American League for Physical Culture

The American League for Physical Culture (ALPC) was the first naturist organization in the United States. Started by Kurt Barthel December 5 1929. ¹ The organization sought to translate the principles of the German Free Body Culture to an American nudism movement. The (ALPC) birthed several offshoot organizations like the American Gymnosophical Association. One iteration of the (ALPC) later became the American Sunbathing Association, which later was renamed the American Association for Nude Recreation.

In 1932, the (ALPC), set up a nudist “summer camp” in the Liberty Corner section of Basking Ridge Families, local residents and those from nearby states spent their summers at ALPC camp which later became known as Sky Farm. Mothers and children like other families in the summer, resided at the camp full-time, while husbands arriving by train from New York City on weekends. ²