From the Preserve Shady Rest Committee

The Preserve Shady Rest Committee was established in June 2013 to research and preserve the clubhouse of the historic Shady Rest Country Club; the first African American country club in the United States. Although Shady Rest has undergone major alterations over time, significant original fabric and original configuration remain intact. We aspire to create a multi-purpose center and a public, state-of-the-art museum that houses memorabilia, photographs, artifacts, and more. The cost to restore this historic landmark building is significant and estimated at over 5 million dollars.

The Shady Rest Country Club holds an important place for African American individuals as it brought together people, families, and communities to celebrate their own culture without the hardships of the outside world. We would like to recognize “A Place For Us” as an major symbol of joy for many African Americans.

With the support of corporate, community-minded individuals like you, we will be able to bring this historic building the light as a paramount destination for black history. A fully restored museum and community center that is open to public; where we can learn about the rich history of the Shady Rest; will shed light on the past and build for our future. We hope that you will be able to support us in this movement and appreciation of history.

Please Donate Online or Venmo @preserveshadyrest.
Donation By Check? Please mail the check to:

Preserve the Shady Rest Committee
P.O. Box 392
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Thank you in advance for your support!

Why Donate?

Your donations will help future endeavors such as:

• Raise awareness of the Shady Rest and John Shippen Jr.'s legacy as an important part of both black and American history.
• Development of the Shady Rest Museum & Learning Center.
• Collect memorabilia, pictures, and stories of the Shady Rest Country Club.
• Restoration of Shady Rest speakeasy and John Shippen Jr.’s bedroom.
• Raise awareness of the Shady Rest and John Shippen Jr.'s legacy.
• General restoration of the Shady Rest clubhouse.