Hot Springs National Park 

Long-Range Interpretive Plan 

National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Hot Springs National Park 

Long-Range Interpretive Plan 

Prepared by: 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

National Park Service 

Hot Springs National Park 

Midwest Region 

Harpers Ferry Center Interpretive Planning 

December 2008 
 

“... Many parks have miles 

of trails to be enjoyed by those 

who seek inspiration in the 

great outdoors, but this opportunity, through physical 

affliction, is denied to many. It 

would seem that our greatest 

responsibility at Hot Springs 

National Park is the privilege 

of helping the unfortunate so 

that they too may get their full 

measure of life.” 

—superintendent thomas boles 

1946 superintendent’s 

annual report 

Front cover: The Museum of Contemporary Art 

(MOCA) opened in the Ozark Bathhouse in 2009, 

as part of the historic leasing program (top). 

Samuel W. Fordyce parks his car in front of his 

new bathhouse sometime between 1915 and 

1919 (center, left). Visitors and local residents 

fill containers with the park’s spring water for 

later use (center). Attendants stand ready in the 

men’s bath hall of the Imperial Bathhouse, which 

survived until 1937 (center, right). Stained glass 

from Cincinnati graced the women’s bath hall and 

other rooms in the Maurice Bathhouse (bottom). 

Inside front cover: The hot springs are the primary 

natural resource of the park, but they have 

not been preserved in their unaltered state as 

natural surface phenomena. They have instead 

been managed to conserve the production of 

uncontaminated hot water for public use. 

Right: A park ranger conducts a living history 

program to demonstrate how bath patrons would 

have used health and fitness equipment in the 

Fordyce Bathhouse gymnasium. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents 

Message from the Superintendent 1
 

Comprehensive Interpretive Planning 3
 

Part 1. Foundations 5 


Park Legislation and Purpose 6
 

Park Significance 7
 

Park Mission and Priorities 8
 

Park Mission Goals and Accessibility 9
 

Park Interpretive Themes 10
 

Desired Visitor Experience 12
 

Park Audiences 13
 

Issues and Challenges Affecting Interpretation 14
 

Existing Conditions 15
 

Facilities 15
 

Non-Personal Services (Interpretive Media) 17
 

Personal Services 19
 

Curriculum-Based Education Programs 21
 

Partnerships 22
 

Cooperating Association 22
 

Volunteers 22
 

Part 2. Future Interpretive Program 25 


The Planning Process 26
 

Goals for Interpretive Programming 27
 

Action Plan Over the Next Five to Seven Years 32
 

Research and Evaluation Needs 35
 

Staffing and Training Needs 36
 

Implementation Plan 37
 

Planning Team 40
 

Appendix A: Park Theme Matrix 43
 

Appendix B: Visitor Center Concept 44
 
 

 

Visitors to Hot Springs National Park can walk on 

trails through the 

natural recharge areas, 

stand beside a steaming hot water cascade 

at Arlington Lawn, 

or view a thermal water fountain at the entrance 

to the park administration building. 
Message from the Superintendent 

Hot Springs National Park has witnessed unprecedented progress in its efforts to renovate, 

improve, and reopen the historic buildings in the Bathhouse Row National Historical 

Landmark District. In the summer of 2008, the Quapaw Bathhouse reopened its doors as 

Quapaw Baths and Spa and a 55-year lease was signed with a nonprofit organization to 

reopen the Ozark Bathhouse as a Museum of Contemporary Art. 

These developments bring a renewed vitality to Hot Springs National Park and an 

opportunity to reexamine how we interpret our history and what are the best ways to 

develop the programs and activities that visitors expect when they visit us on the web or 

arrive at this destination. 

The Long-Range Interpretive Plan is the planning document that sharpens our focus and 

pulls together our education and interpretation efforts. The plan will incorporate the 

natural and cultural history components into new interpretive themes and provide us with 

special opportunities to tell the story of the first area set aside by the U.S. government to 

protect an American natural resource for public use: the hot springs. 

The Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National Park Inc., along with many other 

community organizations and individuals, have assisted and supported us in this effort. I 

hope you will take time to review this plan and join us as we continue to move forward in 

our efforts to preserve and protect the values and resources of Hot Springs National Park. 

Josie Fernandez 

Superintendent 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 1 
Visitors have been coming to 

Hot Springs for more than a 

century as seen in this photo of 

the historic Egg Spring. 

The comprehensive interpretive 

planning process helps the park 

and its partners better serve 

its future visitor needs. 

2 I National Park Service 
 

 

 

Comprehensive Interpretive Planning 

The National Park Service (NPS) has a unified planning approach for interpretation and education. This approach combines planning for interpretive media, 

personal services, and education programs. The Comprehensive Interpretive 

Planning (CIP) process is the basic planning document for interpretation and was 

incorporated into NPS guidelines in 1995. Responsibility for accomplishing the CIP 

process lies with each park’s superintendent. 

WHAT IS A COMPREHENSIVE INTERPRETIVE PLAN? 

The CIP process helps parks make choices, and this planning document is written to 

provide guidance to park staff. It helps them decide what their objectives are, who their 

audiences are, and what mix of media and personal services to use. Although the CIP 

as defined in Director’s Order 6 is composed of specific elements, good planning is 

customized to meet an individual park’s need and situations. The CIP is not a recipe; 

rather it is a guide to effective, goal-driven planning. While it considers past interpretive 

programming, it is primarily a forward-looking document that concentrates on actions 

needed to create or sustain a vigorous and effective interpretive program for the future. All 

CIPs have these three components: the Long-Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP), a series of 

Annual Implementation Plans (AIP) and an Interpretive Database (ID). 

WHAT IS A LONG-RANGE INTERPRETIVE PLAN? 

The heart of the CIP is the Long-Range Interpretive Plan. The LRIP defines the overall 

vision and long-term (five to seven years) interpretive goals of the park. The process that 

develops the LRIP defines realistic strategies and actions that work toward achievement of 

the interpretive goals. 

THE ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND INTERPRETIVE DATABASE 

The completed LRIP is a critical part of the CIP, but it does not stand alone. Actions in the 

LRIP are divided into annual, achievable steps and reproduced in the Annual Implementation Plan, the second component of the CIP. Creating a series of these AIPs that implement 

the recommendations in the LRIP simplifies the park’s annual planning. The third component of the CIP is the Interpretive Database (ID), an ongoing compilation of information, 

reports, bibliographies, plans, and inventories that document the LRIP’s ongoing progress. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 3 
Photo by Helene Fischman, Artist in Residence. 

4 I National Park Service 
 

 

Part 1: Foundations 

“It is difficult to put down in cold type a description of a district so bathed in loveliness, and 

so rich in natural endowment, as Hot Springs, Arkansas really is.” 

—elbert hubbard, founder of the roycrofters

 “a little journey to the maurice baths,” 1913 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 5 
Park Legislation and Purpose
 

Each unit of the National Park System is created by Congress and the President 

of the United States. The following pieces of legislation created Hot Springs 

National Park. 

PARk LEGISLATION 

Hot Springs National Park was authorized by an Act of Congress on April 20, 1832 (chapter 

70, 4 Stat. 505), as Hot Springs Reservation and is the oldest protected area within the 

National Park System. This act reserved four square miles of land (2,529 acres) and all of the 

thermal springs contained therein. 

The bill President Andrew Jackson signed into law stipulated “... the Hot Springs in said 

Territory [of Arkansas] together with four sections of land including said springs, as near 

the centre thereof as may be, shall be reserved for the future disposal of the United States, 

and shall not be entered, located or appropriated for any other purpose whatever.” In 1876 

Hot Springs Reservation was reduced to 265 acres. The reservation was dedicated to park 

use by an act of June 16, 1880 (21 Stat. 288). 

Congress renamed the reservation Hot Springs National Park on March 4, 1921 (41 Stat. 

1407), and the park has since increased in size to 5,500 acres including Bathhouse Row 

(designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1987), approximately 26 miles of 

trails, an observation tower, a campground, scenic mountain drives, natural thermal spring 

displays, and several thermal spring and non-thermal spring jug fountains. 

A park purpose statement summarizes the reasons a park is included in the 

National Park System. It is derived from the legislation that created both the 

National Park Service and a specific park. 

PARk PURPOSE 

The purposes of Hot Springs National Park are to: 

n	 Preserve the hot springs and manage the collection and distribution of hot spring water, 

uncontaminated, for public use and to evaluate ways to secure current and identify new 

recharge areas (where rainfall enters the watershed) to ensure the future health of the 

springs. 

n	 Protect, preserve, and interpret the park’s natural areas, the cultural landscape of Bathhouse Row, and other historic and prehistoric features of Hot Springs National Park. 

n	 Tell the story of the American Spa, including the use of medical and restorative therapies 

in restoring and preserving public health, regardless of income, race or nationality, and 

how the park has adapted to meet recreational needs. 

Preserving the park’s natural areas 

where the rainfall enters the watershed 

is vital to the health of the hot springs. 

6 	 I National Park Service 
-

Park Significance
 

Statements of significance describe a park’s distinctive natural, cultural, and 

recreational resources and values that are the factual rationale for national 

recognition of the site. 

Hot Springs National Park is nationally significant because: 

n	 Hot Springs Reservation was the first federally controlled hot springs in the United 

States. 

n	 The 1832 establishment of the Hot Springs Reservation was an early expression of the 

conservation movement which was the precursor to the National Park System mission to 

protect nationally significant resources “... for the public good.” 

n	 Hot Springs National Park was established to protect and preserve the hot springs flowing from Hot Springs Mountain for public use as a health resort. 

n	 Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade were designated as the Bathhouse Row National Historic Landmark District in 1987 because of their significance as the nation’s 

first and only federally owned thermal springs spa. They are the largest collection of architecturally distinctive bathhouses listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Bathhouse Row is the largest col 

lection of architecturally distinctive 

bathhouses listed in the National 

Register of Historic Places. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 7 
 

 

 

Park Mission and Priorities
 

A mission statement is a vision for the future and articulates, in broad terms, the 

ideas that the National Park Service strives to achieve. 

NATIONAL PARk SERVICE MISSION STATEMENT 

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired natural and cultural resources and values 

of the national park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future 

generations. The NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and 

cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the 

world. 

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARk MISSION STATEMENT 

The mission of Hot Springs National Park is to protect the natural thermal springs so that 

they can be used by the public in perpetuity for bathing and drinking, and to conserve all 

other natural and historic resources within the park, for the enjoyment, education and 

inspiration of this and future generations. 

PARk PRIORITIES/CORE MANAGEMENT OBjECTIVES 

From the Core Operations Evaluation (CORE OPS) Report (September 17, 2007): 

n	 Inventory, monitor, preserve, and maintain the geothermal springs including their 

recharge zone. 

n	 Protect and maintain the park’s thermal water collection and distribution system to 

provide the water for drinking and bathing. 

n Monitor and protect the park’s mountain lands and their related natural and cultural 

resources and prevent unacceptable impacts. 

n	 Monitor and conserve the park’s cultural resources associated with the bathing industry 

to prevent unacceptable impacts. 

n	 Provide basic visitor facilities, protect visitors, provide for their enjoyment of the park, 

and manage their activities to prevent degradation of the park’s natural and cultural 

resources. 

n	 Perform the critical legal, administrative, and employee support functions. 

People have used the hot springs 

for more than 200 years to treat 

illnesses and to relax. Both rich 

and poor came for the baths, 

and a town built up around 

the Hot Springs Reservation to 

accommodate them. 

8 	 I National Park Service 
Park Mission Goals 

Park mission goals articulate in broad terms the ideal conditions the park and its 

partners will strive to attain. The following mission goals were prepared in 2000 

as part of the planning process required by the Government Performance and 

Results Act (GPRA). In addition to goals related to resource and visitor protection, 

there are some goals specifically related to interpretation and visitor services. 

