“They were made of stern stuff, fired with determination”

A history of nudism in Tennessee part 1: The beginning

Editor’s note: From its emergence in urban industrial hubs to its expansion to affluent coastal destinations—and the vast expanse in between—U.S. nudism has consistently sustained a rich tapestry of regional nuances. This three-part written history, the first of its kind to our knowledge, explores the under-appreciated realm of Tennessee nudism, and uncovers the pioneering figures and significant groups that have decisively influenced the national nudism narrative, shedding new light on an often-overlooked aspect of American social history. We hope you enjoy.

Wildwood Lodge as pictured in the April 1957 issue of Modern Sunbathing. Courtesy of the Nudist Research Library Consortium

The history of organized nudism and naturism in Tennessee began much earlier than one might imagine.  Nudists familiar with the state can likely identify Tennessee’s trio of lodges: Timberline Lodge (1964 to 2003), Rock Haven Lodge (1969 to present), and Cherokee Lodge (1993-2014).  But several nudist groups,…