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Hot Springs National Parktable with dried botanical specimens mounted on paper, basket with nuts and turkey feather
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Hot Springs National Park
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Oral History Collection

In the early 1980's interpretive rangers of Hot Springs National Park began documenting the history of the bathhouses by recording oral accounts of some of the bathing attendants and other bathhouse employees. These were compiled as "The Bathhouse Employee Documentary Collection," which consists of the recorded interviews, transcribed texts, and pictures of the attendants. Interviews extended to other area historians and park employees. Below are links to the audio recordings and their text transcriptions. Please be patient while the audio files load.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Audrey Olds
Audio Interview
Transcribed Text
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black and white photo of Snook Wesson, a black man with gray hair dressed in a suit and tie.

Lewis "Snook" Wesson
Audio Interview
Transcribed Text

 
black and white photo of Rector's bathhouse, a small one story frame building near the edge of Hot Springs Creek  

Did You Know?
In May 1862, Arkansas Governor Henry Massie Rector moved the state government to his hotel and bathhouse located on Hot Springs Reservation, now Hot Springs National Park. That July, the government seat was moved further south to Old Washington for the remainder of the Civil War.

Last Updated: August 11, 2009 at 16:59 EST