We Bathe the World: Recording African American Histories

Former massage therapist Emma Steward recognized by NPS Archeologist Victoria Reichard for Steward's oral history contribution in July, 2022.

NPS Photo

Bringing Bathhouse Row to Life

In 2023, the National Park Foundation awarded two million dollars in grants to 31 national park units to create Inclusive Storytelling Initiatives. There are histories that, for a variety of reasons, have not been fully documented and shared with the public. National parks are excellent sites to recover these stories and share them with millions of yearly visitors. Hot Springs is part of this inaugural class of award recipients!

Throughout the year, via social media posts, online articles, in-person programs, and exhibits, Hot Springs National Park will share stories of African American bathhouse attendants, massage therapists, and other employees in the bathing industry. We at the park are excited to reveal the amazing stories of individuals who brought Hot Springs’ waters to those visiting from across the country and around the world.

The Power of Oral History

The best way to collect these important stories is through oral history, a discipline that, according to the Oral History Association, places individual experiences within historical context. Oral histories take the form of an interview, which represents a collaborative effort between the interviewer and the interviewee (or narrator). The National Park Service has been a leader in collecting, preserving, and sharing oral histories at park sites for decades. Listening and reading NPS oral history interviews create opportunities for the public to understand how history is created, understood, and debated.

How Can I Contribute?

Did you ever work in the bathing industry in Hot Springs, Arkansas? Did you have family members that worked as bath attendants, massage therapists, packers, helpers, or porters? We would like to record and recover these important moments through oral history interviews. Your experience can uncover an essential part of Hot Springs National Park's storied past. If you are willing and able to share, please contact the national park at [phone] or by email.