Jefferson Pools facts for kids
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Warm Springs Bathhouses
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Gentlemen's Pool House
The spa waters flow through the center of the building |
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | NE of Warm Springs off Rt. 220, Warm Springs, Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1761 |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000222 (original) 100004302 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 08, 1969 |
| Boundary increase | August 20, 2019 |
The Jefferson Pools, also called the Warm Springs Bathhouses, are two unique buildings near Warm Springs, Virginia. These buildings are part of The Homestead, a big hotel in nearby Hot Springs. People visit these pools to relax and enjoy the natural spring water.
For many years, these pools were known as the "Warm Spring Pools." Later, in the 20th century, their name was changed to "Jefferson Pools."
Contents
History of the Bathhouses
The Jefferson Pools have a long and interesting history. They are famous for their natural warm spring water.
The Gentlemen's Pool House
The Gentlemen's Pool House is the oldest building of its kind in the United States. It was built way back in 1761. This building has eight sides, which makes it an octagonal shape. It is made of wood and has a central pool. The roof is open to the sky, letting in fresh air and sunlight.
The water in this pool comes from a natural mineral spring. This spring keeps the water at a warm 98 degrees Fahrenheit (about 37 degrees Celsius). The men's spa holds about 40,000 US gallons (151,000 litres) of water. This water is always flowing, so it stays fresh and clean.
The Ladies' Pool House
The Ladies' Pool House was built later, in 1836. Like the Gentlemen's Pool House, it is also made of wood. It has a central pool and an open roof. Both buildings have stayed mostly the same over many years.
A very famous person, Thomas Jefferson, visited these pools. He was one of the early presidents of the United States. In 1819, he spent three weeks at the pools. He bathed three times a day! He even wrote a letter to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, saying the waters were "of first merit," meaning they were excellent.
Historic Recognition
The Warm Springs Bathhouses are important historical sites. They have been officially recognized for their history.
The site was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register on November 11, 1968. A year later, on October 8, 1969, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. These lists help protect important places in the United States.
Recent Closure and Future Plans
In October 2017, the Jefferson Pools had to close. The local government in Bath County ordered the closure. This was because the buildings had become old and worn out. They were not safe for people to use anymore.
The owner of the pools, The Omni Homestead Resort, has plans to fix them. Their goal is to reopen the pools so people can enjoy them again. They hope to have them ready in late 2020.
