What We’re Doing
Preservation Bath supports a wide range of initiatives that protect and celebrate Bath County’s historic resources. We have sponsored and funded major preservation efforts including the Bacova and Hot Springs Historic District surveys and the National Register nomination for Ingalls Field — one of the few remaining examples of an early twentieth-century rural commercial airport in the United States. By investing in research, documentation, and recognition, we help ensure that the County’s architectural and cultural landmarks are understood, valued, and protected.
Our work extends beyond documentation. We have advocated and organized to help build the momentum that led to the Omni Homestead’s investment in the restoration of the Warm Springs Pools. We have also funded the design and fabrication of historic wayside markers throughout the County, helping residents and visitors alike better understand Bath’s rich heritage. Through partnership, advocacy, and direct support, Preservation Bath works to strengthen preservation efforts across the region and keep our historic places central to community life.
JOHN WESLEY ME CHURCH — Preservation Bath is supporting the creation of the Museum of West Warm Springs and Meeting House as they partner with VPAS to restore John Wesley ME Church, the last log structure in the historic village of West Warm Springs.
HOT SPRINGS HISTORIC DISTRICT — Preservation Bath is assisting in the funding and advocating for a Cost Share Grant, through the Department of Historic Resources, for the surveys necessary to create a new state and federal historic district in Downtown Hot Springs.
GIBSON COTTAGE — Preservation Bath succeeded in lobbying Preservation Virginia to nominate Gibson Cottage to the state's most endangered historic resource list. Unfortunately, the building burned and was subsequently razed.
WARM SPRINGS POOLS — Preservation Bath worked for years to encourage the owners and organize the resources necessary to convince the Omni Homestead to undertake a full restoration of the historic pools.
INGALLS FIELD AIRPORT TERMINAL — Preservation Bath recently partnered with the Bath County Airport Authority to fund the completion of a National Register Nomination for the 1925 terminal building and supporting airstrip (completed by Dan Pezzoni of Landmark Preservation Associates). The Airport Authority hopes to begin restoration of the terminal soon as they partner with the Nature Conservancy to restore original trails around the airfield.
THE VILLAGE OF BACOVA HISTORIC DISTRICT — Preservation Bath coordinated and helped fund the Cost Share survey of the Bacova village in preparation for the creation of a new Bacova Historic District—approved by the Department of Historic Resources in 2025.
WARM SPRINGS AND WEST WARM SPRINGS HISTORIC DISTRICT — Preservation Bath coordinated and helped fund the Cost Share survey of Warm Springs and West Warm Springs leading to the establishment of a State and Federal Historic District allowing owners of historic properties to have State and/or Federal Historic Tax Credits available for qualified rehabilitation projects.
HISTORIC MARKERS — Preservation Bath partnered with the folks in Alleghany County, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and VDOT, to update and create new historic marker signs for Bath and Alleghany Counties and worked to support their reinstallation at the Falling Springs wayside on route 220, which is actually part of Douthat State Park, four miles south of the County Line. Thanks to Teresa Hammond of the Alleghany Chamber, Peter Fowler of the Preservation Bath Board, Douthat State Park Manager Adam Bresnehan, and Aaron Lynch of VDOT for teaming up to make this happen.