The Legacy of Shady Rest
In the heart of Scotch Plains, New Jersey stands a symbol of freedom, heritage, history, and athletic excellence to the people of the United States.
As the nation's first African American-owned and operated country club, the course is enriched with history through each strand of grass the first professional golfer walked upon.
United by a Shared Reverence for the Past and a Vision for the Future
Our dedicated group of New Jersey residents and supporters has been the vanguard in protecting and promoting the club's rich legacy through the Preserve Shady Rest.
Our Current Initiatives
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Museum Preservation
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Education
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Shady Rest Stories
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Community Events
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Music Art Project
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Golf Academy
Museum and Speakeasy Preservation
The future of Shady Rest looks very bright. It includes a fully operated two-floor museum that showcases John Shippen’s bedroom, a UGA Hall of Fame, Shady Rest’s music and tennis history, and more. The plans will include a replica of the 1920s speakeasy Villa Casanova, which will include a fully functional restaurant. Well-qualified architect Barton Ross is creating a master plan for the development that will outline our plans.
Education Goals
Education is at the heart of Shady Rest’s mission. Through curated field trips, board of education partnerships, and on-site learning experiences, the club is becoming a living classroom for students of all ages. Local schools are invited to explore the legacy of John Shippen, the history of Black excellence in golf and tennis, and the cultural significance of Shady Rest through guided tours, hands-on activities, and storytelling. These programs are designed to spark curiosity, build pride, and connect young learners to a history that’s deeply rooted in their own communities.
Shady Rest Stories
Ever wonder if the walls could talk? At Shady Rest, they’d whisper stories of celebration through jazz-filled nights, a community of trailblazers, and a place to overcome cultural challenges. To capture those voices, we’re launching a new storytelling project that invites descendants of original members and longtime community figures to share their stories. These first-hand accounts and multigenerational memories will be the heartbeat of our museum and preservation efforts as it will ensure that the soul of Shady Rest is honored with accuracy and authenticity.
Community Events
Shady Rest hosts a vibrant calendar of community events that showcase history, culture, and community belonging. Highlights include live jazz nights that echo the rhythms of the past, wonderful firework displays, grand movie showings, and more. Guests have enjoyed mouthwatering food options, warm acoustics, and a family-friendly environment. These gatherings will not only honor Shady Rest’s legacy but ensure it remains a living, breathing part of the community.
Music Art Project
A spectacle of the many jazz musicians who graced Shady Rest members with their sounds, Victoria Stillman of Temple University has committed herself to hand-painting eleven portraits that express the musical magic at the Shady Rest.
Portraits of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, House Band, and more will create a 360-degree immersive experience within the Shady Rest ballroom that portrays the club's remarkable history.
Golf Academy
For many years, the John Shippen Memorial Golf Academy empowered hundreds of children to learn golf at Shady Rest Country Club. Partnered with the First Tee and golf professionals such as Lee Elder and Renee Powell provided priceless opportunities to learn golf through weekly instruction and special clinics. The scholarship program offered an opportunity into education for many golfers, including Isaiah Marseille, a NCAA Division I golfer at Drexel University.
While the John Shippen Memorial Golf Academy has ceased, Preserve Shady Rest, has embarked on a new revive of the golf academy. Alongside Jim Beatty Golf Ventures, this initiative will provide countless opportunities in golf and education for young children.
Support Our Mission
Preserve Shady Rest invites you to join us on a vital journey of excellence and celebration. Together, we can continue to honor the legacy, culture, and soul of this historical landmark while as its story remains a guiding light for years to come.