PARk MISSION GOALS 

Mission Goal IIa1: 

By September 30, 2012, 95 percent of visitors to Hot Springs National Park are satisfied with “Hale with Awning” illustration by 

joAnne Doshier. Named for early appropriate park facilities, services, and recreational opportunities. 

bathhouse owner john Hale, the 

present Hale Bathhouse is at least 

the fourth building to use this Mission Goal IIb1: 

name. Hale Bathhouse is the oldest By September 30, 2012, 79 percent of Hot Springs National Park visitors understand the visible structure on Bathhouse Row. 

significance of the park. 

Accessibility 

Every attempt will be made to provide full access to interpretive media and programs to 

ensure people with physical and mental disabilities have access to the same information 

necessary for safe and meaningful visits to national parks. This is in compliance with the 

National Park Service policy: 

“ ... To provide the highest level of accessibility possible and feasible for persons with 

visual, hearing, mobility, and mental impairments, consistent with the obligation to conserve 

park resources and preserve the qualities of the park experience for everyone.” 

—NPS Special Directive 83-3, Accessibility for Disabled Persons 

All interpretation will follow general standards for accessibility as described in the Harpers 

Ferry Center Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for Interpretive Media. 

Accessibility is a key component of 

the park visitor center operations. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 9 
 

 

 

Park Interpretive Themes
 

Primary interpretive themes are those ideas or concepts about Hot Springs 

National Park that are key to helping visitors gain an understanding of the park’s 

significance and resources. The themes, which are based on the park’s purpose 

and significance, provide the foundation for interpretive programs and media in 

the park. The themes do not include everything that may be interpreted, but they 

do address the ideas that are critical to a visitor’s understanding and appreciation 

of the park’s significance. Effective interpretation is achieved when visitors are 

able to associate resources and their values and consequently derive something 

meaningful from their experiences. 

The following interpretive themes were 

developed for Hot Springs National Park 

during a series of workshops held in 2005, 

2007, and 2008 involving a cross-section of 

park staff, constituents, and partners: 

THEME 1 – THE HOT SPRINGS 

These hot springs emerge naturally from 

rocky hillside in a 4400-year cycle, and their 

waters are protected in perpetuity for public 

use. 

This theme showcases water that fell as 

rain when Egyptian pyramids were being 

built, that was non-volcanically heated at 

depth, and that continues to flow out of Hot 

Springs Mountain. Complex faulting enables 

the process, fascinating both scientists 

wanting to understand and managers 

seeking to preserve the geological system. 

Unique organisms thrive in the water, which 

is nonetheless safe for drinking and bathing. 

The resource is collected and distributed for 

that purpose. 

THEME 2 – THE AMERICAN SPA 

The Hot Springs area came to be called 

the “American Spa” because it revolved 

around the federally operated Hot Springs 

Reservation/National Park. Government 

policy sought to ensure that thermal water 

was available to all, regardless of gender, 

race, ethnicity or financial standing. 

This theme examines the “nation’s 

sanatorium” in its heyday. Millions of 

afflicted persons arrived carrying doctors’ 

orders for strict bathing and exercise 

regimens and relaxation. Conditions 

improved in all facilities and services, as prestatehood frontier yielded to post-Gilded 

Age sophistication. Bathhouse architecture 

flourished, resulting in an eclectic National 

Historic Landmark District. The park had 

a role in public health, serving all classes 

democratically with a dedicated medical 

director. One group, however (African 

Americans), constituted most of the bathing 

industry’s labor force. In modern times the 

continuum of the “American Spa” manifests 

in opportunities for hiking, jogging, 

organized exercise, wellness presentations, 

spa experiences and related activities. 

THEME 3 – OUACHITA RANGE ECOSYSTEMS 

The ancient, east-west trending Ouachita 

Mountains not only offer the gift of highquality thermal water, they also nurture a 

remarkable diversity of flora and fauna that 

survives within the borders of an “island of 

preservation” called Hot Springs National 

Park. 

This theme delves into the area’s biological 

characteristics and primeval factors that 

made the 5550-acre park what it is: plate 

tectonics and uplift, seas that deposited 

sediment fated to become rock such as 

novaculite (long exploited by humans in 

tool-making), erosion, old growth forest 

and the organisms that depend on it, fire 

in nature, and the incidental creation of 

subterranean pathways that would someday 

link the hot springs’ recharge and discharge 

zones. 

THEME 4 – PARk AND CITY 

The creation of Hot Springs Reservation/ 

National Park as a health resort led to the 

birth of a city that catered to health seekers. 

Thus began a symbiotic relationship that 

continues to evolve. 

10 I National Park Service 
 

The hot springs in Hot Springs 

National Park emerge along a fault 

on the western side of Hot Springs 

Mountain, which borders the 

downtown area of the city of Hot 

Springs, Arkansas. 

This theme addresses Reservation/Park and 

City ties: the 1877 Hot Springs Commission, 

subsequent boundary changes and land acquisitions; cooperative projects (e.g., creek 

arch and combined sewerage); “drumming” 

in Hot Springs and the federal struggle to 

outlaw it; promotional efforts; the Board of 

Registered Physicians; hospitals; pharmacies; destruction of natural spring outlets by 

bathhouse builders leading to federal regulation of blasting; crime in the city and its 

spread into the park (e.g., the 1927 murder 

of James Cary, first National Park Service 

ranger murdered while on duty); the variety 

of entertainment opportunities available 

in the city for park visitors; the 1875 local 

precedent for rail access to national parks; 

and bathhouse entrepreneurs, their political 

connections, and their roles in the development of town and Reservation. 

THEME 5 – EARLY PEOPLES 

American Indians were first and longest on 

the scene. European explorers and hunters 

also helped set the stage for the American Spa. 

This theme summarizes what we know of 

those who came prior to the 19th century. 

Native history goes back at least 10,000 

years in the region; the Caddo and Quapaw 

are the park’s affiliated tribes. Hernando de 

Soto’s expedition entered Arkansas in the 

16th century, leaving a legacy of disease, 

then French hunters and trappers arrived 

in the 17th and 18th centuries. Reliable 

documentation for pre-1800s culture in 

the park vicinity is scarce to non-existent, 

however, except for novaculite quarries 

thought to have been used mostly during 

what archeologists call the Archaic Period. 

THEME 6 – RESOURCE PROTECTION 

PIONEER 

In 1832 the Congress and President 

unknowingly helped shape the national park 

ideal by reserving, for public use in an age of 

“taking the waters” for one’s ailments, four 

square miles of Arkansas Territory containing 

the largest group of hot springs then under 

U.S. control. 

This theme examines reasoning behind 

the considerable body of early legislation 

at Hot Springs, and the relation of these 

laws to later ones in National Park Service 

history (e.g., an 1820 memorial requesting 

that these springs be set aside and saying 

why), efforts to ensure fair access to water 

considered a boon to disease sufferers 

(including an 1878 provision for indigents), 

rulings that balanced resource conservation 

and appropriate public use, and even the 

Historic Leasing Program guiding current 

revitalization of Bathhouse Row. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 11 
Desired Visitor Experience
 

Desired visitor experiences describe what physical, intellectual, and emotional 

experiences should be available for visitors to Hot Springs National Park. These 

experiences will be available to visitors of all abilities, including those with 

visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive impairments. 

Visitors to Hot Springs National Park will 

have opportunities to: 

n	 Feel the hot spring water as well as drink 

it and take some home. 

n	 Experience a bird’s eye view of Hot 

Springs National Park from the Tower. 

n	 Walk along the Grand Promenade and 

the park trails for exercise and fitness. 

n	 Stay overnight at the Gulpha Gorge 

Campground. 

n	 Enjoy a picnic. 

n	 Learn the distinction between the city of 

Hot Springs and Hot Springs National 

Park and understand that the park is a 

unit of the National Park System. 

n	 Feel a sense of the past. 

n	 Feel welcome and safe. 

n	 Have access to clean restrooms and 

drinking water. 

n	 Be oriented to the area and to the 

recreational opportunities within the 

park. 

n	 Take either a self-guided or guided tour 

at the park visitor center in the Fordyce 

Bathhouse. 

n	 Experience a thermal water spa at either 

a traditional bathhouse or a modern 

facility. 

n	 Obtain theme-related merchandise, 

publications, maps, and educational 

materials. 

n	 Interact with park staff and participate 

in park programs and activities including 

Junior Rangers. 

n	 Understand, to varying degrees, all park 

themes and significance. 

n	 Make tangible connections through 

original artifacts, historic buildings and 

landscapes to the people and events 

represented in Hot Springs National Park 

stories. 

Hot Springs National Park with 

its hot springs, natural areas, and 

historic use of the springs for 

medicine and recreation can provide 

extensions for teachers’ classroom 

materials. 

12 I National Park Service 
Park Audiences
 

This is a broad description of park audiences and their needs—including current 

and potential audiences. “Audience” describes anyone who uses a site’s interpretation and educational services whether in person or “virtually” through digital 

technologies. 

Approximately 1.4 million visitors come 

to Hot Springs National Park annually. 

This figure is based on a five year average 

of monthly public use data taken during 

calendar years 2003-2007. There has been 

an 18 percent decrease in visitation from 

2003 (1,561,311) to 2006 (1,273,456). There 

was a slight increase in visitation in 2007. 

Statistics indicate that one third of park 

visitors go to some combination of the 

following: the Hot Springs National Park 

Visitor Center, Buckstaff Bathhouse, Gulpha 

Gorge Campground, or the Hot Springs 

Mountain Tower. 

Peak visitation is during the summer months 

of June, July and August. The shoulder 

seasons are March-May and SeptemberOctober. Visitation during the winter 

months is almost 50 percent less than the 

summer, with the exception of heavy visitation during the Thanksgiving and Christmas 

holidays. Visitation data from the 2004 State 

of Arkansas “Overnight Leisure Visitor 

Profile” suggests most visitors drive to the 

park and are coming from within the state as 

well as from Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, and 

Oklahoma. The majority of the visitors are 

individuals and small family groups. 

Anecdotal evidence from park staff suggests 

that most local visitors are using the Gulpha 

Gorge Picnic Area and park trails and do 

not necessarily come to the Hot Springs 

National Park Visitor Center located in the 

Fordyce Bathhouse. 

Home school students and public/parochial school groups most often come in the 

spring on end-of-year field trips. During 

the 2004-2005 school year 700 students visited with 42 percent from the Hot Springs/ 

Garland County area, 34 percent from other 

Arkansas schools, and 14 percent from out 

of state. The park recorded 9 percent as college student tours. During the 2006-2007 

school year approximately 500 students 

visited with 18 percent local schools, 60 percent other Arkansas schools, and 22 percent 

college groups, including Arkansas and out 

of state. Non-formal education groups include Scouts, 4-H, and Elderhostel. 

Staff members attend teacher conferences 

to encourage teachers to incorporate Hot 

Springs National Park into their classroom 

studies. These may include the Arkansas 

Curriculum Conference, the Arkansas 

Gifted and Talented Educators Conference, 

and the Arkansas Math and Science 

Teacher’s Conference. 

The park has developed a relationship with 

area high school - EAST (Environmental 

and Spatial Technology) Labs, to create new 

virtual technology programs. 

The park has 26 miles of trails for 

visitors to explore. People can see 

wildflowers, rock formations, and 

beautiful scenery. Here, a park ranger 

leads a spring nature walk along the 

Grand Promenade. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 13 
 

Issues and Challenges Affecting Interpretation
 

Hot Springs National Park has many assets upon which to build an effective 

interpretive program, including evocative and compelling stories, outstanding 

cultural resources, ongoing research, a professional staff, and dedicated 

supporters. It also faces a number of challenges. Well-designed programs can 

build on interpretive strengths to help overcome the challenges. 

IDENTITY: 

n	 Literal community and park boundary lines are blurred to the public to the point 

of confusion. It is difficult to discern where the park ends and community begins. 

