A Message from Mayor Greg Schene
Town of Bath, Berkeley Springs
Bath, West Virginia – To my distinguished counterparts in Bath, England, I send warm greetings from the mountains of West Virginia.
While an ocean may separate our communities, history has forever connected us. When our town was chartered in 1776, our founders looked to the world-famous spa heritage of Bath England for inspiration. Recognizing the remarkable healing qualities of our own 74.3-degree natural mineral springs, we proudly adopted your name.
Today, our official legal and historic identity remains the Town of Bath – a mountain legacy further recognized through our State of West Virginia trademark as “America’s First Spa Town.”
This shared connection was beautifully honored during a previous visit across the Atlantic – at the time, I was serving as a councilman for Bath, West Virginia. The First Lady and I continue to cherish the exceptional hospitality extended to us during our meeting and afternoon tea with former Mayor, and current Councillor Dine Romero.
During that visit, I was shown a magnificent, massive leather-bound ledger containing centuries of signatures from Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, historic Generals, world leaders and Winston Churchill among others. It was a breathtaking piece of global history. However, when the time came for me to sign, I was politely guided away from that legendary volume and handed a subsequent, visibly smaller, and distinctly less prestigious guestbook reserved specifically for visitors from the United States.
Now, I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but it did make me wonder if our British cousins are still just a bit sore about how things turned out in 1776!
In truth, a West Virginia Councilman crossing the ocean to share a friendly cup of tea and sign the “junior” guestbook is a far gentler way to bridge international waters than an audacious American general crossing the Delaware under the cover of darkness.
Having now stepped into my new role as Mayor of the Town of Bath, I wish to formally return the favor and introduce you to our legendary homespun West Virginia hospitality.
Please consider this a standing invitation to the 799th Mayor of Bath, Councillor Ruth Molloy, as well as Councillors Dine Romero and Ian Halsall, and the people of Bath, England, to cross the Atlantic to enjoy our charming town.
We look forward to showing off our historic Old Roman Bath House and the famous stone bath tub where General George Washington himself once soaked in the warm mineral waters coursing through the Berkeley Springs State Park.
Our doors will always be open to you. We are officially putting the kettle on. West Virginia is ready to welcome you home.
Warmest regards,
Mayor Greg Schene
Town of Bath, West Virginia
MEDIA CONTACT
Email: media@townofbathwv.gov
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