Scotch Plains, NJ – Rivers & Roads is proud to support the revitalization of the historic Shady Rest Country Club through the development of marketing collateral, fundraising strategy, and conceptual design renderings. Working in close coordination with Barton Ross & Partners Architects (BRPA)—the lead firm on the project—Rivers & Roads was honored to contribute to this once-in-a-generation preservation effort.
As the first African American-owned and operated country club in the United States, Shady Rest is a vital landmark in the nation’s cultural history. With a legacy that spans sports, music, politics, and community life, the site remains a powerful symbol of Black excellence and self-determination in the early 20th century.
Rivers & Roads provided a range of complementary services designed to help bring the restoration vision into focus. These included the production of cohesive marketing materials and fundraising strategy, along with a series of visual renderings that reimagine key interior spaces of the Shady Rest clubhouse. Renderings include a conceptual restoration of the basement-level speakeasy—a historic gathering place for jazz luminaries such as Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie—as well as exhibit spaces dedicated to two of Shady Rest’s most iconic figures: John Shippen and Althea Gibson.
Shippen, widely considered the first American golf professional and the first African American to play in the U.S. Open, is a foundational figure in golf history. Gibson, the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam tennis title, broke color barriers in her sport and inspired generations of athletes to follow.
“We’re grateful to Barton Ross & Partners Architects and the Preserve Shady Rest Committee for inviting us to play a small role in this deeply meaningful project,” said Sam Shoge, Partner at Rivers & Roads. “Our hope is that the materials we’ve created can help generate enthusiasm, attract investment, and support the vision of bringing Shady Rest back to life for generations to come.”
The Shady Rest project reflects a growing national commitment to preserving and celebrating African American heritage sites. Rivers & Roads is proud to contribute to this effort by providing thoughtful, strategic support that helps connect communities to their past—and their future.
Read the Rivers & Roads-Designed Brochure
Are you working to preserve a historic place with a powerful story?
Rivers & Roads provides the strategic tools and creative assets that bring preservation projects to life. From fundraising collateral and visual renderings to stakeholder engagement and campaign planning, we help communities generate momentum and investment around the places that matter. Reach out to learn how we can support your preservation goals.
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