Inside the Restoration: Warm Springs Pools at Preservation Bath’s Annual Lecture

In Bath County, the Warm Springs Pools are more than historic bathhouses; they’re part of a living timeline. From the Gentlemen’s Bath House of 1761, to Thomas Jefferson’s visit in 1818, to the families who still step into the waters today, the Pools connect us across generations.

That history takes center stage at Preservation Bath’s upcoming annual lecture: Warm Springs Pools—Preservation as Part of a Living Timeline. Architect Ed Pillsbury of 3North in Richmond, the firm that guided the Pools’ restoration, will share the inside story of planning, process, and preservation. The lecture takes place Sunday, October 12th at 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs. Admission is free, everyone is welcome, and a reception will follow. Preservation Bath will also present its annual awards recognizing outstanding preservation work in Bath County.

This story is a collaboration between Hayden Paxton and myself. Hayden created and produced the introduction, voicing a retelling of the Pools’ history and layering in the audio tracks. After Hayden’s introduction, I interviewed Preservation Bath board member Peter Fowler. Our conversation was enlightening—Peter offered deep knowledge and perspective on why this lecture matters and how preservation shapes the future of our community.

We thank Bath County High School for their support and partnership in this program—and I want to give a special shout-out to Hayden for his hard work and willingness to take on something new.

Click the link to hear the full story and my conversation with Peter Fowler. Photos of the renovations were taken by Danny Cardwell.