The Osborn Cannonball Museum recently benefited from a number of donated items.  An antique Reed Pump Organ from the 1870’s-1890’s now proudly sits in the museum’s Victorian Room just waiting to be played for the assembled mannequin guests.  Joe & Elaine Rosa donated this beloved player organ when they recently moved from Scotch Plains.  While it is the museum’s largest recent acquisition, several other towns’ people have donated vintage and older items, which enrich our historical archives.

A land deed from the J. Ackerman estate to the Stouts fills in some missing data.  Larry Novak recently gave us old photos of Seeley Pond and other artifacts he collected in that area which further expands our knowledge base of this important area. Some vintage clothing donations join our unique and extensive wardrobe collection.  Leather gunpowder pouches from the mid-19th century will enchant our third graders when they tour.

Pictures of moving the Reed Pump Organ and a display of the other, smaller acquisitions will be shown at the monthly meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood on Tuesday evening October 22nd.

The Society is pleased to show these important items.  We very much appreciate and encourage donations that expand and illustrate our area’s history.

The meeting takes place at the Scotch Hills Country Club on Plainfield Avenue and Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains,  on Tuesday, October 22 at 8:00PM.  Fellowship and refreshments follow the meeting.  The meeting is free and open to everyone.

Contact Connie Klock at 908-232-9489 for further information or write to us.

Our newest Eagle Scout achieved scouting’s highest award by choosing to venerate a local historic building, the Osborn Cannonball Museum. The scout, Phillip Tice, has always been a history buff particularly enamored of his township’s museum. For a couple of years he has been writing short film scripts, acting in the high school Repertory Theatre and filming. So instead of doing the usual Eagle Scout projects, he chose one that fits him and is most unusual: a documentary film. Researching the Revolunary War and the Osborn home, he wrote an extraordinary documentary and went on to produce the entire matter by casting the actors, filming the action & editing the final product called “Osborn Cannonball House: Pictures of History” video.

Needless to say, this documentary film was a winner. He received his Eagle Scout award from Troop 33 June 1, 2013. This remarkable young man was only a sophomore in high school when he produced this video. The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood New Jersey is proud and honored to have Phillip come to our opening meeting on September 24th. He will talk about making his documentary and show it as well. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend this meeting and meet this unique and spacial young man, Phillip Tice.

The meeting takes place at the Scotch Hills Country Club on Plainfield Avenue and Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains,  on Tuesday, September 24 at 8:00PM.  Fellowship and refreshments follow the meeting.  The meeting is free and open to everyone.

Contact Connie Klock at 908-232-9489 for further information or write to us.

John Matthew Shippen, Jr.

The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood New Jersey presents a free movie night Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 7:30pm At the Scotch Hills country club (aka “Shady Rest”).

We will be showing the movie “A Place For Us” The movie shows the past history of the Scotch Hills country club and its connection to the first American born golf professional, John Shippen
who was head golf pro at Scotch Hills from 1931 until 1960. He also was the first African – American to compete in the U.S. Open in 1896. Also included in the movie is it’s connection to jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and many other great musicians of the era.

Come join us at the very site which this movie depicts as we work toward preserving its rich history.

The Historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club

Preserve the former Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, eligible for placement on the state and national register of historic places.

The Scotch Hills Country Club is located at 820 Jerusalem Rd., Scotch Plains , NJ 07076.  For more information, please contact us. Hope to see you there!