Berkeley Springs State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berkeley Springs State Park |
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Park buildings
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 Berkeley Springs State Park
Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Morgan, West Virginia, United States |
| Area | 7 acres (2.8 ha) |
| Elevation | 617 ft (188 m) |
| Established | July 1, 1970 |
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Berkeley Springs State Park
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| Location | S. Washington and Fairfax Sts., Berkeley Springs, West Virginia |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1785 |
| Built by | James Rumsey |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001943 |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 1976 |
Berkeley Springs State Park is a cool place in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, United States. It's famous for its natural mineral spa waters. People have believed these waters have special powers for a long time. They used to drink them for tummy troubles or bathe in them to relax. Even Native Americans and George Washington visited these springs! Today, Berkeley Springs is the only state-run spa in the United States. It's managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
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A Dip into History
This park sits on land that has been a health resort since the 1750s. It once belonged to Lord Fairfax. A young George Washington, only 16 years old, first visited the spa on March 18, 1748. Every year, an event celebrates his historic visit. The famous "bathtub" where Washington supposedly bathed was rebuilt in the 1930s. Old maps from as early as 1740 already talked about the healing powers of these spring waters.
The land officially became part of Virginia in 1776. The town of Bath was also created that same year. Before that, it was known as Warm Springs.
The Famous Roman Bathhouse
The historic Roman Bathhouse is the oldest public building in Berkeley Springs. It was built in 1815 in a style called Federal-style architecture. It stands where an even older bathhouse, built in 1784 by James Rumsey, once was. That first bathhouse had five bathing rooms and changing areas.
The Old Roman Bathhouse building underwent a big renovation. It started on January 1, 2019, and lasted for six months. The updates included making it easier for people with disabilities to access, adding new bath tiles and benches, and installing a new boiler system. This project cost $1 million.
Amazing Mineral Waters
Water flows from natural mineral springs at a steady temperature of 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes from the Oriskany (Ridgeley) sandstone of Warm Springs Ridge. Five main springs meet at the spa's location. The water contains important minerals like sulfates, nitrates, and carbonates, especially magnesium carbonates. The amount of water flowing out changes, from about 750 to 2,000 gallons per minute.
You can bathe in this special water at two bathhouses in the park. You can also drink it from a fountain at the old Gentlemen's Spring House. In fact, the springs provide all the water for the town! The main bathhouse has nine separate bathing rooms. Each tub can hold 750 gallons of water, heated to 102 degrees. These baths are open to everyone all year. The water is even bottled and sold in stores.
The town also hosts the yearly Berkeley Springs’ International Water Tasting Competition.
Exploring the Museum
The Museum of the Berkeley Springs is located on the second floor of the bathhouse. It opened in 1984. The museum shows off many historical items about the springs and the town. It's free to enter and is open on weekends from March to December.
Wildlife Around the Springs
The warm waters leaking directly from the spring are home to a unique group of guppies. These fish were brought here around the early 1940s. They originally came from South America. They can live here all year because the spring water is always warm.
Other types of fish also swim up from Warm Spring Run into the hot spring. These include eastern blacknose dace, creek chub, central stoneroller, and bluntnose and cutlips minnows. You might also spot crayfish in the spring. Sometimes, water snakes are seen too.
Gallery
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"Bathtub" used by George Washington
See also
