I. Archives - Victorian/Edwardian Eras and Before

The archives for the 18th, 19th and early 20th century are divided by the nature of the documentation. In these archives you can read actual accounts by those witnessing mixed-gender "sea bathing" wherein boys and men would experience the invigorating waters of the sea, lake or river almost always completely nude while often being in the proximity, if not the immediate presence, of women and girls who typically would be dressed in the conservative garments dictated by the customs of their day. We recommend beginning by reading the sections we have provided from the well-researched treatise Recreation and the Sea as it gives an historical overview of this period backed by 87 factual references found in the footnotes.

You can also see period-current paintings, artistic renderings and vintage photos showing how during these times the clothing customs for bathing in the oceans and rivers when girls and boys of all ages played together were often that of the girls wearing dainty yet conservative gowns with their male playmates being completely naked.