Message from Mayor Josh Losardo – October 30, 2026
For one wonderful evening last Saturday, Scotch Plains turned back the clock 250 years. Judging by the colonial attire, music, dancing and enthusiasm at our Colonial Ball, I'd say we looked pretty good for our age!
The ball, held at the historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club as part of our community's celebration of America's 250th anniversary, was a tremendous success. It was a delightful evening of history, friendship and community spirit, all in support of a very worthwhile cause: preserving three of Scotch Plains' most treasured historic landmarks.
The Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, the Osborn Cannonball House and the Frazee House each tell a different, but equally important, chapter of the American story.
Shady Rest, established in 1921 as the nation's first African American-owned and operated country club, became a gathering place for athletes, entertainers and families during an era when segregation denied African Americans access to many recreational facilities. Its history includes legendary golfer John Shippen Jr. and celebrated entertainers such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Osborn Cannonball House, built around 1750, reminds us that the American Revolution was fought not only in places we read about in textbooks, but right here in Scotch Plains. According to local tradition, the house earned its name when a cannonball struck it during the Battle of Short Hills in June 1777.
And the Frazee House is associated with one of our community's favorite Revolutionary War stories: the legendary encounter between Elizabeth "Aunt Betty" Frazee and British General Lord Cornwallis. When Cornwallis reportedly demanded bread, Aunt Betty obliged but made clear that she did so out of fear, not affection. Even in colonial times, apparently, Scotch Plains residents weren't shy about expressing their opinions!
While these properties represent different periods in our nation's history, they share something important: they remind us that American history didn't just happen in Philadelphia, Boston or Washington. It happened in rural farmland communities, a stagecoach ride away from more established places like Elizabeth and Newark.
What made the Colonial Ball particularly meaningful was the dedication of the people who work tirelessly to preserve our local history. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Preserve Shady Rest Committee, the Frazee House Foundation, the Scotch Plains Historical Society, our Revolution 250 Committee, and the many volunteers, organizers and supporters who helped make the evening such a success.
Their efforts extend far beyond a single celebration. Year after year, they care for these properties, preserve their legacies and share their stories with residents and visitors alike.
And thanks to everyone who attended the Colonial Ball, the evening also helped support the continued preservation of these important landmarks.
As we commemorate America's 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to reflect not only on the remarkable history we have inherited, but also on our responsibility to preserve it for those who come after us.
The buildings may be centuries old, but the stories they tell remain as relevant as ever, passed from one generation of Scotch Plains to the next.
Thank you to everyone who made the Colonial Ball such a memorable occasion. Together, we're ensuring that future generations will be able to appreciate the extraordinary history that makes Scotch Plains such a special place to call home.
And to everyone who joined us on the dance floor, thank you for proving that, even after 250 years, Scotch Plains still knows how to party like it's 1776!
