Closed For Years, The Warm Springs Pools In Virginia Have Now Been Restored To Their Former Glory
By Beth|Published March 30, 2023
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Beth
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A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
For at least 9,000 years, inhabitants of what’s now known as Bath County have made use of the healing hot springs native to the area. Hundreds of years ago, in 1761, an octagonal basin was built around the springs so that they could be enjoyed for soaking. This was considered to be America’s first spa structure. In the mid-1820s, a new octagonal frame building was built up around the pools and would be known as the Warm Springs Bath or Great Bath, in operation for nearly 150 years. Recently, these pools were closed for renovation, but now, the Warm Springs Pools in Virginia have officially re-opened!
If you're looking for a truly unique -- and historic -- spa experience, you can once again "take the waters," as visitors and Bath County locals have been doing for centuries.
The renovation process, which took fourteen months and cost approximately $4 million, aimed to preserve the history of these iconic structures while ensuring that the baths could be used for as long as possible in the future.
There are two separate bathhouses: one for gentlemen and one for ladies. There's also a family soaking time typically offered between 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
You'll notice that the pools have a wonderfully rustic feel, as you can see by the rocks at the bottom of the baths. Soaking in the mineral water is said to have healing properties and can be wonderfully restorative.
Have you ever visited the Warm Springs Pools in Virginia, formerly known as the Jefferson Pools? Feel free to share your experiences there with us — we would love to hear from you! For more information, including rates and how to make a reservation, check out the Omni Homestead Resort online.
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