Shady Rest Golf and Country Club Circa 1921

The core volunteers of residents, community activists, and civic leaders who comprise the Preserve Shady Rest Committee (PSRC) have worked collectively and tirelessly since 2013, when the organization was founded to sustain the integrity of Shady Rest’s cultural heritage.  

At its peak, the country club hosted John Shippen, Jr., son of an enslaved Black person who was the first American-born professional golfer to play in the U.S. Open in 1896.  His fifth-place finish, amid an overall prolific life achievement including a thirty-five-year tenure as Shady Rest’s resident pro golfer, is just one of many stories PSRC hopes to capture through funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“This is essentially a planning grant to start identifying what is needed based on our goals.  It aims to lay the groundwork for a master plan to care for the buildings and the grounds and to establish an interpretation activities strategy.  That’s where the community history becomes so critical.  It has to start with the stories and experiences,” stated Michele Saliola, grant writer and member of PSRC. 

The importance of history and giving meaning to it holds monumental pride and symbolism for the Scotch Plains community.  For years, they have demonstrated appreciation and respect for the iconic edifice, which nearly faced demolition. However, fervent advocacy ensured the seriousness of the views and voices of New Jersey supporters who pushed for its valued attribute.  Saliola continued, “In 2021, it was a big turning point when the PSRC succeeded in getting the building listed in the National Register of Historic Places, so it became a local treasure that gained more prominence.”  

Its unprecedented past bears witness to the captivating memories that permeate the walls of the Shady Rest Clubhouse, which sits on a nine-hole golf course on Jerusalem Road.  Over a hundred years ago, Shady Rest served as the epicenter of Black society and affluence, attracting athletes and celebrities, including tennis great Althea Gibson and performers Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and more.  

But the spirit of neighborhood unity generated a positive sense of belonging from the ancestors and current residents who proudly recall the good ol’ days.  PSRC member and oral project historian Susan Hamlette-Mayers maintain family ties to the neighborhood today and feels fulfillment about nostalgic nuggets from relatives.

“This neighborhood was referred to as Jerseyland.  It was populated primarily by African Americans who arrived here from slavery in the late 1890s, and it was very neighborhood-friendly.  My Uncle Patrick told the story of how my grandmother used to send him down for the famous chicken sandwich.  The kitchen was open to anyone, even kids, who came through. They even helped on the greens. So having this world-renowned club in this community was rare.”

Restoring the Shady Rest Clubhouse to its originality will be arduous, but PSRC’s vision is of paramount determination.  Improvements to the exterior of the building were made ten years ago. Still, according to Tom Donatelli, Chairman of PSRC and Vice Chairman of Scotch Plains Recreation Commission, more work is required on nearly every level from the Grand Ballroom to the upstairs living quarters where Shippen resided.  But he and his team remain hopeful about the Clubhouse’s future progress. 

“We continue to create conditions where we can generate funding in our own way, whether through philanthropy or grants, to remove the stress from the Township and residents.  The more we can do to create awareness and get people with a desire to help, the more beneficial this will serve us all.”

He added, “Once our new master plan is implemented, we will be able to show the Township that we want to turn the building into a museum to showcase memorabilia and artifacts and still be able to utilize it the way it is utilized today.”

Continued outreach and increased engagement of interest in the Scotch Plains area and beyond are vital steps toward maximizing the ultimate goal of Shady Rest’s legacy and preservation. Individuals are encouraged to support public meetings and participate in surveys, interviews, and other forms of communication to realize PSRC’s efforts.  

For more information, log on to: preserveshadyrest.org