Lincoln Bathhouse Reopens as Saratoga Spa State Park’s New Gateway
Lincoln Bathhouse to join New York’s iconic landmarks in commemorating notable events
Brand new museum focusing on Saratoga’s Hydrotherapy Opens
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today reopened the Lincoln Bathhouse after multimillion-dollar renovation projects inside and out. Following the upgrades, the Lincoln Bathhouse now hosts the Saratoga Spa State Park offices and a new museum focused on the cultural history of the mineral spring waters. The Lincoln Bathhouse will now serve as an enhanced gateway to Spa Park, which welcomes over four million visitors annually, making it one of the five most visited parks in the New York State Park system.
OPRHP Commissioner Kathy Moser said, "For generations, people have come to Saratoga for its mineral waters, natural beauty, and the opportunity to relax and renew – and they still come for those same reasons today. A new Saratoga Museum of Hydrotherapy exhibit celebrates that remarkable history, while the renovated Lincoln Bathhouse creates a more welcoming and accessible gateway for the millions of people who visit Saratoga Spa State Park each year. These improvements honor the extraordinary legacy of this National Historic Landmark while ensuring it continues to serve and inspire visitors for generations to come.”
This multi-phased effort includes a $4.4 million project to upgrade accessibility, parking and site circulation around the Lincoln, including the planting of 122 native trees. An additional $2.5 million interior rehabilitation supported the relocation of the park office and gift store from 19 Roosevelt Drive to the Lincoln Bathhouse located at 65 South Broadway.
The relocation creates an enhanced visitor gateway to Spa Park and provides greater park office visibility at the park’s primary entrance. The park will continue to staff the information desk at the former park office on the Roosevelt Campus, and OPRHP’s Saratoga/Capital District Region headquarters will remain at the Administration Building at 19 Roosevelt Drive.
The Lincoln Bathhouse’s new historical exhibit, The Saratoga Museum of Hydrotherapy, explores the history of the region’s mineral waters and their role in Saratoga Spa State Park’s development as a center for health and wellness. Located in an original wing of the bathhouse, the museum showcases many of the methods and devices that were used for hydrotherapy and other wellness practices during the height of the Spa. This includes a 1930s General Electric X-ray machine, physical therapy equipment, mineral water treatment systems, and ceramic bathing tubs.
The museum will begin with a special preview period and will be open to the public on a limited schedule from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays beginning October 10 and 11 – NY's Path Through History Weekend. Guided tours will be available at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. This preview period will allow staff to refine interpretation and operations while gathering public feedback.
New York State Chief Disability Officer Kim Ridley said, "The reopening of the Lincoln Bathhouse is an inspiring demonstration of how we can honor New York's historic treasures while ensuring they are modern, welcoming, and accessible to everyone. From new accessible paths and parking to the inclusive courtyard playground at the Children’s Museum, this project reflects our unwavering commitment to making Saratoga Spa State Park an open, barrier-free gateway for all New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy."
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, “Making public spaces accessible for New Yorkers with disabilities reflects Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that people can fully participate in community life. The upgrades and safety enhancements at the Lincoln Bathhouse will give more people with developmental and other disabilities the chance to enjoy the healing properties of Saratoga’s natural springs and experience this beloved local treasure in a way that meets their needs.”
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said, “The renovation of Saratoga’s historic Lincoln Bathhouse and the opening of the Hydrotherapy Museum are an exciting way to honor our past while welcoming the future. I’m grateful for this investment in our State Park. Historic tourism and the health benefits of hydrotherapy have both grown significantly. And, I am certain that the effort to preserve and promote Saratoga’s history, especially its natural mineral waters, will help enhance the well-being of park visitors, area residents and our local economy overall.”
Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Phil Barrett said, “Saratoga Spa State Park is a true gem for both visitors and residents alike. We’re excited for everyone to experience the newly renovated Lincoln Bathhouse and its new museum featuring the rich cultural history of our mineral springs, which for centuries have attracted visitors from near and far to Saratoga County. Thank you to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for their investment in preserving and celebrating an important piece of Saratoga County’s heritage.”
The exterior site improvements include:
- New paths, sidewalks, crossings, curb cuts, ramps and drop off areas to improve accessibility, circulation, pedestrian safety and connections
- New landscaping, site lighting, bicycle racks, benches and orientation signage
- Expanded accessible parking lots for visitors, park employees and tenants
- New electrical system with EV chargers
- Newly separated entrances for visitors, park staff and NYS Park Police
- Improved entrance to the Children’s Museum at Saratoga
- New plantings of native trees
Interior improvements include:
- Visitor Welcome Hall with park gift store, wayfinding and amenity information
- The new Saratoga Hydrotherapy Museum exploring the history of Saratoga’s mineral spring waters
- Improved park offices and multi-purpose meeting rooms
- New HVAC equipment, sprinkler system, structural upgrades
The Lincoln Bathhouse will join other New York State landmarks such as Niagara Falls and, the Empire State Building to be illuminated with different colors for holidays, commemorations and special events.
The original Lincoln Bathhouse was built in 1915 offering mineral spring baths to patrons, before being destroyed by fire in 1927. The current building opened in 1930 and today houses the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, the regional headquarters of New York State Park Police, and the New York State Court of Claims. The park office relocation and opening of the museum mark the first time the Bathhouse has been fully operational for decades, with the building now fully ADA accessible
The Children’s Museum relocated from downtown Saratoga Springs in 2022 and welcomes 79,000 annual visitors to Spa Park year-round. In collaboration with OPRHP, the Museum added an inclusive interior courtyard playground in June 2025, which features elements that support children of all abilities. The weekly Spa City Farmers’ Market also operates inside the Lincoln Bathhouse November through April.
These latest projects complement a series of infrastructure and recreational upgrades at Saratoga Spa State Park including a recent $3.6 million renovation of the Kiddie Pool area at the Peerless Pool Complex and the $12 million renovation of the Spa Little Theater, which is anticipated to reopen later this year. These investments ensure Saratoga Spa State Park is strengthened and modernized for the 21st century.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visits annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
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