Thomas Whittle '24 Earns Eagle Scout Rank Through Historic Community Restoration Project

Far Hills alumni Thomas Whittle ’24 recently achieved one of scouting’s highest honors, earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout through an ambitious restoration project that preserved a cherished piece of local history.

A Cabin Built During the Great Depression

For his Eagle Scout project, Thomas led the refurbishment of the historic Peapack-Gladstone Scout Cabin in Liberty Park, a log-cabin-style structure built in 1934 during the Great Depression.

The Scout Cabin holds a unique place in both local and scouting history. It was constructed through the Civil Works Administration (CWA), a New Deal program created to provide jobs for millions of unemployed Americans during the winter of 1933–34. During its brief five-month existence, the CWA funded thousands of public works projects across the country—including roads, schools, playgrounds, airports, and, notably, one log cabin: the Peapack-Gladstone Scout Cabin.

Troop 57 Scoutmaster Harold Horton and county engineer Oscar Smith traveled to Washington, D.C., to secure approval and funding for the project. They received a $2,500 budget, and logs harvested from the borough-owned reservoir property in Chester, New Jersey, were used in the cabin’s construction. Work began on March 12, 1934, under the supervision of Thomas Howard. Following a parade through town, New Jersey Governor A. Harry Moore formally dedicated the cabin on June 9, 1934.

Believed to be the only Civil Works Administration project built specifically for the Boy Scouts, the cabin has served generations of community members for more than 90 years.

A Vision for Preservation

At just 13 years old and shortly after graduating from Far Hills, Thomas proposed restoring the aging building and coordinated every aspect of the project. He worked closely with borough officials, organized fundraising efforts, recruited volunteers, and managed the restoration from start to finish.

With the support of 57 volunteers contributing more than 300 hours of service, the project included extensive interior and exterior improvements. Volunteers repainted windows and doors, restored historic fixtures, repaired and refreshed gathering spaces, and completed numerous upgrades designed to preserve the cabin’s character while ensuring its continued use for future generations.

The effort not only protected an important community landmark but also strengthened its role as a gathering place for local residents. Excess funds raised during the project were donated to support landscaping and beautification efforts around the cabin, further enhancing the site for public use.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

The Scout Cabin served as the home of Troop 57 for more than five decades and later hosted the Lone Eagle Composite Squadron of the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. After years of limited use, Thomas’s restoration project helped breathe new life into the historic structure.

Today, the restored cabin once again serves as a vibrant venue for community events, celebrations, and local programs.

Thomas officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout in June 2024, joining a distinguished group of Scouts who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to their communities. Since 1912, more than two million Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank, representing only a small fraction of all Scouts nationwide.

Now a sophomore in high school, Thomas continues to exemplify the qualities that define Eagle Scouts—initiative, perseverance, leadership, and a dedication to making a lasting impact on the community around him.

We congratulate Thomas on this remarkable achievement and the lasting impact he has made on the Somerset Hills community. To learn more about Thomas' project, click here!

*Thumbnail picture credits to Thomas's Eagle Scout Project at https://yourwholehealthhub.knowewell.com/topics/39228/page/pictures