Volunteer Story: Visitor Services at the Fordyce

First impressions are important, and our Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center volunteers make sure visitors have a great one! They’re the first smiling face guests see when they enter the building, they’re always ready to share the history of our city's bathing industry, and they are happy to answer any questions about the Hot Springs National Park (HOSP). With hundreds or even thousands of visitors coming in each day, our volunteers are vital to keeping the bathhouse museum and visitor center running smoothly so everyone can enjoy this piece of living history.

Meet your current visitor service volunteers!

NPS Photo/K. Foster

James Byrd

Hometown: Hot Springs, AR

Start of HOSP volunteer service: Summer 2016 and April 2022

Reason for volunteering: James initially started volunteering when he was doing research on the historic bathhouses. He returned to volunteering in 2022 to give back to his community.

Favorite part of volunteering: Talking to and meeting visitors!

A Fordyce must-see: “The gymnasium because of all its history.”

NPS Photo/T. Monroe

Lily Cox

Hometown: Gurdon, AR

Start of HOSP volunteer service: January 2023

Reason for volunteering: Lily is completing academic service requirements while pursuing a degree at Henderson State University in Museum Studies.

Favorite part of volunteering: Meeting all the interesting visitors at the park!

A Fordyce must-see: All the beautiful stained glass around the building.

NPS Photo/T. Monroe

Greg Fisher

Hometown: Hot Springs, AR

Start of HOSP volunteer service: March 2023

Reason for volunteering: Greg grew up right next to Hot Springs Mountain, spending his youth exploring and playing on the park's trails. He has since developed a passion for the history of this local area.

A Fordyce must-see: The Music Room on the 3rd floor.

NPS Photo/T. Monroe

Khristin Guardado

Hometown: Hot Springs, AR

Start of HOSP volunteer service: September 2022

Reason for volunteering: Khristin replied to an Instagram post recruiting NPS volunteers. She feels that it's a great way to complete service hours for school, as well as learn more about her community!

A Fordyce must-see: The sunbathing courtyard on the 2nd floor.

NPS Photo/K. Barat

Jodi Reed

Hometown: Oceanside, CA

Start of HOSP volunteer service: March 2022

Reason for volunteering: Jodi volunteers for a chance to give back to the NPS, as she has loved visiting our nation’s parks, monuments, and recreation areas all her life.

Favorite part of volunteering: Meeting people from all over the world and welcoming them to the Fordyce Bathhouse.

A Fordyce must-see: “Definitely the gym!”

NPS Photo/L. Greer

Kevin Roth

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Start of HOSP volunteer service: November 2021

Reason for volunteering: Kevin has time available and likes meeting strangers! Volunteering at the Fordyce Visitor Center gives him the perfect opportunity to mingle and serve his community at the same time.

Favorite part of volunteering: Meeting new people every day.

A Fordyce must-see: “The beautiful stained glass ceilings.”

NPS Photo

Jack Thorp

Hometown: Camden, AR

Start of HOSP volunteer service: 2011

Reason for volunteering: Jack wanted something to do that wasn’t full time, since he is retired.

Favorite part of volunteering: Talking to people about Hot Springs and the park. “People are amazed something like this exists.”

A Fordyce must-see: “The old workout equipment, the gymnasium, and the music room. It's a different way of living.”

Our Fordyce volunteers work hard to help visitors feel welcome, answer any questions, and make history come to life. We appreciate their commitment to Hot Springs National Park and their dedication to the vision of the National Park Service!