I was raised on a farm in northern Pennsylvania. When working the fields in the heat of summer, we always took a lunch break where my grandma brought lunch, and before eating lunch everyone working got naked and skinny dipped in the mud based pond - men, women, children, dogs, hired help, .... It was quite refreshing and I had never heard of nudism so I thought this behavior was quite normal until I went to college and found that no one that knew of had ever been skinny dipping and that that this type of behavior was only for nudists in nudist colonies. I am wondering if this was normal behavior on the farm or was my grandfather's farm the exception. This all happened in the 50's and 60's to my knowledge, but may have gone on for a long time before that.
I was not alive then, but I would suggest that this might be entirely common or unheard of based entirely on your cultural upbringing. Pennsylvania farmers, presumably your family has a strong German or Dutch background, I don’t find it too surprising that this sort of casual nudity was embraced.
Thanks Davey! Much credit goes to Carl Hild, who dug this up and has been working on this realm of nudist research more than anyone. There are a few articles that he has written that are coming.
Makes me wonder what writings inspired Messrs. MacFadden and Coryell. It seems that the deeper strata of the foundation for the practice could be (and were) easily lost in the backfill of time.
Amazing!!! So much to learn and appreciate. Fascinating.
What a great historical account of our beautiful lifestyle. How inspiring that it was so early in our history !
I was raised on a farm in northern Pennsylvania. When working the fields in the heat of summer, we always took a lunch break where my grandma brought lunch, and before eating lunch everyone working got naked and skinny dipped in the mud based pond - men, women, children, dogs, hired help, .... It was quite refreshing and I had never heard of nudism so I thought this behavior was quite normal until I went to college and found that no one that knew of had ever been skinny dipping and that that this type of behavior was only for nudists in nudist colonies. I am wondering if this was normal behavior on the farm or was my grandfather's farm the exception. This all happened in the 50's and 60's to my knowledge, but may have gone on for a long time before that.
I was not alive then, but I would suggest that this might be entirely common or unheard of based entirely on your cultural upbringing. Pennsylvania farmers, presumably your family has a strong German or Dutch background, I don’t find it too surprising that this sort of casual nudity was embraced.
Common Sense, indeed. Wonderful!
I guess it’s unclear whether he separated permanently from his wife when he moved to Missouri? Maybe I missed it.
Thanks for posting this article. I can’t wait to see the others. You know me. I love the early naturist things.
Thanks Davey! Much credit goes to Carl Hild, who dug this up and has been working on this realm of nudist research more than anyone. There are a few articles that he has written that are coming.
My compliments to Mr. Hild. He’s doing a great job.
Two of my favorite subjects: nudity and history. Fascinating.
A very fascinating article. Thank you for sharing with us. Jan&Gary
Makes me wonder what writings inspired Messrs. MacFadden and Coryell. It seems that the deeper strata of the foundation for the practice could be (and were) easily lost in the backfill of time.