Interpretation can be a powerful resource in mitigating the confusion between the park 

and the City of Hot Springs by interpreting the history of the park’s development. 

n	 Confusion between NPS-conducted and private sector-conducted activities. 

ACCESS: 

n	 Large recreational vehicle parking in town is difficult. There are few options available so 

that visitors can stop and visit. 

CORE OPS: 

n	 Education has been added as a component of the interpretive program. A park education 

plan has been written and approved; an Education Specialist position has been approved 

but not yet funded. 

n	 Marketing and leasing of six bathhouses to be used as bathhouses, museums, or other 

appropriate business opportunities has begun. Rehabilitation and construction activities 

continue on the bathhouses. 

The city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, 

with about 39,000 people, is located 

immediately outside the park’s 

boundaries. PHoTo CouRTESy oF HoT SPRINGS AdVERTISING ANd PRoMoTIoN CoMMISSIoN. 

14 I National Park Service 
Existing Conditions 

FACILITIES 

Visitor Center 

The visitor center is located in the Fordyce 

Bathhouse which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

daily. There is an Eastern National bookstore and a small theater which shows the 

park film “Valley of Vapors.” Touchable 

exhibits are located outside of the theater. 

An information desk, message board and 

publications are located in the lobby. The 

chairs and plants in the lobby replicate the 

historic setting of the Fordyce. Visitors may 

either go on a guided tour or take a selfguiding tour of the Fordyce. Visitor flow is 

directed either to the right for those wanting 

to take the tour of the museum or left for 

those who want to go to the bookstore and/ 

or the theater. 

Within Hot Springs, Arkansas, there are 

multiple visitor centers serving different 

functions: 

n	 Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center 

is located in the Fordyce Bathhouse. This 

facility provides information, orientation, 

and interpretation focused on the 

national park. 

n	 The city of Hot Springs Visitor Center 

provides information about lodging and 

local tourist attractions. 

n	 Hot Springs Mountain Tower has a sales 

desk that provides limited information 

about the park and local tourist 

attractions. 

n	 The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in 

the Federal Building is open Monday 

through Friday. This office sells USFS 

merchandise and provides information 

about the local National Forests. 

Bathhouse Row 

Bathhouse Row is the focal point for visitor 

activities within the park. The visitor center 

is located within the Fordyce Bathhouse. 

The Buckstaff Bathhouse is a concession 

that offers traditional baths. The Quapaw is 

a leased business operating as a modern spa 

with pools, and the Ozark Bathhouse has 

been leased as a museum of contemporary 

art. The other bathhouses are currently 

closed to the public. There are multiple 

locations along Bathhouse Row where 

visitors can see the hot springs as well as feel 

and drink the water. 

Hot Springs National Park interpretive 

rangers present daily guided walks during 

the summer months. Topics include 

bathhouse construction and restoration, 

architecture, and geology as well as history 

related to the hot springs. Programs are 

offered free of charge, and group size varies. 

Tour size average is six visitors. Junior 

Ranger programs are also offered free of 

charge here in the summer, on a variety of 

topics. There are wayside panels in front 

of each bathhouse and at both entrances 

to Bathhouse Row. Free park-produced 

publications about thermal water and 

historical topics are available at the visitor 

center. Special events are held throughout 

the year along with evening activities 

including receptions and art shows. 

Buckstaff Bathhouse opened in 1912 

and continues to provide an opportunity 

for the public to experience a historic, 

traditional bath. All new seasonal staff 

experience a thermal bath as part of their 

orientation training. There is currently good 

communication and a good relationship 

between the Buckstaff and park staff 

members. 

Quapaw Baths and Spa opened in the 

summer of 2008 and offers modern spa 

services with pools. The Museum of 

Contemporary Art of Hot Springs opened in 

the Ozark Bathhouse in April of 2009. 

Grand Promenade 

Historically visitors walked the Grand 

Promenade as part of their health and 

wellness visit to Hot Springs. 

Directional waysides are located along the 

main trail. Free trail maps are available 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 15 
Above:A park ranger presents a 

“Leave No Trace” program at the 

Gulpha Gorge Amphitheater. 

Right: The Grand Promenade started 

as part of a Public Works Administration project in the 1930s and was 

completed in 1957. Several park 

trails begin and end from the Grand 

Promenade. Bottom: Goat Rock Trail 

is one of the day-use hiking trails 

that visitors can explore. 

16 I National Park Service 
“Wild Sunflowers at the Pagoda” by 

jamie Carter, Artist in Residence. 

at the Hot Springs National Park Visitor 

Center, and a trail guide is being developed 

as a future sales item at the Eastern National 

bookstore. 

Access to the Grand Promenade is 

challenging. Two of three major entrances 

include walking steps, and ramps are steep. 

Hot Springs Mountain Tower 

The tower is a park concession. Visitors pay 

a fee to go to the top of the tower; elevator 

access is available. There are two separate 

observation decks offering views of the park 

and the community. A gift shop, restrooms, 

and sales desk are located at the base of the 

tower. Park-produced free publications and 

non-park sales items are available. Exhibits 

are located on the enclosed observation 

deck. 

Whittington Park 

The park is a popular place for the community to walk and provides a restful place 

within the city. It is located adjacent to the 

entrance to West Mountain Drive. Band 

concerts are held biweekly in the summer. 

Trails 

There are approximately 26 miles of dayuse hiking trails in the park including most 

of a circa 1914 Oertel system of graduated 

exercise trails designed especially for healthseekers. Walking and hiking the trails is a 

year-round activity for health, fitness, and 

recreation. Free park-produced trail guides 

are available at the visitor center. Waysides 

are located at the trailheads along the Grand 

Promenade but not at the backcountry 

trailheads. 

Interpretive staff offer guided hikes about 

spring wildflowers and natural history. In 

2008 the 8 hikes offered attracted a total 

of 70 visitors. There is also a litter/graffiti 

prevention campaign and a “Leave No 

Trace” program that is presented to scouts 

upon request. 

Gulpha Gorge 

Gulpha Gorge has a picnic area with more 

than 20 tables with pedestal grills, and the 

fee-based campground has 40 sites and an 

amphitheater. There are historical features 

including a cabin that is now used to house 

the “Artist-In-Residence.” Visitors can 

access trails and, with a state fishing license, 

go fishing. 

There is an orientation and information 

bulletin board adjacent to where the visitor 

pays the campground fee. 

Drives/Roads 

There are overlooks and vistas along the 

park’s designated scenic drives, and these 

provide a view of the Zigzag Range. Many 

visitors driving on Hot Springs Mountain 

Drive are going to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower and the Pagoda. No vehicles 

over 30 feet in length can travel on Hot 

Springs Mountain Drive. Longer vehicles, 

including tour buses, can only go up West 

Mountain Road. There is limited orientation 

and information signage on the tour roads, 

and no waysides. 

Interpretive opportunities to understand the 

park’s complex geologic story are provided 

by the Hot Springs National Park Geologic 

Excursion Tour Guide, which is a sales item 

sold at the park bookstore. Interpretive 

staff present talks on Arlington Lawn and at 

scenic overlooks as special events. 

NON-PERSONAL SERVICES 

(INTERPRETIVE MEDIA) 

There is a variety of interpretive media 

throughout the park, including: 

Website 

The website is updated regularly. 

Exhibits 

An exhibit hall is located on the second 

floor of the Fordyce Bathhouse. These exhibits were produced by Harpers Ferry Center (HFC) in 1989 and provide orientation 

to the park’s cultural and natural resources. 

“African Americans and the Hot Springs 

Baths” is a touch-screen exhibit that 

includes oral history and photographs of the 

contributions of African Americans. 

Historically Furnished Areas 

Historic furnishings are on display in 24 

rooms within the Fordyce Bathhouse. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 17 
Above: The park’s wayside exhibit 

panels do not reflect the current 

NPS standards. 

Below: A needle shower is located 

in the men’s bath hall at the Fordyce 

Bathhouse. 

Harpers Ferry Center produced a Historic 

Furnishings Report in 1987, and the exhibits 

opened in 1989. 

Audiovisual programs 

“Valley of Vapors” is a 15-minute video that 

was produced by HFC in 1989. The video is 

started automatically and is shown every 30 

minutes. It provides an overall orientation 

to the entire park. It is shown in the 45-seat 

theater located in the Fordyce Bathhouse. 

The program does have open captioning. 

Assisted-listening devices are available 

upon request. The program is being audiodescribed in 2008-09. 

“Taking the Baths” is a nine-minute video 

that was produced by HFC in 1988. The 

video explains the process of a traditional 

bath. It is shown on a kiosk in the second 

floor Fordyce Bathhouse exhibit area. 

Visitors push a button to begin the program. 

The program is captioned and will be audiodescribed in 2009. 

Wayside Exhibits 

All park wayside panels are fiberglassembedded. Six panels are upright and fifteen 

are traditional horizontal. The Peak Trail 

and Open Springs panels were installed 

in 1993. The Open Springs and Quapaw 

Bathhouse panel information was updated 

in 2001. All other panels were installed 

in 1996. Harpers Ferry Center last sent 

replacement panels in March 2004. 

Panels were created before the NPS graphic 

identity program was established. 

The park’s wayside exhibit panels do not 

reflect the current National Park Service 

standards. 

Signs 

Old signs are being replaced using cyclic 

maintenance funding. 

Publications 

The park’s primary publication is the NPS 

Official Map and Guide, last revised in 2008. 

Numerous free publications on special 

topics are available at the visitor center. 

junior Rangers 

Hot Springs National Park Junior Ranger 

Activity Books and badges are available 

free of charge at the visitor center. For 

scheduled Junior Ranger programs, a special 

embroidered patch is given out free of 

charge. 

18 I National Park Service 
Above: The park guide and museum 

specialist inventory items from the 

park collections that have been used 

in a temporary exhibit. 

Below: A park ranger presents a 

junior Ranger program on junior 

Ranger Day. 

Staff members are currently developing 

Junior Ranger Archeologist and Geologist 

programs. 

Park Library, Archives, and Collections 

There are more than 625,000 natural and 

cultural resource items in the museum 

collections. The collections started in 

1936 and have grown dramatically in the 

past 30 years as the bathhouses closed 

and were rehabilitated. Objects include 

archival maps, documents, photographs, 

antique exercise therapy machines, Art 

Nouveau stained glass skylights, plant and 

insect collections, prehistoric archeological 

artifacts, geology specimens, and bathhouse 

fixtures and furnishings. Collections are 

used for temporary and permanent exhibits, 

research, program development, and park 

planning. The park library is a research 

facility for staff and for visiting scholars by 

appointment. 

PERSONAL SERVICES 

Hot Springs National Park’s Division of 

Interpretation and Cultural Resources 

offers a variety of interpretive programs, 

including guided tours, costumed 

interpretation, special topic programs 

and off-sites activities. Programs include 

geology/thermal springs tours, architectural 

walks, an “insider’s tour” of Bathhouse 

Row renovations, and “ranger’s choice” 

programs. Ranger’s choice programs 

include spring wildflower walks, night sky 

programs, Fordyce museum tours, and 

children’s Junior Ranger topics. 

Costumed interpretation programs include a 

Fordyce patron exercising in the gymnasium 

in the Fordyce, a 1915 bath attendant 

presentation, and an early park ranger at 

Hot Springs National Park/Reservation talk. 

Many areas of the park’s interpretive themes 

are not adequately addressed, including the 

forest ecosystem, the history of segregation 

and the bathhouses, and the historical 

American Indian influence on the area. 

Little formal or informal interpretation is 

provided at Whittington Park. 

The Division of Interpretation and Cultural 

Resources has a small staff size, which limits 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 19 
A park guide, dressed as an 

early park ranger at Hot Springs 

National Park, presents a costumed 

interpretive program. 

offering off-site programs on a regular basis. 

