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Liberty Hall Museum Inc

Liberty Hall Museum preserves and interprets the history of New Jersey's first governor, William Livingston. Through engaging programs and events, we connect the community to our rich heritage, fostering appreciation for our historical legacy.

In 1760, lawyer William Livingston sought out to build a country retirement home. &nbsp;He purchased 120 acres in a bucolic suburb called Elizabethtown (modern-day Union, NJ), just across the river from his New York home. &nbsp;For the next 12 years, Livingston developed the extensive grounds, gardens, orchards, and oversaw the building of a beautiful fourteen room Georgian-style home known as Liberty Hall. &nbsp;William Livingston would go on to become New Jersey&#39;s first elected governor, and a signer of the U.S. Constitution. William Livingston&#39;s niece, Susan (Livingston)[Kean] Niemcewicz purchased the home in 1811. &nbsp;The property continued to be the Kean household until 1995. &nbsp;During this time, the mansion expanded from Livingston&#39;s fourteen room colonial home into the exquisite 50-room Victorian mansion you see today. &nbsp;The museum houses collections of furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys, and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University chronicles more than 250 years of American and New Jersey history through the eyes of one family&#39;s household. Tours are about 1 hour long and are currently scheduled at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm from 11am-4pm, Wednesday-Sunday. &nbsp;All tickets must be pre-purchased at least 1 hours ahead of scheduled tour time. &nbsp;Max. Capacity for house tours are fourteen (14) visitors. Tickets are timed to help us manage our capacity restrictions. &nbsp;Please arrive as close to your reservation time as possible. &nbsp;If you are late for your reservation, entry will be permitted at the discretion of the museum staff. &nbsp;Please check in at the Visitor&#39;s Center, the Blue House.

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Fall breeze and autumn leaves!Bring your little one out for some colorful Fall &quot;leafy&quot; fun! &nbsp;From gathering leaves for a fun art project to using all our senses to explore the autumn season, to everyone&#39;s favorite fall activity, jump into a big pile of crunchy leaves! &nbsp;It is sure to be &quot;tree-mendous&quot; fun. Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Reservations required.

Toddler Time: Fall Edition... Autumn Fun!

Liberty Hall is extending its tour hours, just for members! For November, we want to do something a little bit different for Member Monday.The weather is getting colder and the evenings darker; cozy season has begun! &nbsp;So let&#39;s have a family-friendly evening together. &nbsp;We will do a fall craft, enjoy light refreshments, and share what we are thankful for this autumn! Reservations required. &nbsp;Members-only Not a member? Please click the Membership tab on our website, libertyhall.kean.edu, to learn how to become a member!

Member Monday: Cozy Member Night In

Step into Liberty Hall by candlelight for a guided ghost tour that weaves reported encounters and paranormal experiences. Move through rooms that have witnessed more than 250 years of change, and hear stories of the people who lived and worked here. Perhaps you will even come away with your own ghost stories! 🕯️👻 These tours have first‑hand accounts to spark curiosity about how the past lingers in the present. Reserve your spot to explore Liberty Hall&rsquo;s darker corners with our museum educators. &nbsp;Light refreshments will be served; space is limited and fills quickly, so make your reservations today!&nbsp;*Please note this is not an amusement park type of haunted house.Reservations are required.

Candlelit Ghost Tours

Celebrate autumn at Liberty Hall&rsquo;s Pumpkin Patch Day 🎃, a fall tradition for so many families! &nbsp;Enjoy a day filled with pumpkin picking, tractor rides, pumpkin carving and painting, crafts, games, food, vendors, and so much more fall fun!&nbsp;Reserve your spot and spend a fall day exploring how the season has changed the gardens and arboretum--perfect for picture taking! 🍂. Additional charge for pumpkins (cash appreciated).Lunch and snacks available for purchase. Reservations are suggested but walk-ins are welcome throughout the day!

Pumpkin Patch Day!

