BACKGROUND
In the early 1800’s the Greenbrier Valley was noted for its healing
Sulphur springs. The Blue, Red, White, Salts and Pence and other
springs brought victors and commerce to the area. The Blue Sulphur
Springs spring house is the only surviving structure from the Blue
Sulphur Springs Resort, a 19th century mineral spa, and was built to
shelter the Sulphur springs of the resort. The spring house consists
of 12 columns holding up a square roof and is primarily built with
brick that is covered with masonry. It was built in 1834 along with
the resort and was added to the National Historical Register of
Historical Places on October 29,1992.
TOURISM
Tourism continues to be a vital part of our local economy bringing
in an estimated $181 million dollars in 20111. The Greenbrier Resort
at White Sulphur Springs is our largest employer and an example of
the lure of the springs. The spring house at Blue Sulphur Springs is
an icon in that area of Greenbrier County. Countless local citizens
and other remember drinking its waters and attending picnics on its
grounds.
STATUS
The spring house is now in severe disrepair. A stopped up drainage
system has resulted in water standing in the center and undermining
the foundation. One of the 12 Greek columns has slipped off center.
The foundation, the columns, the roof are in need of significant and
timely repair in order to restore the spring house. The facility has
stood for 170 years but those years have taken their toll. Please
see the pictures below that illustrate the deterioration.
A group of individuals known as the Friends of the Blue in
conjunction with the West Virginia Historic Preservation Office, the
Greenbrier County Commission, The Greenbrier Historical Society and
the Greenbrier Historic Landmarks Commission is undertaking a
project to bring about the full restoration of this wonderful
Greenbrier County historic treasure.
Request
It is requested that the Greenbrier County Commission support this
project and work with the partners above to bring about this
restoration. It is specifically requested that the Commission commit
$15, 000 to match a $35,000 or (a total $50,000) pre-development
grant from the State Historic Preservation office. This grant will
be used to study what is needed architecturally and from an
engineering perspective to restore the spring house and its
structural integrity. This study will develop bid documents and
renderings that will allow the Friends of the Blue to raise funds
from private sources to match public funds needed to restore the
facility.If you are
interested in assisting with any of these preservation projects;
contact:
Preservation Alliance of West Virginia at
info@pawv.org
Margaret Hambrick
mchwv44@gmail.com
Alex McLaughlin
alexarmac@aol.com
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