The Fordyce Bathhouse is designed to be 

self-guiding, but guided tours are offered for 

groups who call for reservations. 

Volunteers give guided tours of the Fordyce 

Bathhouse several days each week. In Fiscal 

Year 2008 they delivered a total of 434 

tours for 9,100 visitors. Park interpreters 

give bathhouse tours as time allows. The 

information desk is continuously staffed, 

and roving interpretation is performed as 

time allows. 

Special Events 

Hot Springs National Park annually 

observes “Constitution Week.” The Akansa 

Chapter of the Daughters of the American 

Revolution distributes information about 

the Constitution and there is an opportunity 

for visitors to sign a copy of the document. 

The park sponsors a “Volksmarch” each 

October, which is sanctioned by the 

American Volkssport Association. 

The Dunbar-Hunter Expedition commemoration is held annually in December. 

“History Helpers,” a local group of living 

history professionals, presents costumed 

interpretation about life and travel during 

the early 1800s, the time of the expedition. 

Visitors come to see period cooking, fire 

starting, firearms, and clothing, and to learn 

about river poling. When a black powder 

supervisor is available, black powder firing 

demonstrations are offered. 

Since 2005 the park has been celebrating 

an “Edwardian Christmas.” Costumed 

volunteer Marge Newburn explains 

Christmas during the Edwardian period in 

the United States. The Christmas tree in the 

20 I National Park Service 
 

	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

Fordyce lobby is decorated with ornaments, 

many handmade, like the type used in 1915. 

In response to the National Park Service’s 

new program Children and Nature Plan for 

Action a special Earth Day (April 22) workshop was held in 2008. Arkansas State Park 

representatives attended as well as U.S. 

Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives. The park initiated 

a follow-up event, an “Outdoor Expo,” in 

the Lamar Bathhouse in the summer 2008. 

County-wide outdoor recreation agencies 

came to set up booths and distribute information. This will become an annual event. 

March is “Arkansas Heritage Month,” 

and the park offers a temporary exhibit 

or special program related to the theme 

each year. In 2008 living historian Tom 

Yancey portrayed Arkansas Governor and 

bathhouse owner Henry Rector. 

The park holds special events each year 

during National Park Week. These often 

include a talk by a recent author from the 

area followed by a book signing. In 2008 the 

park held its first Junior Ranger Day on the 

same day as the National Junior Ranger Day 

and intends to continue to offer this event. 

Each June the park conducts guided hikes 

on National Trails Day. 

Staffing 

Staff positions according to current park 

organizational chart include the following: 

Chief of Interpretation 

and Cultural Resources GS-025-12 

Interpretive Program Assistant GS-303-6 

Park Ranger GS-025-9 

Park Ranger GS-025-9 

Park Ranger GS-025-9 

Park Guide GS-090-5 

Other Programmatic Responsibilities 

Managed by Interpretation and Cultural 

Resources Include: 

•	 Section 106 Compliance Coordinator/

Paraprofessional Archaeologist – 20 

percent of one GS-9’s time. 

•	 Volunteer Coordinator – 20 percent of

one GS-9’s time. 

•	 Eastern National Bookstore Coordinator

– 30 percent of one GS-9’s time. 

•	 Website and Library Duties – 20 percent

of the Interpretive Program Assistant’s 

time. 

Ranger Program Topics Include: 

Bathhouse Row Insider’s, Discovering 

the Waters, Fordyce Bathhouse, and 

Architecture Tours; programs on Negro 

Leagues teams at Hot Springs, American 

Indians, career days, bath attendants, 

Spanish exploration, and the DeSoto legend. 

Two interpreters are certified Leave No 

Trace trainers. 

Information Desk 

Interpretive staff must spend approximately 

25 percent of their time operating the 

information desk. Even if there is a 

volunteer working at the information 

desk, a permanent interpreter, who is a fee 

collector, must be available to issue America 

the Beautiful interagency passes. 

CURRICULUM-BASED EDUCATION 

PROGRAM 

The park does not have a historian or an 

education specialist to implement and 

manage an educational program as desired 

by the National Park Service. 

Five curriculum-based lesson plans are 

available online. The lesson plans address 

the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition, thermal 

water, Bathhouse Row, the African 

American story, and a Leave No Trace 

lesson plan about litter. 

An 1804-05 Dunbar-Hunter Expedition 

traveling trunk was developed and is 

available for loan. Educational materials 

are distributed at annual conferences. Staff 

members attend teacher conferences to 

encourage teachers to incorporate Hot 

Springs National Park into their classroom 

studies. These may include the Arkansas 

Curriculum Conference, the Arkansas 

Gifted and Talented Educators Conference, 

and the Arkansas Math and Science 

Teacher’s Conference. 

School groups can visit historic buildings, 

take water samples, and retrace the steps of 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 21 
Above: “Flashy Fordyce” by joAnne 

Doshier. 

Opposite page: From atop Hot 

Springs Mountain Tower, visitors 

can see the forested mountains of 

the park and the city of Hot Springs 

landscape. 

an explorer. Law enforcement rangers visit 

schools to educate children about graffiti 

and bike safety. No structured educational 

program currently exists with pre-visit and 

post-visit activities or ranger visits to classes. 

Occasionally, limited staffing prevents 

accommodating some school groups’ 

requests; however, reservations for tours are 

scheduled as much as possible. 

PARTNERSHIPS 

Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs 

National Park, Inc., provided funding in 

2006 for restoration of historic stained glass 

and for the 175th anniversary celebration. 

The Friends currently raise funds for the 

park, sponsor the annual “Wine, Food, 

and Arts Extravaganza” as their primary 

fundraising activity, and decorate Bathhouse 

Row for the holiday season. 

COOPERATING ASSOCIATION 

The park bookstore is operated by a parttime, 24 hours per week, Eastern National 

employee, park interpretive staff, and 

volunteers. The bookstore is located in the 

visitor center in a room just north of the 

lobby. Staffing the bookstore is difficult 

and sometimes comes at the expense 

of providing interpretive programs. On 

the other hand, it serves a fundamental 

interpretive purpose by encouraging visitors 

to investigate park themes more deeply. 

Eastern National revenue increased 35 

percent in 2006 and the park received 

$7,500 for its Interpretive Donation account. 

Interpretive and educational activities 

using reproductions of items taken on 

expeditions such as the 1804-05 dunbar-Hunter Expedition, captivate area 

students and young visitors. The dunbarHunter Expedition was commissioned by 

President Jefferson as the first scientific 

expedition to the “hot springs on the 

Washita,” the area that became Hot 

Springs National Park. Park rangers bring 

to life the significant but frequently overlooked expedition, while showing kids 

how Arkansas and the hot springs relate 

to the Louisiana Purchase. 

The park spent $68,000 in Fiscal Year 2006 

to manage and operate the bookstore. 

Interpretive donation funds are utilized for 

a wide variety of interpretive projects. These 

include funding for living history programs, 

speakers for special events, refreshments for 

workshops and special events, and printing 

park publications. 

VOLUNTEERS 

In Fiscal Year 2006, 825 volunteers 

contributed 13,939 hours. Most volunteers 

serve in the visitor center and assist in the 

bookstore and at the information desk. 

Some volunteers lead guided walks or hikes 

and assist with special events. 

Artist In Residence 

Artists stay for up to one month and 

produce paintings, drawings, photography, 

music, video, sculpture, or writing inspired 

by the park’s history, culture, and natural 

surroundings. Each artist donates a work to 

the park to display and use in publications. 

Gulpha Gorge Campground 

Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) clean and maintain restrooms, campsites, and picnic areas. 

Students 

EAST Lab students created videos, virtual 

tours, and mapped trails. 

Recognition 

The park volunteer coordinator and Superintendent work together to recognize volunteer achievements throughout the year. 

22 I National Park Service 
Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 23 
24 I National Park Service 
 

Part 2: Future Interpretive Program 

“A Hot Springs visit and sojourn comprise a lifelong memory of renewed health and vacation pleasures. 

The boiling baths, the constant electrifying hot draughts at every steaming spring, fountain and faucet, 

the elixir ozone of the mountain pines, driving, riding or promenading, tennis, golf and ball grounds, the 

ostrich, alligator and kennel parks, the sky steel tower on Hot Springs peak, the fine orchestras, nightly 

hops, and state balls, social cards and always attractive panorama of the passing people combine to make 

a Hot Spring sojourn a distinct life experience.” 

—persinger’s pictorial post book booklet, 1908 

PHoTo By CHRISToPHER LIGHT 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 25 
The Planning Process
 

In developing this Long-Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP) as part of the Comprehensive Interpretive Planning process, a series of workshops was conducted with 

park staff and partners. 

A two-day workshop was held in October 2005 to review and revise the park’s interpretive 

themes. The foundations section of the plan was drafted in June 2007 during a three-day 

workshop. Then in April 2008 a three-day workshop was held to determine the current 

state of the interpretive program and to begin making recommendations for the next 

five to seven years. A one-day meeting was held at the park in June 2008 to complete the 

recommendations section. The implementation plan was completed via conference calls 

and e-mail. 

Once the initial draft Long-Range Interpretive Plan was completed in October 2008, it 

was reviewed by the core interpretive team and park management. The revised draft 

was then reviewed by park divisional representatives, key park partners, and planning 

workshop participants. This collaborative interpretive planning effort has produced a more 

comprehensive document to guide the park’s interpretive program into the future. 

Hot Springs National Park offers opportunities for families to enjoy the 

outdoors or explore history, museums, and the arts. 

26 I National Park Service 
 

Goals for Interpretive Programming 

After reviewing the contents of this LRIP’s Part One, park staff identified the following areas of focus that have not been adequately addressed. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the overall interpretive programming in the park, the 

following goals and issues must be addressed over the next five to seven years: 

IMPROVE ORIENTATION, SIGNS, AND 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND 

INTERPRETATION 

An important goal for providing interpretive 

programming over the next five to seven 

years is to improve orientation, signs, 

and access to basic park information. No 

unified NPS sign system exists to clearly 

identify park buildings and major exhibits, 

help visitors locate parking, or provide 

information and clear directions to park 

sites. The park needs to create a Master 

Sign Plan to help visitors easily discover 

key park buildings within a crowded urban 

environment. 

The function of a visitor center is to orient 

visitors to the park and its resources, 

services, and attractions. Another purpose 

of a visitor center is to interpret the park’s 

stories and provide opportunities for 

personal connections to resource meanings 

and significance as described by interpretive 

themes. Visitor centers emphasize those 

story elements that are best told by indoor 

interpretive media. Visitor centers provide 

a human point of contact as well as special 

and visual identity for the park. 

The Hot Springs National Park Visitor 

Center is currently located within the 

Fordyce Bathhouse. The building serves 

two functions: that of a museum and of a 

visitor center. This arrangement means that 

some historic rooms have been restored 

and opened for a museum tour, while 

others were adapted for use as a theater, 

Eastern National bookstore, exhibit rooms, 

conference room, and staff offices. 

Having the visitor center desk located in 

the Fordyce lobby means that staff cannot 

be as responsive to visitor needs because 

of this dual building use. The bookstore 

and exhibit areas cannot be expanded to 

improve visitor flow and access. There is 

also limited opportunity to change exhibits 

or add new sales items to provide more 

thematic context to the whole park story. 

The participants at the 2008 workshops 

recommended that the visitor center be 

relocated to the Lamar Bathhouse if there is 

an opportunity to do so. This move would 

make space available for an education center 

on the first floor of the Fordyce, which 

is accessible and could easily be adapted. 

Appendix B provides specific details related 

to this recommendation. 

