Kurt Barthel
Encyclopedia
Kurt Barthel is the father of the modern United States nudist movement. He began the American League for Physical Culture in 1929 with an ad, first in the leading German nudist magazines published in Berlin by Robert Laurer "Lichtland" (Light Land) and "Lachendes Leben" (Laughing Life), then later in a newspaper seeking like-minded folks. The first organized nudist outing was held on Labor Day 1929. There were seven people in attendance, three women and four men, all but one between the ages of 20 and 27. The first outing was held in the Hudson Highlands in upstate New York. The American League for Physical Culture was organized in the fall of 1929 and took part in the beginning of the American nudist movement. The members of the ALPC visited leased farms in Westchester County in the summer and participated in gymnastics in rented gymnasiums and pools in the city in winter.
About 1930 three members stepped out of the ALPC and formed their own groups, one of whom formed the American Gymnosophical Association
which shortly thereafter leased Rock Lodge Club
in Stockholm, New Jersey. The American Sunbathing Association — now called the American Association for Nude Recreation
(AANR) — was an outgrowth or spin off from ALPC.
Another who played a part in the United States nudist movement was Dr. Maurice Parmelee, who took part in the founding of the American Gymnosophical Association and published the 1927 book "The New Gymnosophy" in New York whose title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions. The first copies of the book were sold under the counter by a large reputable book seller in New York City.
Barthel founded America's first official nudist camp, Sky Farm in New Jersey
, in May, 1932 when nudists and nudism were not accepted at all by the American public, during the depression
. Sky Farm continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.
In a newspaper article it is stated that in 1933 the American League, having a post office box for a New York address, was buying a farm in New Jersey that had been visited and approved by the chief of police, but would not divulge its location and the American Gymnosophical Association, having an office in Manhattan, New York had leased land in the Catskills, New York and a 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) farm nearer to New York City. The American Gymnosophical Associates had substantial foundation at Rock Lodge. Rock Lodge Club
continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.
About 1930 three members stepped out of the ALPC and formed their own groups, one of whom formed the American Gymnosophical Association
American Gymnosophical Association
The American Gymnosophical Association was organized circa 1930 by Herman and Katherine Soshinski. It was one of 3 spin-off groups from the League for Physical Culture that had been organized by Kurt Barthel in 1929. Dr...
which shortly thereafter leased Rock Lodge Club
Rock Lodge Club
is a family-oriented nonprofit nudist club located on of privately-owned land in the New Jersey Highlands of Northern New Jersey, about from Manhattan, New York.Social nudism started at Rock Lodge in 1932...
in Stockholm, New Jersey. The American Sunbathing Association — now called the American Association for Nude Recreation
American Association for Nude Recreation
The American Association for Nude Recreation is a nudist organization in the United States. Founded in 1931, the organization advocates nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings. The AANR charters approximately 259 independent U.S. nudist resorts and parks...
(AANR) — was an outgrowth or spin off from ALPC.
Another who played a part in the United States nudist movement was Dr. Maurice Parmelee, who took part in the founding of the American Gymnosophical Association and published the 1927 book "The New Gymnosophy" in New York whose title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions. The first copies of the book were sold under the counter by a large reputable book seller in New York City.
Barthel founded America's first official nudist camp, Sky Farm in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, in May, 1932 when nudists and nudism were not accepted at all by the American public, during the depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Sky Farm continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.
In a newspaper article it is stated that in 1933 the American League, having a post office box for a New York address, was buying a farm in New Jersey that had been visited and approved by the chief of police, but would not divulge its location and the American Gymnosophical Association, having an office in Manhattan, New York had leased land in the Catskills, New York and a 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) farm nearer to New York City. The American Gymnosophical Associates had substantial foundation at Rock Lodge. Rock Lodge Club
Rock Lodge Club
is a family-oriented nonprofit nudist club located on of privately-owned land in the New Jersey Highlands of Northern New Jersey, about from Manhattan, New York.Social nudism started at Rock Lodge in 1932...
continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.
See also
- American Association for Nude RecreationAmerican Association for Nude RecreationThe American Association for Nude Recreation is a nudist organization in the United States. Founded in 1931, the organization advocates nudity and nude recreation in appropriate settings. The AANR charters approximately 259 independent U.S. nudist resorts and parks...
(AANR) - American Gymnosophical AssociationAmerican Gymnosophical AssociationThe American Gymnosophical Association was organized circa 1930 by Herman and Katherine Soshinski. It was one of 3 spin-off groups from the League for Physical Culture that had been organized by Kurt Barthel in 1929. Dr...
- Clothes free organizations
- List of public outdoor clothes free places
- NaturismNaturismNaturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism....
and Nudism - Public nudityPublic nudityPublic nudity or nude in public refers to nudity not in an entirely private context. It refers to a person appearing nude in a public place or to be seen from a public place. It also includes nudity in a semi-public place, where the general public is free to enter, such as a shopping mall...
- Skinny dippingSkinny dippingNude swimming, colloquially called skinny dipping, is a term used to describe swimming naked.-Etymology:The term skinny dip, first recorded in English in the 1950s, includes the somewhat archaic word skinny, known since 1573, meaning "having to do with skin", as it exposed the naked...
- The Naturist SocietyThe Naturist SocietyThe Naturist Society is a national naturist organization based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. It publishes a quarterly periodical called Nude & Natural which documents and coordinates naturist activities and provides information about issues related to naturism. The Naturist Society was established...