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BATH HOTEL EXPANDED TIMELINE

The Bath Hotel, an imposing cut stone structure, is located just south of Charlestown, Nevis’ capital, and was built around 1800. In its heyday, it was an elegant hotel that served as a playground for the wealthy planters of Nevis and the entire Caribbean, who flocked to its therapeutic hot spring waters. The Bath Hotel is among the December 2022 Historic preservation is back in focus with our recent grant from the U.S. Department of State's global Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) programme for the urgent conservation and stabilisation of Nevis’ iconic Bath Hotel Prestigious Grant for the Conservation of Bath Hotel 2 few non-military, non-estate, and non-government structures in the Caribbean, noted for its remarkable scale, design, and setting. The hotel was constructed over the site of the island’s largest volcanic hot springs, which contain minerals of medicinal value. The thermal springs are unique in that they have been continuously used from Amerindian times to the present, and even more so in that they are a place of memory associated with the adaption and survival of enslaved Africans. The urgent conservation and eventual rehabilitation of the site will expand the use of the Bath Hotel and hot springs so that they may continue to be used and enjoyed by the community and visitors alike. 

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1607

Captain John Smith & the Landing of Virginia Settlers

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1716

Rev Smith, Rector of church recounts bathing in the natural springs

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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1783

Anti-Slavery Movement Spreads

By 1783, the anti-slavery movement is underway throughout the British Empire. In 1787 the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade is established.

1787

John Huggins become owner 

John Huggins becomes the owner of the structure now know as the Bath Hotel.

1824

John Huggins dies

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1825

The Bath House is Built

On August 1st, 1834 Britain passes the Slavery Abolition Act, outlawing owning, buying, and selling humans as property throughout its colonies around the world.

1834

EMANCIPATION
African Slave Trade Terminated in British Empire

On Nevis 8,815 slaves and 19,780 were fully freed after an imposed "apprenticeship" period of 4 years by the British Empire

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1835

Grace Huggins Dies

On Nevis 8,815 slaves and 19,780 were fully freed after an imposed "apprenticeship" period of 4 years by the British Empire

1836-1838

Drought in Nevis

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1861

William Codd Purchases Bath Hotel on Dec. 6th

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1870

Bath House Closed

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1909

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Restoration Attempted

Gillespie & Company of London first restoration attempt added balconies to the Bath Hotel.

Gillespie & Company of London first restoration attempt added balconies to the Bath Hotel.

1910

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Hotel Reopened
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1914-1918

British West India Regiment Housed

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Bath House Becomes Camp for the West India Regiment

1941-1945

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1950

Earthquake in Nevis

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1951

Mr. Barber Leases Land Around Bath Hotel

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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1983

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St. Kitts and Nevis declares its independence from Britain and becomes a Federation

1985

Independence Declared in St. Kitts & Nevis

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Gillespie & Steele Associates Conduct Study

1880s

Bath Hotel owned by Sir Thomas Graham Briggs

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Bath House Mentioned to be in Ruins

1893

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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1952

1952

Bath Stream Case

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Norman Fowler Purchases the Bath Hotel

1968

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

2004

Headquarters of the Nevis Island Administration

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

200_?

NIA Headquarters Moves and Building Left Empty

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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1990

Police Station & Magistrates Court Moved into Bath Hotel

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Colin Mitchell / Spencer Brand Proposal

2001

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

2023 - PRESENT

REOPENS

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

PRESENT

Captain John Smith & the Landing of Virginia Settlers

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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2019

Fire Engulfs Building on Site

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

Grant from US Embassy in Barbados Allows for Major Restoration of Site

2022

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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1837

Charlestown Fire 

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1838

Four Year "Apprenticeship" Period for All Slaves Ended

On Nevis 8,815 slaves and 19,780 were fully freed after an imposed "apprenticeship" period of 4 years by the British Empire

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1843

Earthquake in Nevis

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

1859

The Bath Hotel is Put Up for Sale

Captain John Smith while on route from England to to form the Colony of Virginia visits Nevis where he bathes in the Bath Stream 

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