Profiles from the Past

Eight people stand in front of a building, 5 men and 3 women. Two men are dressed in suits and the other six are in all white uniforms
Employees of the Government Free Bathhouse in Hot Springs National Park. May 9, 1938.

Hot Springs National Park Archives

Recovering Important Stories

Bathhouse employees have been fixtures in Hot Springs National Park for well over a century. Most of these attendants never had their stories recorded, meaning their contribution to the national park was lost to history.

But snippets of these important lives appear in different records from the past. By finding stories about bathhouse attendants in government documents, official letters, newspaper articles, or promotional material, Hot Springs National Park staff has worked to give voice to the voiceless and explain the significant impact these men and women had on the national park and their community. These selected profiles highlight how bathhouse employees came from different walks of life and led exciting and meaningful lives.
 

Trailblazers

  • Illustration of African American man with mustache in white uniform holding a kettle
    Napoleon Rowell

    Napoleon Rowell fought for African American thermal water access at Hot Springs in the 19th century.

  • An African American woman with gray hair wears a dark shirt with two white stripes
    Mattie Fielding

    Mattie Fielding was born enslaved. She made a life for herself and her family in Hot Springs after finding freedom.

  • Man with mustache is outside wearing a suit and tie
    Jesse R. Smith

    Jesse R. Smith found his freedom in Hot Springs and worked to improve himself, his family, and his community.

 

Decades of Service

  • Woman smiling outdoors
    Maggie Northcott

    Maggie Northcutt was one of many bathhouse attendants that dedicated decades of their lives to healing visitors.

  • A black silhouette of a woman.
    Mary Webster

    Mary Webster worked in Hot Springs' bathhouses so long newspaper reporters curiously sought information about her life.

  • A woman smirks while wearing bright white earrings and a white shirt
    Roberta Gibson

    Understand the end of a Hot Springs National Park institution through the life of Roberta Gibson.

 

Community Leaders

  • Balding man sits at table holding a pen wearing a white shirt, dark suit, and a dark tie
    Fred W. Martin

    Working in the bathhouses took Fred W. Martin from laborer to elected official in Hot Springs.

  • A man smiles while wearing sunglasses, a hat, a dark suit, dark tie, and white shirt.
    Alroy Puckett

    Alroy Puckett climbed the ranks of the bathing industry to manage the last bathhouse owned, operated, and patronized by African Americans.

  • woman stands outside in a white uniform smiling
    Myrtle Cheatham

    Myrtle Cheatham sacrificed her time and energy in the bathhouses so her children could have a brighter future.

 

Life Outside the Bathhouse

  • Man with gray hair in suit and tie smiles indoors
    Lewis "Snook" Wesson

    "Snook" Wesson made a career not only in Hot Springs as a bath attendant but also as a professional baseball player.

  • African American man wears a white shirt, dark tie, black jacket, and glasses.
    John T. T. Warren

    John T. T. Warren understood how to help those in need and did everything he could to improve his community.

  • 5 people stand inside. One an African American man, two white men, two are African American women
    Thelma Guinn

    Helping those in the bathhouse and in the community was a goal for Ms. Thelma Guinn

 
Man sits in tub with back facing camera as another man wearing white shorts rubs his back
We Bathe the World Oral History Project

Explore the new and exciting oral history project at Hot Springs National Park

A woman wearing a floral dress with black hair stands to the left of a man wearing a suit and tie
Oral Histories

Listen and read past oral histories collected at Hot Springs National Park

Two men walk along a sidewalk
Articles

Understand the complex world bathhouse attendants faced as they worked to "bathe the world."

Last updated: November 2, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

101 Reserve Street
Hot Springs, AR 71901

Phone:

501 620-6715

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