The Hot Springs National Park 

Visitor Center is currently located 

within the Fordyce Bathhouse. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 27 
INCREASE NEW TECHNOLOGY 

OPPORTUNITIES 

More visitors are using computers, cell 

phones, GPS units, iPods, MP3 players, and 

a variety of other technological systems for 

entertainment, information, orientation, 

and interpretation than ever before. In 

response to the growing demand for these 

services, the park needs to offer portable 

“individualized” audio and/or audiovisual 

opportunities. Using new technology 

will possibly create opportunities for a 

more diverse audience to experience 

park resources than ever before. These 

services will allow visitors to access more 

park resources and meanings at their 

convenience. The National Park Service is 

still exploring accessible equivalents to these 

new technologies. 

Cell phones are used in many parks as an 

alternative message delivery system. With 

a cell phone system, visitors can hear brief 

and focused audio messages at various 

sites around the park. In many areas with 

even minimal reception, this system works 

far better than fixed or in-ground audio 

stations or rental tape players, compact 

discs, or audio wands. Using cell phones as 

the device to communicate NPS interpretive 

messages eliminates the administrative 

burden on parks compared to the staff 

time required to provide and rent audio 

tour equipment or sell packaged programs. 

Messages can be readily updated by park 

staff, and an additional level of messages 

could provide information on services, 

facilities, regulations, special events, hours, 

closings, and safety issues. 

An ever-increasing percentage of park 

visitors are internet users who visit the Hot 

Springs National Park website (www.nps. 

gov/hosp) seeking information. Many of 

these “virtual visitors” never actually come 

to the park, but have their needs met solely 

though the website. The website should 

highlight the opportunities and experiences 

that are available to both on-site visitors and 

virtual visitors. 

Audiovisual media are well suited to 

the presentation of chronological and 

sequential material. They can capture 

realism, provide emotional impact, and 

create a mood or atmosphere. Also they can 

reach many visitors at one time and may 

be included in exhibits or posted onto the 

park website, in addition to being shown in 

dedicated auditorium spaces. Production 

of a new park film will provide visitors 

with a broad but accurate story of the park, 

replacing the outdated movie currently in 

use and incorporating stories such as the 

local African American community (Theme 

4) and its relationship with Bathhouse Row 

operations (Theme 2). 

In response to Director Mary Bomar’s 

memo of October 20, 2006, on the 

“Audiovisual Accessibility Initiative 

for Visitors with Disabilities,” the 

interpretive staff has initiated steps to 

assure that the park’s current and future 

audiovisual programs and auditorium are 

meeting accessibility requirements. For 

more information, see the website for 

Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for 

National Park Service Interpretive Media at 

www.nps.gov/hfc/accessibility/index.htm#. 

Audio provides intellectual access to visually 

impaired visitors and can be more effective 

for reaching visitors whose preferred 

learning style is auditory rather than visual. 

Audio descriptions could also be used to 

narrate the text of a wayside exhibit and 

describe the graphics seen on the panels as 

well as describe the surrounding view that 

prompted the need to tell the story. 

IMPLEMENT EDUCATION PLAN 

An effective park education program 

requires adequate staff for planning, 

development, implementation, and 

assessment. The resources and themes 

of Hot Springs National Park offer 

great potential for the development of a 

dynamic and popular education program in 

partnership with Hot Springs area schools. 

A well designed and effectively operated 

park education program generally depends 

on establishing a full-time Education 

Coordinator position. The primary role of 

the coordinator will be to secure resources 

to facilitate the development and growth 

of a curriculum-based program based on 

national and state education standards. 

28 I National Park Service 
 

The park relies upon volunteers to 

staff the Eastern National bookstore 

and the visitor center information 

desk. 

Future growth of the park education 

program is primarily contingent upon 

hiring the Education Coordinator (see 

Staffing section). With a strong program 

and ties directly to local, state, and national 

curriculum standards, more schools will 

realize the value of using the park to help 

meet their needs. This can be accomplished 

by involving educators from Hot Springs 

area schools directly in the development 

of both general and specific activities and 

curriculum guides. 

CREATE NEW WAYSIDE ExHIBIT PANELS 

Wayside exhibits tell the Hot Springs 

National Park story on location. They 

“caption the landscape” and help visitors 

make direct connections with resources 

and their meanings. Wayside exhibits 

provide round-the-clock information and 

interpretation, and with appealing highquality design, writing, and graphics, they 

can serve to instill and reinforce respect 

for important resources. In association 

with good graphics, waysides can show 

what a site looked like at different points 

in time. In addition, temporary waysides 

can be developed inexpensively to interpret 

construction, restoration, and preservation 

projects. 

A parkwide wayside exhibit proposal is 

recommended to ensure the development 

of a complete, high-quality, and unified 

system of waysides with an NPS identity. 

The proposal will provide an in-depth 

assessment of all potential wayside exhibit 

sites. It includes both informational and 

interpretive exhibits. The document 

also can set priorities to guide wayside 

development in phases as funding allows. 

The proposal will describe the purpose 

of each wayside exhibit, identify graphics 

available for use, show thumbnail design 

concept drawings, and determine exact 

exhibit sizes, base styles, and locations. 

A detailed budget estimate would also be 

part of the document. The proposal would 

include recommendations for Bathhouse 

Row (Theme 2: American Spa), the Grand 

Promenade (Themes 1: Hot Springs and 

2: American Spa), Trails (Themes 1: Hot 

Springs and 3: Ouachita Ecosystem), 

Whittington Park (Theme 4: Park and City 

including history, ponds, boating, lawn 

tennis, part of reservation, baseball fields), 

Gulpha Gorge (Themes 1: Hot Springs and 

3: Ouachita Ecosystem), and both Mountain 

Roads (Themes 1: Hot Springs and 3: 

Ouachita Ecosystem). 

PROVIDE PERSONAL SERVICES 

Interpreters are the best interactive tool in 

enabling visitors to experience, understand, 

appreciate, and make personal connections 

with the resource. The park will continue 

to provide guided tours of the Fordyce 

Bathhouse (Theme 2); however, special 

emphasis should continue in the direction of 

providing more guided hikes on trails and at 

Gulpha Gorge and costumed interpretation. 

These programs will help to diversify the 

personal services and highlight the other 

primary interpretive themes. Seasonal 

roving interpreters along Bathhouse Row, 

at the Mountain Tower, and in other park 

areas will increase opportunities to help 

visitors make personal connections with the 

resources. 

The diversity of the park’s resources 

and themes presents almost limitless 

opportunities for both standard and 

innovative interpretive activities. As staffing 

levels permit, and in keeping within the 

parameters of the interpretive themes and 

visitor experience goals, park staff should be 

given a high degree of creative freedom to 

explore and experiment with new programs. 

This will help to maintain a creative edge 

and attract new and returning audiences. 

Seasonal employees funded by the 

Centennial Initiative should allow the park 

to increase the numbers of programs offered 

as well as diversify the programming. 

Great potential exists to experiment with 

the development of programs related to 

prescribed fire, climate change, health and 

fitness and recreation, and the stories of 

the people who came to and worked in the 

spas. Since personal services interpretive 

programs are relatively easy to change, 

the activities should be evaluated on a 

regular basis to discontinue those that are 

not effective, modify or improve those 

that require it, and validate those that are 

successful. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 29 
UPGRADE AND IMPROVE INTERPRETIVE 

MEDIA 

Publications 

Visitors typically use publications in two 

ways: for information and orientation 

during their visit, and for in-depth 

interpretation following their visit. The 

park’s size, access issues, and number 

of stories to tell make publications an 

effective method of interpretive delivery. 

Publications are a means for getting 

information to diverse audiences through 

a variety of formats. All brochures, site 

bulletins, maps, rack cards and other 

publications should meet NPS graphic 

identity standards. It is important that park 

identity be addressed comprehensively 

because of the thematic connection between 

the park and the city (Theme 4). 

Community Relations 

Informing the Hot Springs National Park 

area communities about park activities 

and events is an opportunity to create 

goodwill with local residents. This can 

be inexpensively done through the local 

newspapers or community calendars. The 

park should continue to provide the local 

papers with entries for their calendars of 

events. It is also important that park identity 

be addressed comprehensively when 

working with the community because of the 

actual and thematic relationship between 

the park and the city (Theme 4). 

Exhibits 

Exhibits provide both two- and threedimensional displays of informational and 

interpretive material that may include text, 

maps, images, models, replicas, artifacts, 

or interactive components. Hot Springs 

National Park has a spectrum of exhibits 

from professionally produced to in-house 

handmade exhibits. The exhibits are 

primarily located on the second floor of the 

Fordyce Bathhouse. 

The resource orientation exhibits have 

been located in a large second floor room 

since 1989 and do not adequately interpret 

all major park themes. Theme 4 (Park and 

City) is not interpreted at all. A Project 

Management Information System (PMIS) 

project has been submitted to develop, 

fabricate, and install new exhibits that will 

address all of the major park themes; be 

multi-sensory; be accessible; and include 

elements attractive to and effective with 

children. 

The “African Americans and the Hot 

Springs Baths” exhibit is located along one 

wall of the room where the orientation 

exhibits are positioned. The story is still 

relevant and connects to both the American 

Spa (Theme 1) and Park and City (Theme 

4) by presenting through narrative and oral 

histories the story of local African American 

bath attendants. Because the story is still 

relevant and represents a little known aspect 

of Hot Springs history, providing universal 

access to the story is important. Both the 

audio and video components need to meet 

the accessibility standards. 

The Zander machine exhibit is located near 

the gymnasium on the second floor. Text 

panels describe the exercise and therapeutic 

equipment that was used during the early 

part of the 20th century (Theme 2). The 

exhibit labels need to be replaced with text 

that utilizes the NPS wayside guidelines to 

provide interpretive context and readability. 

Creating a soundless video or animated 

video of someone using the machines would 

also help visitors to better understand the 

reasons why the equipment was important 

in the treatment of certain ailments, and 

why the people were willing to undergo 

intense pain and pressure during the 

treatment. 

Historic Furnishings 

The only location in the park with historic 

furnishings is the Fordyce Bathhouse. Historic furnishings help park visitors to see 

and understand what the building may 

have looked like to people that visited or 

lived there in the past. Setting the scene of 

the American Spa (Theme 2) includes the 

chairs that visitors use while resting on the 

Fordyce front porch. The existing porch 

chairs are not historically accurate. Different bathhouses used different style chairs. 

The Buckstaff had the Adirondack style that 

is now used at the Fordyce. These newer 

Fordyce porch chairs were a gift from 

30 I National Park Service 
 

The Hale Bathhouse was built in 

1892-93, replacing an earlier structure. The building underwent extensive renovations that eventually 

changed the facade from neo-Classical Revival to Mission Style. 

Unilever. The originals had cane bottoms 

and backs. Before changing to the historically accurate style, park staff will need to 

consider sturdiness and maintenance. 

ExPAND ExISTING PARTNERSHIPS 

Interpretive partnerships play a key role in 

the delivery of essential programs and can 

also provide opportunities for enhanced 

interpretive products and services. 

The Eastern National bookstore/sales outlet 

is located on the first floor of the Fordyce 

Bathhouse. The area is almost filled to 

capacity, which prevents the park from increasing the number of items and volume of 

sales. Adding apparel, including T-shirts and 

caps, is almost impossible at this time because of the limitations of the existing sales 

area. The storage area is located in a former 

bathhouse dressing room. Sales items must 

be stacked in cubicles that once were used 

by bathhouse guests. The earlier recommendation of moving the visitor center and 

bookstore to the Lamar Bathhouse would 

relieve many of these concerns. 

Sales items emphasize Theme 2: The 

American Spa because that is the most 

marketable of the themes. The Scope of 

Sales needs to be reviewed to ensure that 

all of the park’s primary themes are being 

supported by the sales items that are being 

offered. The sales items should provide an 

in-depth continuation of park stories and 

themes. 

The Volunteers-In-Parks program could 

be enhanced with more dedicated 

NPS supervision, enhanced VIP 

accommodations, and an increase in 

VIP funding. Greater outreach to those 

volunteers interested in this specific 

time in history could produce benefits in 

research and the availability of costumed 

interpretation. An effort to enhance and 

expand the participation of local volunteers 

would be beneficial as well. 