All historic house museums in Union County will be open with free admission this weekend! As we celebrate America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary, we will showcase the original 14 rooms of William Livingston&rsquo;s home.Have even more fun at Liberty Hall with our Liberty Learners 250th Family Fun Day series! Union County may not be the oldest county in New Jersey, but we have lots of history! &nbsp;Join us for some extra family fun on a Liberty Learners Adventure! Discover the battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms, and perhaps meet the ghost of Hannah Caldwell. Discover why Union County was and still is so important to New Jersey. Tours will be scheduled hourly. Recommended for all ages.

Four Centuries in a Weekend

Celebrating Governor William Livingston&rsquo;s Inauguration&hellip; 250 Years in the Making! Liberty Hall is celebrating the 250th anniversary of William Livingston&#39;s election as New Jersey&rsquo;s first governor! In honor of this significant milestone, we invite you to join us in celebrating the past by making a vital contribution to our exciting future. Event proceeds will support the preservation and sustainability of Liberty Hall and the Museum&#39;s community-focused programs for children and patrons of all ages. Experience the uniqueness of Liberty Hall in honor of this 250th anniversary. We offer our guests an opportunity to stroll the 12 acres of manicured grounds, including the formal garden, enjoy an assortment of specially prepared food selections, and celebrate Liberty Hall&rsquo;s unique history from a family home to a premier historical destination that has witnessed over 250 years of history. Governor and Liberty Hall Sponsors will have the opportunity to bid on the chance to have General George Washington or Governor William Livingston as a special guest at their table for the evening! Sponsors wishing to participate in the pre-event bidding opportunity should submit their bid and event RSVP by October 1. Bidding starts at a minimum of $1,000. This Inauguration Ball for Governor Livingston is an evening where patrons and their guests can indulge, enjoy, and take pride in the evolution of Liberty Hall over the past 250 years!

Inauguration Ball for Governor Livingston

This Giving Tuesday, Make History with Liberty Hall Museum! ❤️ As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of America&rsquo;s founding, we invite you to support Liberty Hall Museum, Inc. as we share more than 250 years of history and nature with our community. Your gift helps bring history to life through educational programs, guided tours, and public events that explore Liberty Hall&rsquo;s historic home, arboretum, and gardens. Together, we inspire visitors of all ages to discover how the world around them has changed over time and how the stories of our past continue to shape our future. Want to make an impact year-round? Consider becoming a monthly donor! Thank you for being part of our community and helping us preserve and share Liberty Hall&rsquo;s stories for generations to come.&nbsp;Give today and help make history!

This Giving Tuesday, Make History with Liberty Hall Museum! ❤️As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, we invite you to support Liberty Hall Museum, Inc. as we share more than 250 years of history and nature with our community.Your gift helps bring history to life through educational programs, guided tours, and public events that explore Liberty Hall’s historic home, arboretum, and gardens. Together, we inspire visitors of all ages to discover how the world around them has changed over time and how the stories of our past continue to shape our future.Want to make an impact year-round? Consider becoming a monthly donor!Thank you for being part of our community and helping us preserve and share Liberty Hall’s stories for generations to come. Give today and help make history!

Giving Tuesday: Make History with Liberty Hall Museum!

Apple pies, pumpkin pies&hellip; it&rsquo;s time to eat pies! 🖌️🥧 Join us at Liberty Hall Museum for Paint and Pies Night, a festive evening of creativity, delicious treats, and holiday fun! You&rsquo;ve heard of paint-and-sip events, but Paint and Pies Night takes it up a notch. You&rsquo;ll create your own painted masterpiece, enjoy a delicious pie tasting at our &ldquo;Pie Bar,&rdquo; and sip a glass or two of our signature drink of the evening.We&rsquo;ll also share fun, fascinating recipes from Liberty Hall&rsquo;s historic collection that you may want to add to your Thanksgiving dinner! Admission includes: Painting and craft materials, pie tasting, and refreshments.Please note: Attendees must be 21 years or older.Reservations are required by November 9, 2026. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

Paint and Pies Night!

