July 28 …

The Shady Rest Country Club holds a singular place in American history as the first African-American golf and country club in the United States. It was formed as a deliberate and proud response to the pervasive racial exclusion of the Jim Crow era.

The Club was founded on July 28, 1921 when a group of African American investors in the Progressive Realty Corporation leased the Westfield Country Club. They purchased the property on September 21 of that same year and transformed it to pave the way for decades of sporting, musical, and social history that resonated far beyond its location in what is now Scotch Plains, NJ.

From its very beginning, Shady Rest was envisioned as more than just a recreational facility. It emerged as a vibrant cultural and social hub that provided African Americans with opportunities for leisure, community, and achievement during a time when such spaces were limited.

Prominent figures like Henry Willis Sr. and James Baker played crucial roles in creating an inclusive space for African Americans who had been excluded from whites-only country clubs. Previously farmland and a whites-only golf course, the property, under Black ownership, became a symbol of opportunity and enrichment. Shady Rest’s mission was ambitious, offering golf, tennis, horseback riding, skeet shooting, and social events within a welcoming environment that fostered a sense of belonging and pride.

John Matthew Shippen Jr. was one of the club’s most influential figures, arriving in 1931 as head golf professional and groundskeeper. A pioneer in his own right, Shippen was the first African American professional golfer and the first American golf professional to compete in a U.S. Open in the 1890s. His presence at the club for over three decades elevated its reputation and inspired generations of Black golfers.

Shady Rest also hosted the inaugural National Colored Golf Championship in 1925. This was an event that spurred the creation of the United Golfers Association and broadened competitive opportunities for Black golfers across the nation.

Beyond athletics, Shady Rest became a crucial cultural hub for African-American society from the 1920s through the 1950s. Its proximity to New York City attracted jazz and blues luminaries, with iconic performers like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughan, Cab Calloway, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday gracing its stage.

Intellectuals and activists such as W.E.B. Du Bois visited the club, facilitating discussions on civil rights and cultural progress. The tennis facilities attracted stars like Althea Gibson and Ora Washington, who developed their skills in an environment that championed excellence across various disciplines. Shady Rest was even featured in The Negro Motorist Green Book as a safe and welcoming destination for African-American travelers navigating a segregated nation.

Although the club transitioned to municipal ownership and racial integration in the mid-1960s, its legacy remains strong. Shady Rest has been recognized for its historical and cultural significance, earning listings on both the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail and National Registers of Historic Places, which affirm its impact on American sports, social life, and ethnic heritage.

In recent years, preservation efforts at Shady Rest have restored the clubhouse and celebrated its contributions through museum exhibits, community events, and educational programs.

The story of the Shady Rest Country Club is not just about a golf course. It embodies resilience, community building, and the relentless pursuit of dignity and inclusion in a society striving for greater equity.