A well designed and effectively operated 

park volunteer program generally depends 

on establishing a full-time Volunteer 

Coordinator position. The primary role of 

the coordinator will be to secure resources 

to recruit, hire, and train new volunteers as 

well as to work with park staff to provide 

opportunities for volunteers to realize the 

benefits of their time and effort. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 31 
 

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

 

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

 

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

 

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

“Shelter House” by Mary Ann 

Blosser, Artist in Residence. 

Action Plan Over the Next Five to Seven Years
 

ACTIONS TO ADDRESS ORIENTATION, 

SIGNS, AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION 

•	 Create a Master Sign Plan and install signs

that identify the park as an NPS site and 

provide directions. 

•	 Provide updated, easy-to-find orientation

information on the park website. 

•	 Update bulletin cases in Gulpha Gorge

campground and picnic area to provide 

orientation and information. 

•	 Maintain “don’t deface” message on or

near Pagoda to decrease graffiti. 

ACTIONS TO ADDRESS AN INCREASE IN 

NEW TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES 

•	 Establish “Guide by Cell” tour system.

•	 Create a virtual tour with EAST Lab

partner school. (EAST is not a school 

name, it is the name of the nationwide 

program that started here in Arkansas.) 

•	 Create and load video and audio podcasts

including information and orientation to 

park, gymnasium program, and baths with 

EAST Lab partner school. 

•	 Develop new interactive opportunities

to help visitors learn about resources. 

Current webmaster is learning about new 

technologies, nurturing partnerships with 

EAST lab, and locating funding from 

grants and the friends group. 

•	 Develop and produce a 20-minute highdefinition orientation film in English and 

Spanish. 

•	 Film will be captioned and audio

described. 

•	 Upgrade auditorium to increase

accessibility and add high-definition 

equipment (PMIS 122855). 

•	 Create an audio tour of the historic

Fordyce Bathhouse, incorporating oral 

histories. 

ACTIONS TO ADDRESS EDUCATION 

•	 Implement December 2006 Education

Plan. 

•	 Continue implementing Children-Nature

Action Plan. 

•	 Create curriculum-based lesson plans and

a traveling trunk, as well as host a teacher 

workshop emphasizing local archeology 

and American Indians (PMIS 113956). 

•	 Establish Teacher-Ranger-Teacher

program. 

•	 Establish relationships with nearby

schools including the Math/Science/Arts 

residential school. 

•	 Identify connections between Physical

Education and Health/Recreation themes. 

•	 Investigate connections with upcoming

NASA projects. 

•	 Post lesson plans on Teaching with

Historic Places website. 

•	 Create e-trips and other distance learning

programs using Parks as Classroom 

funding. 

•	 Provide teacher workshops.

•	 Investigate a fee structure for longer,

specialized education programs that 

can help cover the cost of supplies and 

materials. Institute a “pay as you go” 

system to fund educational programs. 

ACTIONS TO ADDRESS PERSONAL SERVICES 

•	 Continue costumed interpretation and

make costumes more authentic. 

•	 Provide school group hikes and expand

public and group tours. 

•	 Create recreational hikes and walks along

the Grand Promenade linked to the 

Theme 2: American Spa sub-themes of 

wellness, health, and relaxation. 

32 I National Park Service 
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

 

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

•	 Continue to increase interpretive talks

and Junior Ranger programs. 

•	 Continue to increase roving at the Hot

Springs Mountain Tower and Pagoda 

during busy times. 

•	 Create programs about prescribed fire

and climate change, linking interpretation 

to the Heartland Network Inventory 

and Monitoring Program (Theme 3 – 

Ouachita Ecosystem). 

•	 Cohost local community band concerts.

ACTIONS TO ADDRESS INTERPRETIVE MEDIA 

Wayside Exhibits 

•	 Develop a Parkwide Wayside Exhibit

Proposal/plans. 

•	 Develop and Install Wayside Exhibits for

Grand Promenade (PMIS 72107). 

Exhibits 

•	 Design, Production, and Installation of

Exhibits (PMIS 141191). These would be 

new exhibits featuring all park themes so 

that visitors limited only to Bathhouse 

Row may learn about all of the park’s 

natural and cultural history. 

•	 Upgrade touchscreen exhibit “African

Americans and the Hot Springs Baths.” 

Initiate evaluation of the new exhibit 

upon completion of upgrade (PMIS 

152822). 

•	 Enhance Zander machine exhibit by

upgrading exhibit panels and adding 

video without sound that shows the use of 

the machines. 

•	 The Fordyce centennial will be celebrated

in 2015, so planning for new interactive 

and/or three-dimensional exhibits should 

begin as soon as possible. 

•	 Install exhibit cases and create exhibits

with artifacts in the Buckstaff, Quapaw, 

and Ozark Bathhouses if the buildings are 

secure and funding is available. 

Publications 

•	 Develop a “What to Do Here?” publication for mail-out and the website. 

Art Nouveau stained glass is found 

throughout the Fordyce Bathhouse. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 33 
	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

 

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

•	 Develop additional rack cards. •	 Utilize the non-profit status of the

Friends to apply for grants. 

•	 Develop a pre-site visit booklet for

schools. Eastern National 

•	 Print a new nature guide (Theme 3:

Community Relations Ouachita Ecosystem) publication as a 

•	 Continue to publish events on local civic sales item. 

calendars through local cable networks. 

•	 Review and update Scope of Sales to

•	 Continue to provide the newspaper with include all park primary themes. 

feature articles on topics of interest to the 

community. Begin this well before a sig­ •	 Use interpretive donations for:

nificant issue or change occurs to estab­ - Printing publications. 

lish rapport and credibility with residents. - Paid archival assistance. 

- Seasonal staff. 

•	 The cooperating association or Friends - Audiovisual media support. 

of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National 

Park, Inc., can place ads at nonprofit rates •	 Hire a full-time Eastern National

for special public events or programs. bookstore manager, contingent upon a 

significant increase in sales. 

•	 Post notices on local bulletin boards (e.g.,

at post office, library, and grocery stores). Volunteers 

•	 Provide interpretive training and site-

•	 Participate in local civic organizations specific training. 

and develop relationships with the city, 

county, and state leaders. •	 Evaluate, audit, and coach volunteers.

•	 Because Hot Springs is such a tourist des­ •	 Provide a range of volunteer

tination area, continue to conduct travel opportunities including roving, working 

agent familiarization tours. with collections, staffing the campground, 

and conducting research. 

•	 Continue naturalization ceremonies in the

park. •	 Diversify the types of recognition.

Museum Collections 

•	 Make collection more accessible to public, e.g., archives—microfiche, online, for 

visitor’s research. 

•	 Provide access to curatorial catalog on the

park website. 

ACTIONS TO ADDRESS PARTNERSHIPS 

Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs 

National Park, Inc. 

•	 Provide information and updates on

interpretive programs and activities for 

the Friends newsletter. 

•	 Identify projects for which the Friends

could provide funding. 

34 I National Park Service 
Research and Evaluation Needs
 

In order to fully accomplish many of the actions included in this plan, the park 

needs research on the following topics: 

Conduct a visitor services study to find out what visitors want to do. 

In order to fully accomplish the actions included in this plan, the park needs to 

evaluate several interpretive services and products including the following: 

Participate in Servicewide junior ranger booklet evaluation. 

Audit programs—use Interpretive Development Program online competency coaching and 

training. 

Develop comment cards for education lesson plans. 

Review front-end, formative, summative, and remedial evaluation information on Harpers 

Ferry Center website. 

Conduct front-end and formative evaluations of waysides. 

Early visitors enjoyed touring park 

roads in horse drawn carriages, 

which automobiles have since replaced. 

Evaluate circulation through exhibits and the exhibits themselves before and after new 

exhibits are installed. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 35 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staffing and Training Needs
 

Restore the Division of Interpretation and Cultural Resources to Fiscal Year 2005 staffing 

levels: With only four employees available, it is extremely difficult to staff the visitor center 

seven days a week, operate the bookstore, offer programs to the visiting public, and provide 

security for artifacts on display throughout the three-story building. Two permanent Park 

Guide positions and seasonal employees will help alleviate the situation, but a critical 

shortage still remains. 

During the Core Operations workshop, the park proposed a new organizational chart 

that recommends new interpretive positions. The proposed chart includes a GS-1710-11 

Education Specialist, a GS-170-11 Historian, two additional GS-025-9 Park Rangers, along 

with a GS-0090-6 Supervisory Park Guide and five additional GS-090-5 Park Guides. 

Hire a dedicated education specialist to reach students through in-class programs, teacher 

workshops, and hands-on training. 

Hire a historian to provide a link between cultural resources and interpretation, conduct 

historical research, and assist interpreters with historical programs. 

Superintendent 

GS-025-15 

-0000001 

Deputy Superintendent 

GS-025-014 

-000070 

Executive Asst 

GS-301-08 

Safety Manager 

GS-0018-11 

Business Manager 

GS-341-13 

-0000010 

Chief, Resources Mgt 

GS-401-13 

-000020 

Chief, Interpretation 

GS-025-13 

-0I0020 

Chief, LE Ranger 

GL-025-13 

0P41043 

Facility Manger 

GS-1640-13 

-0000010 

IT/Communication Spec 

GS-2210-11 

-000080 

Contract Specialist 

GS-1102-11 

-000050 

Fee/Permit Manager 

GS-1101-09 

Concessions/Leasing 

GS-1101-11 

HR Specialist 

GS-201-11 

-000030 

Budget Analyst 

GS-560-11 

-000020 

Purchasing/Property 

GS-1105-07 

VIP Coordinator 

GS-301-09 

Administrative Assistant 

GS-303-06 

-0000081 

HR Assistant 

GS-203-08 

0000070 

Program Mgt Assistant 

GS-303-06 

GIS Spec 

GS-193-11 

Biologist 

GS-401-11 

Geologist 

GS-1315-11 

Hydrologist 

GS-1315-11 

Ecologist/FMO 

GS-408-11 

Lands Surveyor 

GS-1373-11 

Biological Tech 

GS-404-07 

Historical Arch 

GS-808-11 

Exhibit Specialist 

GS-1010-11 

Archivist/Library 

GS-1420-11 

Curator 

GS-1015-11 

Museum Specialist 

GS-1016-09 

-0000012 

Museum Aid 

GS-1016-06 

Program Assistant 

GS-303-06 

-0000002 

Historian 

GS-170-11 

Park Ranger, I 

GS-025-09 

0I00070 

Park Ranger, I 

GS-025-09 

0I00090 

Park Ranger, I 

GS-025-09 

0I00110 

Education Specialist 

GS-1710-11 

Park Ranger, I 

GS-025-09 

Park Ragner, I 

GS-025-09 

Supv Park Guide 

GS-090-06 

Park Guide 

GS-090-05 

0002901 

Park Guide 

GS-090-05 

0002902 

Park Guide 

GS-090-05 

Park Guide 

GS-090-05 

Park Guide 

GS-090-05 

Park Guide 

GS-090-05 

Program Assistant 

GS-303-06 

LE Specialist 

GL-025-11 

LE Specialist 

GL-025-11 

Supv LE Ranger 

GL-025-11 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00420 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00400 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00370 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00150 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00450 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00410 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

0P00440 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

LE Park Ranger 

GL-025-09 

General Engineer 

GS-800-12 

Facility Oper Spcialist 

GS-1640-09 

Program Assistant 

GS-1603-07 

-0000011 

Utilities Systems Supv 

WS-5406-10 

-000200 

Landscape Arch/Supv 

GS-807-12 

Buildings Supv 

WS-4749-10 

-000490 

Electrician 

WG-2805-10 

-000310 

Maint. Mechanic 

WG-4749-10 

-000230 

Utility Sys Opr 

WG-5406-09 

Plumber 

WG-4206-09 

-000600 

HVAC Spec 

WG-5306-10 

Maint Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Maint Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Maint Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Eng Equip Opr 

WG-5716-08 

-000550 

Tractor Operator 

WG-5705-07 

-000640 

Tractor Operator 

WG-5705-07 

-000560 

Maint Worker 

WG-4749-05 

-009030 

Motor Veh Opr 

WG-5703-05 

-0000051 

Maint Worker Supv 

WS-4749-07 

-0000050 

Gardener 

WG-5003-06 

Gardener 

WG-5003-06 

Gardener 

WG-5003-06 

Maintenance Mechanic 

WG-4749-10 

-0000092 

Maintenance Mechanic 

WG-4749-10 

-0000600 

Maint Mechanic 

WG-4749-10 

Mason 

WG-3603-10 

Painter 

WG-4102-09 

Maintenance Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Maintenance Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Maintenance Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Maintenance Worker 

WG-4749-06 

Motor Veh Opr 

WG-5703-05 

0000091 

Laborer 

WG-3502-03 

-4400005 

Custodian 

WG-3566-04 

Custodian 

WG-3566-04 

Biological Tech 

GS-404-07 

Maint Worker ( Trash Truck) 

WG—4749-06 

-000670 

MVO – Trash Truck 

WG-5703-06 

-000510 

MVO – Trash Truck 

WG-5703-06 

36 I National Park Service 
	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

 

Implementation Plan
 

ANNUALLY 

•	 Incorporate the contributions of

African Americans, Native Americans, 

and women into the park’s programs. 

