From the Preserve Shady Rest Committee

The Preserve Shady Rest Committee was established in June 2013 to preserve the clubhouse of the historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, the first African American golf and country club in the U.S. and the history of John Matthew Shippen, the first American-born, African American golf professional; both notable contributors to American and African American history. Although Shady Rest has undergone major alterations over time, significant original fabric and original configuration remain intact. The cost to restore this historic landmark building is significant and estimated at approximately 2.2 million dollars.

It is our mission to preserve and restore the historical significance of the Shady Rest Clubhouse at Scotch Hills Country Club; to submit to the National Register of Historic Places Nomination for review by the New Jersey Preservation Office to historically solidify Shady Rest’s landmark in history; to educate and present the rich history of Shady Rest and John Shippen, Jr.; and to create a multi-purpose center and museum to display memorabilia, photographs, artifacts, and oral stories of the Shady Rest and John Shippen, open to the public.

With the support of corporate, community-minded individuals like you, we will be able to bring this historic building to full restoration where it will be available to the public, the state and the nation. We hope that you will be able to support us in this significant restoration and appreciation of history.

Please Donate Online or send a check to:
Preserve the Shady Rest Committee
435 Hunter Avenue
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Thank you in advance for your support!

Why Donate?

Your donations will help future endeavors such as:

• Gain landmark status for the Shady Rest Golf Course and Country Club
• Restoration of the Clubhouse for community Multi-Purpose Center
• Establish a Community Learning Center
• Raise awareness of Mr. Shippen Jr.'s legacy and establish a Shady Rest Golf and Country Club/John M. Shippen, Jr. Museum
• Collect memorabilia, pictures and stories of the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club