Bath County Historical Society Museum, Warm Springs
Bath County Travel Guide: Bath County Overview | Garth Newel | Lake Moomaw & George Washington National Forest | Hidden Valley | The Homestead | Jefferson Pools | Warm Springs Gallery | Warm Springs Mountain Preserve | Bath County History | Douthat State Park
The Bath County Historical Society Museum and Research Library is located in Warm Springs, Virginia next to the Bath County Courthouse. It's within walking distance of the Inn at Gristmill Square. The Museum building was originally a law office which was moved from the original courthouse located at the current Warm Springs Inn. The items in the Museum have all been donated by friends of the Society who want to see Bath County history preserved for future generations. These artifacts are of interest to all those who visit, not only the local people, but visitors from all over the world. From antique side saddles, to period clothing, original historic photos, farm implements and tools, Civil War and Indian Artifacts, even a grand piano, there is something here to interest everyone. The Research Center and Library addition was completed in 1995 and contains a wealth of information for the researcher and genealogist. Included in the collection are materials and microfilm on Bath and Virginia history as well as information from West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. These along with family histories, both published and unpublished, have aided many visitors in their search for roots. Researchers contribute $5.00 per day for use of the center, unless they are residents of Bath County or Members of the Society, in which case there is no use contribution required. The Society Gift Corner includes books pertaining to Bath County and area history as well as other seasonal items for purchase. The Society's Spring/Summer/Fall hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00. Winter hours are Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00. Admission is free. Read more on their website. Bath County History Bath County was settled in 1745 by pioneers of mostly Scotch-Irish descent; many were educated, Presbyterian men from Ulster, Ireland. The "father" of Bath County was John Lewis, who first settled with his wife, Margaret Lynn, northwest of Staunton, Virginia, in 1732 at Fort Lewis. By 1740 he had purchased land on the Cowpasture River which he gave by deed to his only American born child, Charles, who settled at Fort Lewis in 1761 with his new bride, Sarah Murray. Charles later died at the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774. Another son of John Lewis, Andrew, along with Thomas Bullitt, obtained a patent for the Hot Springs tract of 300 acres. They built the first hotel on the site of the present Homestead Resort in 1766. Visitors began coming to the springs of Bath County by 1750 and by the early 1800's records indicate 6,000 visitors were coming to the springs annually. An act of the Virginia assembly, passed December 14, 1790, created Bath County from the counties of Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier. The first court in Bath County convened on May 10, 1791, at the home of Margaret Lewis in Warm Springs, which became the county seat. Named for the English resort city of Bath, the county quickly became a national resort attraction. The soothing mineral waters that flow from our springs have attracted visitors for over 200 years. The county is rich in history and there are many period homes and buildings still standing from its early years. A few of the historic properties of Bath are the Sitlington Plantation located on Route 42 South; Fort Lewis Farm; Cameron Law Office at Fassifern Farm on the Jackson River; the Anderson Cottage in Warm Springs; Warwickton at Hidden Valley (film location for the movie "Sommersby"); Gatewood House (Cash House) in Mountain Grove; Folly Farm on Route 603; the Mustoe House located on Route 220 South; Jefferson Pools (formerly Warm Springs pools); Warm Springs Inn (former Bath County Courthouse and Jail); the Windy Cove Presbyterian Church, Millboro Springs; and numerous structures at The Homestead Resort. Many of these historic locations are open to visitors while some are now private residences.