Multiple perspectives and points of view 

should be included in all programming. 

•	 Add accessibility improvements.

•	 Improve park programs using personal

services and modern technology. 

•	 Provide opportunities for permanent

staff to participate in local and national 

conferences as well as attend training 

opportunities as scheduling allows. 

•	 Initiate evaluation of all exhibits and

waysides upon completion of each 

project. 

•	 Offer seasonal training sessions for new

and returning interpreters. 

FISCAL YEAR 2009 

1. Increase New Technology Opportunities: 

a. Develop park tour program with 

Guide by Cell Program. (Friends group 

funding for initial two years). 

Topics for first year: Administration 

Building, Hot Springs National Park 

Visitor Center, Display Springs, Maurice 

Historic Springs Area, Hot Water 

Cascade, Grand Promenade, Bathhouse 

Row, North Mountain Overlook, Gulpha 

Gorge Campground and Amphitheater, 

First West Mountain Overlook, West 

Mountain Summit. 

b. Begin to place podcasts on park 


website.
 

Topics for first year: Welcome by Superintendent, Bathhouse Row Architecture, 

Grand Promenade, Oertel Trail system, 

Fordyce Bathhouse, Geology, Museum 

Collection, Water Collection and Distribution, Friends of Fordyce and Hot 

Springs National Park, Inc., Pagoda. 

2. Implement Education Plan 

a. Initiate Teacher Ranger Teacher 

program. Work with Fountain Lake High 

School in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Each 

teacher selected will create a park project, 

such as Lesson Plan, pre-site booklet, 

PowerPoint, etc., to benefit the park 

interpretive operation. Initiate evaluation 

of this program with both ranger and staff 

members. 

b. Continue the Children and Nature 

Plan for Action program. Add new 

programs with USFS Ouachita National 

Forest staff. Events will be held at Hot 

Springs National Park and local state 

parks, etc. 

c. Work with the survey team to 

incorporate interpretive programs on 

site during work dates (second year of 

parkwide survey). 

d. Complete printing of lesson plan 

on archeology. Initiate evaluation of 

various lesson plans and Junior Ranger 

programming. 

3. Develop joint programs with Natural 

Resource Program Manager to promote 

Heartland Network projects. Articles to 

be written for website: current topics/ 

issues at Hot Springs National Park. Also, 

publicize as needed any on-site natural 

resource surveys to be held in 2009 at 

park. 

4. Continue to improve recruitment of 

Centennial seasonal employees and 

develop and utilize their assistance. 

Seasonal employees will assist in the 

development of the Junior Ranger 

program, special events, and special living 

history topics. (Continue this hiring 

program through National Park Service 

anniversary. Hire returning seasonal 

employees whenever possible and offer 

www.parktraining.org interpretive 

training sessions each summer.) 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 37 
 

 

 

 

5. Attend Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial planning meetings in Little Rock, 

Arkansas. Continue to work with 

Arkansas parks. 

6. Begin replacement of missing or 

damaged Bathhouse Row information 

signs. This is in advance of actual 

comprehensive sign plan document. 

7. Additional PMIS statements need to be 

submitted for new interactive exhibits 

in the Fordyce Bathhouse. Update other 

PMIS statements already in system. 

FISCAL YEAR 2010 

1. Increase New Technology Opportunities: 

a. Conduct evaluation of Guide by Cell 

tour and add 12 additional Guide by 

Cell topics and/or update 2009 listings. 

b. Additional podcasts developed with 

EAST Lab students. 

2. Implement Education Plan 

a. Hire Education Specialist. Begin 

planning lesson plans and teacher 

workshops. Attend teacher conferences 

around state. Work with teachers in TRT 

program to create new lesson plans and 

publications for website (ongoing). Work 

on Children and Nature Plan for Action 

with USFS and state parks (ongoing). 

b. Archeological site survey in third 

year. Continue programs for students and 

teachers. Initiate placement of articles on 

park website. 

3. Natural Resource articles written on 

ongoing park natural resource surveys. 

4. Continue to attend Civil War meetings. 

Locate reenactor groups or guest speakers 

to identify availability/costs to present 

the “untold stories of Hot Springs and 

Arkansas” through programs at Hot 

Springs National Park from 2011 through 

2014. 

5. Develop a Comprehensive Sign Plan with 

sign plan specialists (PMIS 141171). 

6. Update Fordyce Bathhouse self-guided 

tour into booklet format. 

7. Create a Wayside Exhibit Proposal with 

Harpers Ferry Center staff 

FISCAL YEAR 2011 

1. As funded, begin and continue wayside 

exhibit development. 

a. Phase I: Bathhouse Row and Grand 

Promenade. Accessibility addressed in 

waysides. 

b. Phase II: Whittington Park, mountain 

overlooks, Gulpha Gorge. 

2. Evaluate, then upgrade touchscreen 

exhibit “African Americans and the 

Hot Springs Baths” (PMIS 152822). Also 

evaluate new exhibit upon completion of 

upgrade. 

3. Complete NPS Visitor Services Projects 

survey. 

4. Implement Education Plan. 

a. The park’s archeological survey 

begins fourth year. Develop and print 

a Junior Ranger Archeologist booklet as 

part of the five-year park archeological 

site survey. Offer teacher field trips. 

b. Education Specialist: to oversee 

Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program 

and activities (ongoing) and Heartland 

Network educational programs 

(ongoing). 

5. Implement Sign Plan (if planning 

document has been approved). 

38 I National Park Service 
 

 

 

 

 

FISCAL YEAR 2012 

Develop new exhibits plan for park visitor 

center/Bathhouse Row buildings. This plan 

will emphasize all six park interpretive 

themes; however, the central focus will be 

the thermal water story. 

Establish Fordyce Centennial Committee 

and begin quarterly meetings. 

Begin final year of parkwide archeological 

survey. Create a summary report for 

updating of park Junior Ranger archeologist 

booklet. 

Develop new park movie. 

Establish Fordyce Centennial commemorative items, both sale and free items, and have 

special sub-committee assignments. 

Civil War guest speakers during National 

Park Week. 

Establish National Park Service Centennial 

Committee for Hot Springs National Park 

(Can be held in conjunction with Fordyce 

Centennial Committee meetings). 

FISCAL YEAR 2013 

Park movie completed. 

Initiate new exhibits as funding is available. 

Host Arkansas Civil War traveling exhibits 

throughout year and guest speaker 

appearances. 

FISCAL YEAR 2014 

Complete final preparations for Fordyce 

Centennial (committee to meet monthly). 

The interpretive staff will work with 

Museum Specialist to develop historic park 

photo/postcard/artifacts centennial exhibits. 

Initiate new visitor center exhibits over the 

next few years. 

FISCAL YEAR 2015 

Fordyce Centennial events (spring and 

summer) Host traveling exhibits for NPS 

Centennial. 

Host guest speakers for National Park 

Week. 

Commemorative items available. 

Initiate update of Long-Range Interpretive 

Plan. 

FISCAL YEAR 2016 

NPS Centennial events. 

Commemorative items available for 

bookstore. 

National Park Week and August 25 special 

events. 

A Guide by Cell program 

will allow visitors to 

learn about Hot Springs 

Mountain, where the 

tower is located, while 

parked at the West 

Mountain overlook. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 39 
 

 

 

 

 

Planning Team
 

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARk 

Josie Fernandez, Superintendent 

Lisa Garvin, Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources 

Mardi Arce, Deputy Superintendent 

Dale Moss, Assistant Superintendent (retired) 

Diane East, Concessions and Leasing Specialist 

Tricia Horn, Executive Assistant 

Donna Ingle, Budget Specialist 

Stephen Rudd, Natural Resources Program Manager 

Leonard Lawson, Facility Manager 

Mitch Hunter, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor 

Sharon Shugart, Museum Specialist 

Joe Herron, Park Guide (transferred) 

Mark Blaeuer, Park Ranger 

Toni McDowell, Park Ranger 

Jeff Heitzman, Park Ranger 

Gail Sears, Interpretive Program Assistant 

Kathy Smith, Administrative Officer (retired) 

HARPERS FERRY CENTER 

Sam W. Vaughn, Associate Manager, Interpretive Planning 

Toni Dufficy, Interpretive Planner 

Katherine Brock, Interpretive Planner (transferred) 

MIDWEST REGION OFFICE 

Tom Richter, Chief, Interpretation and Education 

Bill Harlow, Chief and Historical Architect, Midwest Regional Office-Cultural Resources 

Division-Cultural Landscapes Program 

PARk PARTNERS 

Terri Reedy, Site Manager, Eastern National 

Mitch Aufderheide, architect, Taylor & Kempkes Architects 

JoAnne Doshier, 2008 Artist in Residence 

Bill Kincaid, Step-On Guide 

Deborah Phillips-Carroll, Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National Park, Inc. 

