by Lisa Schauer
When the Main Street America revitalization program began 40 years ago, a landscape of suburban shopping malls and big box stores had largely replaced small town America as retail destinations and gathering places.
Founded as a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the downtown revitalization program seemed like a long shot.
Today, Main Street America supports thousands of local, state, and regional organizations with accreditation, training, and strategic planning for community revitalization.
Fourteen municipalities in West Virginia are Main Street communities and 10 more, including Bath, are on track for accreditation, which brings an advantage to grant opportunities.
In April 2025, representatives from Main Street West Virginia presented a community report to Town of Bath officials.
Data in the report shows nearly one million people with a median household income of $100,000 live within a two-hour drive of the town.
Goals include drawing visitors and supporting local businesses while preserving the town’s historic character.
Recommendations include a study of current historical displays in town, some of which are deteriorated to the point that the information is not visible, according to the report.
Taking an inventory of available properties in Town of Bath and marketing those properties is another recommendation provided by Main Street West Virginia.
Installing banners, directional signs and an information kiosk in the park were also suggested by the Main Street group.
To achieve Main Street accreditation, the program must show sustainable funding, according to Breauna Farris, executive director of Town of Bath On Trac, formally Bath Development Authority.
“We’re actively working on setting goals and reaching them,” said Farris in an interview with The Morgan Messenger. 
This summer, interchangeable banners will be hung on approximately 20 decorative light poles in town. Flower pots will hang from the poles.
Upcoming Events
Events, including Bath250 Founding Flavors food truck festival, are planned year-round.
Ten food trucks offering a variety of cuisines will be at the food truck festival on Friday, May 29 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fairfax Street.
There will be live music, a bounce house, face painting, and festival favorites, including funnel cakes, barbecue, butterflied potatoes, lemonade, lobster rolls, mac ‘n cheese, and Thai food.
America’s most famous founding father, the real George Washington, did indeed bathe here.
But he would be familiar with few flavors at the Founding Flavors food truck festival, having preferred a simple diet of fish, poultry, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
Other events emerging as part of the OnTrac program include a July 4th Rubber Ducky Race being planned and the town’s annual Deck the Meters Christmas decorating effort.
The OnTrac program is also a sponsor of the town’s Fabulous Façade Program, meant to help property owners spruce up their street-side face to improve the downtown viewshed.
Anyone who would like more information about OnTrac can visit Town of Bath website. Volunteers are welcomed.
