Kurt Barthel (1884–1969) is the father of the modern United States nudist movement.
He began the American League for Physical Culture in 1929 with an ad, first in the leading German nudist magazines published in Berlin by Robert Laurer "Lichtland" (Light Land) and "Lachendes Leben" (Laughing Life), then later in a newspaper seeking like-minded folks.
The members of the ALPC visited leased farms in Westchester County in the summer and participated in gymnastics in rented gymnasiums and pools in the city in winter.
Another who played a part in the United States nudist movement was Dr. Maurice Parmelee, who took part in the founding of the American Gymnosophical Association and published the 1927 book The New Gymnosophy[3] in New York whose title was changed to Nudism In Modern Life in later editions.
Sky Farm continues to function as a member owned co-operative club.