Historic landmarks play an integral role in preserving the legacy of the Black community. This is especially true if the site is the first of its kind or celebrates Black excellence and exploration. One of the most recent triumphs in documenting Black excellence has been making headlines. The National Park Service has designated a Black-owned country club as a historic landmark.
The New Historic Landmark
The newest historic landmark, acknowledged by the National Park Service, is the Shady Rest Country Club. It is located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. This club has an established historic significance, but this official recognition will make it an undeniably important site. Even though this country club has an intriguing history, it is still operating.
Shady Rest is a public course with picturesque views and much more. Visitors can enjoy the nine-hole golf course during their visit. Host a golf outing, take world-class golf lessons with the Golf Academy, or visit the Pro Shop. The nine-hole Shady Rest course has 2,247 yards of golf. There is also an 18-hole miniature golf course with scenic features including a waterfall, stepping ponds, and wandering streams.
The country club represents heritage, freedom, history, and athletic excellence. This club even has an organization dedicated to promoting its legacy–the Preserve Shady Rest Committee. One of the top priorities for Shady Rest is to preserve the clubhouse since it is the site of a rich history and heritage. Visitors can donate to support or attend some of the club’s initiatives. There are jazz performances and community educational events, and there will eventually be a museum and speakeasy with a restaurant.
The History Of The Black-Owned Country Club
The Shady Rest Golf Club was opened in 1921. It was the first African American Golf and Country Club in the United States. The Progressive Realty Company Inc.–a group of Black investors–purchased the Westfield Country Club and created the Shady Rest Country Club. This institution was a sanctuary site for African Americans who had no other comparable third place. The space offered people the opportunity to enjoy social gatherings, sports, and recreation, creating a stronger community.
Shady Rest Country Club has had esteemed guests including W.E.B DuBois, John Matthew Shippen Jr., and Billie Holiday. It was even listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book, the definitive travel guidebook for African Americans during Jim Crow. The Shady Rest Golf Club started with sports but became a cultural haven, so the historic landmark designation will help catalyze it into the spotlight.
