Greetings and Happy Black History Month! I believe in sharing and celebrating the stories of black massage therapists, especially those in Arkansas that may otherwise be lost to history. We have a sacred obligation to honor the memory of trailblazing bodyworkers from times gone by. So join me as I recognize the contributions these individuals have made to my profession and venerate their names.
Most in the Natural State will look to Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row as the birth of massage and the spa industry in Arkansas. The medical director of the bathhouses began classes in 1910, which included physiology, hygiene, and first aid. There was also a written examination as well as "on the job training" work that was observed in the bathhouses. The Hot Springs National Park would issue a "license" to work as a "masseur"/"masseuse" (as was the professional terms used at the time - see my blog, "Masseur/Masseuse Vs. Massage Therapist" for more details). The Superintendent of the National Park would issue the license and approve of hiring at each bathhouse. The National Park would continue to issue "licenses" to practice massage even after Arkansas enacted the Massage Registration Act of 1951- at least until the 1970s. Arkansas Supreme Court determined that because the National Park is Federal property, the workers employed at the Bathhouses did not have to comply with the state law to obtain a license. Today, both operational bathhouses (the Buckstaff and the Quapaw) hire and employ state licensed therapists.
Bathhouses at the time were segregated by sex as well as race. "White bathhouses" would employ black bath attendants, but there were few bathhouses that catered to African American patrons. The following bathhouses were known to welcome black clientele:
The Independent Bathhouse (1890-1891), owned/operated by A.C. Page
The Crystal Bathhouse (1904-1913), the first built for African Americans, burned in 1913
The Pythian (1914-1974), owned by the Knights of Pythias, stood on the site of the Crystal, very successful until desegregation
The Woodmen of the Union Bathhouse (1922-1935), gave Black clients a choice between two bathhouses to visit
and The National Baptist Hotel & Sanitorium (1948-1983), which was the same building as the Woodmen.
At least one bathhouse boasted in their advertisements that they employed and welcomed whites only. This racial segregation lasted until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Until the 1980s, most African American bathhouse workers were employed as bath attendants; few were massage therapists (or masseurs/masseuses). Following desegregation, Black owned bathhouses declined in use and eventually closed entirely. Alroy Puckett, a manager for one of the Black owned bathhouses, remarked at closing that "it's a small price to pay for integration. If that is what's killing us [Black owned bathhouses], then let it go on."
And finally, to talk about the bodyworkers themselves. If they weren't the firsts, they were certainly pioneers in the profession.
James Truman is credited as the first Black masseur in Arkansas. He was trained and licensed by Hot Springs National Park and worked at the Arlington Hotel Bathhouse during the early 1920s (at least 1922)
Estella "Stella" Hughey is known as the first Black masseuse in Arkansas. She was trained and licensed by the Hot Springs National Park and worked at the Majestic Hotel Bathhouse in the mid-1920s (at lest 1926) Her husband,
Earl C. Hughey was also one of the first Black masseurs in Arkansas. He was trained and licensed by the Hot Springs National Park and began working at the Majestic in 1929.
Eugenia Payton is credited as the first Black massage practitioner to obtain formal training outside of Hot Springs. As the story goes, Eugenia reportedly wrote to the Superintendent of the Park to state her intention to attend formal training at the Kellberg Institute of Chicago, Illinois. She eventually gained a state massage license as well during the 1980s. She was married to,
Elbert Payton who also worked at the Bathhouses but it is uncertain the capacity in which he was employed (as a masseur or bath attendant, or both).
Emma Steward is credited as the first Black massage practitioner to attend an Arkansas Massage Therapy School (not the training provided by the National Park) with the Farmeres; Fred and Martha (who are widely agreed to be the first Arkansas School of Massage). Emma still remains a living resident of Hot Springs.
And finally, more recently, Marilyn Graham is NOT a massage therapist, but served as the executive director of the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy before it was abolished in 2015. Marilyn was possibly the first Black Executive Director for ASBMT.
There has been a rich history of African Americans overcoming adversity to become leaders in the profession, not just for people of color, but for all those that practice massage. There stories often go unspoken and forgotten. It is important to me to continue to keep sharing their stories and work toward a more equitable and diverse massage industry.
Accompanying Vlog:
Peace and Healing,
Kirby Clark Ellis, MTI, BCTMB
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