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RESTORATION &
STABILIZATION

Funding the restoration

In November 2022, the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown (Barbados) provided a grant to the Nevis Historical & Conservation Society for a project to conserve and stabilize the Bath Hotel in Nevis.  The grant is part of the U.S. State Department’s global Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).  The project, being carried out in partnership with the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Ministry of Tourism, has included engineering works – repairs to electrical wiring and plumbing – sealing of the roof, repairs to windows and doors by skilled carpenters, as well as the repointing of the stonework.  In 2024 the NHCS was again the recipient of a second AFCP grant to complete the restoration of this iconic monument.

 

The current urgent conservation and rehabilitation of the site will ultimately 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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BEFORE restoration

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fire damage to lower structure

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Phase 1 RESTORATION

This first phase of work addressed critical structural and safety concerns. It included essential engineering interventions, repairs to electrical wiring and plumbing, sealing of the roof, and the repair of windows and doors by skilled local carpenters. The historic stonework was carefully repointed, helping to stabilise the masonry while preserving its original character.

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Second middle floor replacing two rafters. Note heavy lignum vitae beam and majority of so
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phase II restoration

In 2024, NHCS was awarded a second AFCP grant to complete the restoration of this iconic monument. Again, working in partnership with the NIA Ministry of Tourism, the focus shifted from emergency stabilisation to making the building functional and usable. This second phase included the complete electrical rewiring of the hotel, extensive carpentry works, including the replacement of damaged floorboards and trim, as well as the whitewashing and painting of interior walls. Approximately 8,000 square feet of historic wooden flooring were sanded and refinished, along with the window and door trim, restoring these original elements while extending their lifespan. All plastered walls were carefully prepared and repainted, ensuring durability while maintaining the building’s historic appearance. Additional improvements supported the long-term use of the site. The concrete floors on the first floor and the top-floor balcony were redone to improve safety and resilience, and the roof on the second-floor shed was replaced to address longstanding water damage.

Throughout the restoration process, NHCS engaged a tourism development strategist to lead stakeholder engagement sessions, bringing together members of the local community, the Ministry of Tourism, and NHCS to discuss possible futures for the Bath Hotel. These conversations explored how the building could once again serve Nevis as a space for heritage, public engagement, and sustainable use.

Today, the Bath Hotel stands not only as a monument built by enslaved African craftsmen, whose skill is evident in its enduring stonework, but also as a living example of how careful conservation, international partnership, and community collaboration can secure a meaningful future for historic places.

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