CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE THRU NUDISM IN AMERICA

KISSIMMEE, Florida – July 4, 2026, heralds in the 250^th anniversary of American Independence and also marks another milestone in independence — the 95^th anniversary of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), which has tirelessly and staunchly protected the freedoms and rights of those who participate in wholesome naturism.

Pursuit of accepted naturist living has been an uphill battle here in America. Early New England settlers — 16th century Puritans — were so afraid of nudity that they refrained from bathing. However, as the early colonial era gave way to a free and independent United States of America, “radical thinkers,” including Benjamin Franklin, publicly lauded the benefits of daily naked walks, or as they were called, “air baths,” as did naturalist/transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. Other nudists of note included President John Quincy Adams, who regularly swam nude in the Potomac. And years later was followed by future presidents Teddy Roosevelt who skinny dipped with foreign ambassadors and Lyndon Johnson who was joined by conservative Barry Goldwater and the Reverend Billy Graham in the White House pool. All doing as did Mark Twain’s much beloved fictional characters of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn who skinny dipped with joy and abandon.

But back to the history of AANR:  Kurt Barthel, acknowledged as the founder of American nudism, was acquainted with other German nudists here in the U.S. late in the 1920s and allowed his name to be used as a local New York contact. On Labor Day of 1929, Kurt led a small group of individuals to a picnic in the buff in the Hudson Mountains near Peekskill, New York. Thus, organized nude recreation in America was born with his dues-paying club, called the “American League for Physical Culture” (ALPC), the precursor to AANR.

After 95 years, nude recreation continues to reach new enthusiasts, as more people choose clothes-free and clothing optional Nakation vacations promoting personal freedom, relaxation, body acceptance and respect for others. To find an AANR-affiliated club, resort, or campground to Nakation in this year just click: https://www.aanr.com/club-locator/.