The history of naturism is a very interesting and colorful story. Take the fun quiz below to see how many facts you can “uncover” about the culture of “baring it all.” The answers are at the end of the quiz.

1. Which came first?

a. Wearing Clothing
b. Accessorizing

2. The use of clothing marks the beginning of civilization.

a. True
b. False

3. In what century did it become unacceptable for women to bare their breasts in public?

a. 14th Century
b. 17th Century
c. 18th Century

4. History notes that Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau both enjoyed daily nude walks. What term was used for these walks?

a. Air Baths
b. Nature Walks
c. Free Walking

5. The first public swimming pools in the United States were established in the mid-1800s. Were females allowed at these pools?

a. Yes
b. No

6. Immigrants and tourists from what country brought the naturist lifestyle to the United States?

a. France
b. Japan
c. Germany

7. What was the name of America’s oldest nudist group, established in 1929?

a. American League for Physical Culture
b. American Sunbathing Association
c. American Association for Nude Recreation

8. What was the name of the first permanent nudist community in the United States?

a. Nature’s Gate
b. Sky Farm
c. Bare Necessities

9. From the 1960s, what group do we associate with rejecting restrictions on the body?

a. American College Students
b. Greek Athletes
c. Hippies

10. What year was AANR mentioned in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for the largest number of people simultaneously skinny dipping?

a. 2009
b. 2005
c. 2011

Answers: 1., b. Accessorizing. Previous to clothing, animal skins, body painting, and jewelry were worn for decoration, magic, or prestige. 2., a. True. Clothing was not worn until people began migrating and associating with one another. 3., b. 17th Century. Before then, it was quite common in most cultures. 4., a. Air Baths. 5., b. No. The pools were opened for males only to deter them from bathing on the waterfront where women and passersby could see them. 6., c. Germany. 7., a. American League for Physical Culture, which later became the American Sunbathing Association and finally the American Association for Nude Recreation. 8., b. Sky Farm. 9., Hippies. 10., 2009.

By Kay Nauta