Jane Jones-Schulz, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission 

Jay S. Miller, Arkansas State Parks 

Kathey Roberts, Lakeside School District 

Brian Monson, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts 

Gloria King, Hot Springs School District 

Audrey Beres, NPS contractor 

Amanda Bryant, Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce 

OTHER NPS STAFF 

Laura Miller, Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources, Little Rock Central High 

School NHS 

Lea Baker, former Education Specialist, Little Rock Central High School NHS 

40 I National Park Service 
“Ozark Angles” by joAnne Doshier 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 41
 
42 I National Park Service 
 

 

 

 

Appendix A: Park Theme Matrix
 

THEME 1 – HOT SPRINGS THEME 2 – AMERICAN SPA THEME 3 – OUACHITA ECOSYSTEM 

Art Work (VC) 

Display Springs/Fountains (GP and BHR) 

Valley of Vapors (VC)
 

Dunbar-Hunter Expedition (EN)
 

Thermal Water Recharge Update (W)
 

Podcasts (W)
 

Guide by Cell
 

Discovering the Waters Tour (BHR)
 

Dunbar-Hunter Expedition 


Drinking the Water (BHR)
 

Junior Ranger Booklet (VC)
 

Geologic Excursion Tour Guide
 

(TR and EN) 

Unigrid Map & Guide (VC) 

Dunbar-Hunter Expedition Journals (EN) 

Tufa Terrace Trail (GP)
 

Ral Spring (GP)
 

Peak Trail (GP)
 

Open Springs (GP)
 

Dead Chief Trail (GP)
 

Follow the Water (W)
 

Dunbar-Hunter Expedition (TT and W)
 

Dunbar-Hunter Expedition 

ABBREVIATIONS 

W = Website 

TT = Traveling Trunk 

T = Trails 

VC = Visitor Center 

EN = Eastern National 

BHR= Bathhouse Row 

GP= Grand Promenade 

HST = Hot Springs Mountain Tower 

GG = Gulpha Gorge 

TR= Tour Road 

Q= Quapaw Bathhouse 

F= Fordyce Bathhouse 

FONT/COLOR kEY 

Art Work 

Exhibits 

Personal Services 

Living History 

Publications 

Historic Furnishings 

Waysides 

Education Materials 

Special Event 

Art Work (VC) 

African Americans and the Hot 

Springs Baths (VC) 

Touchable Exhibit (VC) 

Zander Equipment (F) 

Observation Deck Exhibit (HST) 

2nd floor Exhibits (VC) 

“Emily” (F) 

Valley of Vapors (VC)
 

Taking the Baths (VC)
 

Virtual Tour of Fordyce (W)
 

Oral Histories (W)
 

Oertel System of Graduated
 

Exercise (W) 

Zander Equipment (W) 

Podcasts (W) 

Guide by Cell 

Traditional Bath (B)
 

Modern Spa (Q)
 

Bath Attendant (F)
 

Physical Culture (F)
 

Guided Tour (F)
 

Insider’s Tour (BHR)
 

Architecture Tour (BHR)
 

Edwardian Christmas (F)
 

Self-guided tour (F)
 

Return of the Quapaw (Q)
 

African Americans and the Hot
 

Springs Baths (VC) 

Bathhouse Row News (VC) 

Junior Ranger Booklet (VC) 

Map and Guide (VC) 

Trail Guide (EN) 

Fordyce Booklet (EN) 

Buckstaff Booklet (EN) 

Ye Hot Springs Picture Book-1892 (EN) 

American Spa (EN) 

Ouachita Springs Region (EN) 

Hot Springs National Park Through 

the Years (EN) 

24 rooms of furnishings (F)
 

Bathhouse Row (BH)
 

Lamar Bathhouse (BH)
 

Buckstaff Bathhouse (BH)
 

Ozark Bathhouse (BH)
 

Quapaw Bathhouse (BH)
 

Fordyce Bathhouse (BH)
 

Maurice Bathhouse (BH)
 

Hale Bathhouse (BH)
 

Superior Bathhouse (BH)
 

Grand Promenade (GP)
 

Bathhouses (W)
 

African American Bath Attendants (W)
 

Volksmarch (T) 

Edwardian Christmas (F) 

Fordyce Centennial 

Buckstaff Centennial 

Art Work (VC)
 

Second-floor Exhibits (VC)
 

Observation Deck Exhibit (HST)
 

Prescribed Burn (W)
 

Guide by Cell
 

Wildflower Walk (T)
 

Geology Walk (GP)
 

Leave No Trace (GP and T)
 

Junior Ranger Program (GG)
 

Hot Springs Mountain Trails (T)
 

West Mountain Trails (T)
 

Geologic Excursion Tour Guide (TR)
 

Forest Community Monitoring (VC)
 

Amphibian Checklist (W)
 

Bird Checklist (W)
 

Moss Checklist (W)
 

Trail Guide (EN)
 

Heartland Network Research Reports (VC)
 

Dunbar-Hunter Expedition (TT and W)
 

Prescribed Burns (W)
 

Sun Talk (BHR) 

Astronomy Talk 

THEME 4 – PARk AND CITY 

City of Visitors (EN)
 

Guide by Cell
 

Negro Leagues at Hot Springs (VC)
 

Junior Ranger Booklet (VC)
 

Boiling Out at the Springs (EN)
 

Leo and Verne (EN)
 

Indian Folklore Atlas (EN)
 

THEME 5 – EARLY PEOPLES 

Second-floor Exhibits (VC) 

American Indians at Hot Springs NP (W) 

Guide by Cell 

Junior Ranger Archeology Booklet (VC) 

Didn’t All the Indians Come Here? (EN) 

Archeology Lesson Plan (W) 

THEME 6 – RESOURCE PROTECTION 

PIONEERS 

Guide by Cell 

Precedents for the Reservation (VC) 

HOSP Timeline (VC) 

Constitution Week 

NPS Centennial 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 43 

A-V 
	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	

Appendix B: Visitor Center Concept
 

The Lamar Bathhouse includes the Visitor 

Center, Eastern National bookstore, 

theater, and some park offices. The Fordyce 

Bathhouse becomes a fee-based museum, 

education facility, and exhibit area. 

Interpretive programming will be based 

at the Lamar. This action opens another 

bathhouse to the public. 

Charge a fee for adults over age 16 and 

make the Fordyce strictly a museum and 

education center. The Fordyce Bathhouse 

then provides an experience for visitors to 

learn about the American Spa (Theme 2). 

This recommendation provides additional 

space for living history demonstrations and 

educational programs. 

LAMAR BATHHOUSE 

Lobby 

Interpretive Elements: 

•	 Provide thermal water in fountain so

that visitors can experience the water 

immediately without having to seek it out. 

•	 Install historically accurate chairs in the

lobby to provide historic setting for the 

Lamar. 

•	 Combining the bookstore with the

information desk will free interpretive 

rangers to reach more visitors through 

guided walks and programs. 

•	 Original murals are cultural resources

that must be considered. Avoid hanging 

anything on the walls. 

•	 Place orientation and information

displays in side windows to provide 24/7 

access. 

•	 Install orientation devices including touch

models. 

•	 Create a tour departure point in lobby.

•	 Present evening programs in theater

during special events. 

Functional Considerations: 

•	 All visitor center functions will remain

downstairs, except for the cooperating 

association office and storage, which will 

be on the second floor. 

•	 Improve lighting in lobby. The lobby 

may be divided functionally into three 

areas: information desk, bookstore, 

lobby/evening programs. Track lights 

are possible solutions. Sustainability 

guidelines (energy conservation) and 

cultural resource conservation (e.g., light 

levels on wall murals) will need to be 

considered. 

•	 There is a need for additional electrical

outlets, especially to serve exhibits, 

programs, and programming flexibility. 

•	 Make front desk counter and front door

accessible. May need to remove (and 

preserve) the left-hand counter section 

to provide wheelchair access behind 

counter. Need a pad on floor behind 

counter for information/sales staff. 

•	 Maintain clear view of lobby from

front desk. Retain the overall openness 

of lobby, including view in and out of 

windows. 

•	 May need alterations for functionality

behind counter, including a telephone 

line, computer, intercom connected 

throughout building. 

•	 There may be noise issues in the lobby/

information area. Consider installing 

abatement strategies such as fabric on 

walls or ceilings (without impairing 

cultural resources). 

•	 Provide signs describing functions: Sales,

tickets, bookstore, register – “Ask a 

Ranger” rather than information. 

•	 Install outdoor orientation panels.

•	 Install a movable publications rack.

44 I National Park Service 
	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

•	 Install single message board on post.

•	 Set up a Junior Ranger table.

•	 Install A-V throughout the building; this

should include security cameras. 

•	 Ensure multi-functional use of lobby

space by putting exhibits and bookstore 

on wheels; keep them below the levels of 

murals. 

Theater 

•	 Locate on the south side of the building.

•	 Remove the wall recently installed.

•	 Install video projection from ceiling, drop

down screen, sound attenuation, and 

lighting. 

•	 Add additional door – cut through

outside wall if needed. 

•	 Space also should be functional for

periodic lectures, evening programs, and 

presentations. 

•	 Install portable seating – movable chairs.

•	 Make closet for A-V equipment inside

door. 

Exhibits 

•	 Use four rooms on left side of the

building. These are particularly well 

suited due to their location, arrangement, 

and size. One room may be used to show 

the “Taking the Baths” video. 

•	 Design, Production, and Installation of

Exhibits (PMIS 141191) – these would 

be new exhibits featuring all park themes 

so that visitors limited only to Bathhouse 

Row may learn about all of the park’s 

natural and cultural history. 

•	 Produce a talking touch model that 

includes touch-activated audio and video 

information about buildings. 

•	 Create temporary exhibit area.

•	 More electrical service needed.

•	 Put big messages and graphics in halls.

Second Floor 

•	 Set aside for park offices, conference

room, Eastern National office, and 


storage.
 

•	 Could put Artist in Residence artwork in

offices – not recommended for stairwell 

(not recommended for adaptive use). 

Collection Storage/Work Space 

•	 Create visible storage and curatorial space

in back rooms. The collection stored 

and displayed is particularly valuable in 

revealing aspects of the park story, and 

is distinct from and complementary to 

materials visible in the Fordyce. 

•	 Provide access for visitors to view

curatorial storage/curators at work. 

Design space to allow tours to be 

conducted through this area. 

•	 Temporary exhibit cases could be placed

in the area that would permit easy 

changing of artifacts and labels. 

•	 Create touchscreen exhibits of park

collection. 

Eastern National Bookstore 

•	 Larger sales area located in the lobby will

provide opportunities to increase and 

diversify the sales items offered. Scope of 

Sales would need to be reevaluated. 

•	 Ensure that sales fixtures do not cover

historic features including murals or 

interfere with circulation. 

•	 Make bookstore fixtures portable so that

they can be moved during special events. 

•	 Eastern National cash register will be

located at visitor center desk so that EN 

clerk and park staff will be able to share 

information/orientation/sales duties as 

well as provide coverage for breaks and 

lunches. 

Hot Springs National Park Long-Range Interpretive Plan I 45 
	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

The Lamar Bathhouse is at the south 

end of historic Bathhouse Row, next 

to the park Administration Building. 

Rest Rooms 

•	 Need to add restrooms perhaps across

the hall in janitor’s closet and the adjacent 

room; currently there are only two single 

toilets. 

Fordyce Bathhouse 

Fee Collection: 

•	 Sell tickets at front desk; need to conduct

a business analysis, including cost of fee 

collection and revenue projections. 

Interpretive Elements: 

•	 Create audio tours and distribute from

side office. 

•	 Use second-floor conference room for

living history demonstrations, artwork 

displays, and temporary exhibits. 

•	 Convert former EN/Theater space into

a classroom for education programs and 

scout groups. 

•	 Expand oral histories of African American

attendants; or perhaps just provide 

minor rehab to the exhibit. Must include 

captions, audio description and counter 

(PMIS 152822). 

Functional Considerations: 

•	 Will need minor rehabilitation, including

accessibility enhancements, throughout 

building. 

46 I National Park Service 
 

 

Water. That’s what attracts 

people to Hot Springs. 

People have used the hot 

springs here for more than two 

hundred years to treat illnesses 

and to relax. Both rich and 

poor came for the baths, and 

a town built up around the 

Hot Springs Reservation to 

accommodate them. Together 

nicknamed “The American 

Spa,” Hot Springs National 

Park today surrounds the 

north end of the city of Hot 

Springs, Arkansas. 

—hot springs national park website 

Right: The Weir & George burned in the great fire 

of 1878. 

Back cover: The Formal Entrance’s stone pylons 

link the Fordyce and the Maurice on Bathhouse 

Row (top). Visitors gather round a “ral pot” or “ral 

can” at the Arsenic Spring pavilion next to the first 

Arlington Hotel, circa 1870s (center, left). The 1832 

enabling legislation for Hot Springs Reservation 

marked the country’s first set-aside of hot springs 

and of a natural resource intended for public use 

(center). The Fordyce Bathhouse staff poses for 

a photograph in the early years of the business 

(center, right). Visitors “quaff the elixir” in 1906 

at what is today called the Maurice Historic Spring 

Area (bottom). 

Please reduce, reuse, and pass this publication along to other readers. 
National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Hot Springs National Park 

101 Reserve St. 

Hot Springs, AR 71901-1860 

501-624-2701 

www.nps.gov/hosp 

E x P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C ATM