Movie on SP's 'Shady Rest,' First African-American Country Club, Screened Wednesday

On Wednesday night, the Scotch Plains Historical Society presents "A Place For Us" – a documentary on the town's "Shady Rest" Country Club, the first golf club for African-Americans in the country. 

The film will be screened at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Scotch Hills Country Club, where Shady Rest was and where its clubhouse building still stands today.

The film will tell the story of John Shippen, the first American-born African-American golf pro, and first African-American to compete in the U.S. Open in 1896. Shippen served as the head club pro from 1931 until 1960. 

Shady Rest's clubhouse was famous for its entertainment and featured performances from jazz and blues greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway. 

Preserving Shady Rest was the topic of discussion at Tuesday night's Scotch Plains council meeting. Check back for our report.