Constructed in the late 1920s, the Roosevelt Warm Springs Pools are nationally significant for their association with President Roosevelt’s rehabilitation following his polio diagnosis. Fed by natural 88-degree springs long valued for their therapeutic properties, the pools played a central role in Roosevelt’s personal recovery and inspired the founding of the March of Dimes. They stand as a powerful symbol of healing, resilience, and leadership during the Great Depression. After decades of deterioration left the pools unable to hold water, a comprehensive rehabilitation stabilized the historic structures and returned them to functional and interpretive integrity. Guided by archival research, the project repaired historic materials, replicated original finishes, and carefully restored the spring-fed water system beneath the pools. Funded through a collaborative effort of state, federal, and private partners, the restoration renewed this nationally significant resource, enhancing the visitor experience, interpretation, and heritage tourism while ensuring its long-term preservation. 

Excellence in Rehabilitation Awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.