference No.	69000222 (original); 100004302 (increase)
VLR No.	008-0007
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 08, 1969
Boundary increase	August 20, 2019
Designated VLR	November 5, 1968

The Jefferson Pools, also called Warm Springs Bathhouses and 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".^{[citation needed]} The spa is part of The Homestead, a resort hotel in nearby Hot Springs.

The Gentlemen's Pool House is the oldest spa structure in the United States. The octagonal wood building was built in 1761.^[1] 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.^[2]

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,^[1] 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".^[3]

The site was listed as Warm Springs Bathhouses on the Virginia Landmarks Register^{[citation needed]} on November 11, 1968 and the National Register of Historic Places^[4] on October 8, 1969.

The Jefferson Pools were ordered closed by Bath County in October 2017 due to the deteriorated condition of the bathhouses becoming a safety hazard.^[5] The owner, The Omni Homestead Resort, reported that the pools would remain closed and stated that they were actively working to restore them. Since 2017, the announcement has changed little.^[6]

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Springs Time: In these Virginia pools, history took a dip. You can, too". The Washington Post. 2016-03-04. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
^ "Virginia Resorts, Mountain Vacations & Historic Hotels In Hot Springs VA - The Homestead". The Homestead. Archived from the original on 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
^ "Virginia Resorts, Mountain Vacations & Historic Hotels In Hot Springs VA - The Homestead". The Homestead. 2010-01-06. Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
^ "Warm Springs Bathhouses". National Register of Historic Places. Archived from the original on 2021-08-08. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
^ Preservation Bath (2017-09-12). "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
^ "Hot Springs in Virginia | The Omni Homestead Resort". Omni Resorts. Archived from the original on 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2021-08-08.

External links[]

Media related to Jefferson Pools at Wikimedia Commons

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

Jefferson Pools Hot Springs Spa - Homestead Resort
"Taking the Waters: 19th Century Mineral Springs: Warm Springs." Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia

[:0-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Springs Time: In these Virginia pools, history took a dip. You can, too". The Washington Post. 2016-03-04. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-03-04.

[2] "Virginia Resorts, Mountain Vacations & Historic Hotels In Hot Springs VA - The Homestead". The Homestead. Archived from the original on 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2021-08-08.

[3] "Virginia Resorts, Mountain Vacations & Historic Hotels In Hot Springs VA - The Homestead". The Homestead. 2010-01-06. Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-01-06.

[4] "Warm Springs Bathhouses". National Register of Historic Places. Archived from the original on 2021-08-08. Retrieved 2021-08-08.

[5] Preservation Bath (2017-09-12). "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-08-08.

[6] "Hot Springs in Virginia | The Omni Homestead Resort". Omni Resorts. Archived from the original on 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2021-08-08.

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