The Roman Bath in New York: Public Bathing, the Pursuit of Pleasure, and Monumental Delight

During the Progressive Era (ca. 1890–1920), American cities aspiring to urban sophistication admired and often appropriated the architectural grandeur of Roman baths, and New York was no exception. In ancient Rome, the massive structures that housed thethermae(hot springs or baths) reflected the importance of public bathing throughout the empire. At the same time, they met several other municipal aims: They integrated impressive design and complex engineering, won praise for their founding emperors and aristocratic sponsors, and gained cultural preeminence for the cities in which they were built.¹ In addition, they celebrated the empire’s prosperity and were accessible