Celebrate Juliette Gordon Low&rsquo;s birthday with a special Girl Scout Day at Liberty Hall Museum 🎉Celebrate Juliette&#39;s birthday and the country&#39;s 250th birthday by learning about our American Democracy! &nbsp;Explore how the state and federal governments work. &nbsp;Learn about famous Girl Scouts who have helped shape our country over the past 250 years. Discover how every girl can help make a difference and reach out to your own representatives to ask for change. &nbsp; This program will fulfill requirements for the Civics badges at all levels. &nbsp;After completing several badge requirements, enjoy some light birthday refreshments and learn about the other Girl Scout offerings at Liberty Hall. 🎀

Girl Scout Day: Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday Celebration

Settle in for a Cozy Afternoon Tea at Liberty Hall Museum 🫖✨ Back for the holiday season! In the grand tradition of Mary Alice (Barney) Kean, the last lady of the house, join us for an exquisite Afternoon Tea at Liberty Hall Museum, served every week in December. Our tremendously popular tea service features a sumptuous selection of scones, assorted pastries, traditional finger sandwiches, and fresh fruit. The afternoon concludes with an intimate, guided tour of the Museum, beautifully decorated for Christmas. We look forward to welcoming you for a festive afternoon of holiday charm and tradition! Reservations required.

Holiday Afternoon Tea

Build, decorate, and discover at our Gingerbread House Workshop 🍬.&nbsp;Candy canes, gumdrops, and peppermint sticks, oh my! &nbsp;Children get to build and decorate a unique gingerbread house, a perfect treat for the start of the holiday season.We provide all the materials,&nbsp;including lots of candy and icing, and you go home with a great gingerbread house creation to enjoy throughout the season! 🎄 Space is limited. Reservations required.

Gingerbread House Workshop

Build, decorate, and discover at our Gingerbread House Workshop 🍬.&nbsp;Candy canes, gumdrops, and peppermint sticks, oh my! &nbsp;Children get to build and decorate a unique gingerbread house, a perfect treat for the start of the holiday season.We provide all the materials including lots of candy and icing, and you go home with a great gingerbread house creation to enjoy throughout the season! 🎄 Reservations required.Space is limited.

Step back into Liberty Hall after hours for a special Member Monday tour that explores the &ldquo;Ghosts of Christmas Past&rdquo; in our 250-year-old home.&nbsp; Learn about the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories during the holiday season! Experience a mix of Liberty Hall&#39;s own ghost stories along with classic Victorian tales as we walk through some of the &quot;eeriest&quot; rooms in the mansion.Afterward, you can choose to stay for a special holiday lecture, Charles Dickens: The Man Who Saved Christmas, to learn more about Charles Dickens, the man who wrote arguably the most famous holiday ghost story, A Christmas Carol. &nbsp;This special holiday lecture will be led by Dr. Corey Abate, a dedicated educator who spent 29 years teaching all levels of English. 🎄👻 Reservations required. &nbsp;Members-only tour&nbsp;(please note 6:30pm start time)Not a member? Please click on the Membership tab on our website, <a fr-original-style="" href="//libertyhall.kean.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">libertyhall.kean.edu</a> , and see how you can become one! For more information on the lecture and to purchase your Liberty Hall Member discounted tickets, please click on the link below. <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/charles-dickens-the-man-who-saved-christmas-lecture" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/charles-dickens-the-man-who-saved-christmas-lecture</a>

Member Monday: Ghosts of Christmas Past Tour

Step into the world of Charles Dickens and join us as we gather together with a cup of coffee, tea, or a warm beverage for a cozy evening designed for literary enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone who loves the holiday season.🎄 This presentation details the unlikely circumstances of how Charles Dickens became the preeminent author of his time. &nbsp;Described as a &quot;Ghostly little book,&quot; A Christmas Carol&nbsp;draws attention to the brutal exploitation of London&#39;s poor, especially children, while managing to revive interest in the then-unpopular holiday of Christmas. &nbsp;Both heartwarming and haunting, A Christmas Carol did more than establish Dickens&#39;s legendary career-it single-handedly invented the Christmas season we celebrate today. This special holiday lecture will be led by Dr. Corey Abate, a dedicated educator who spent 29 years teaching all levels of English. Reserve your spot for an evening of history, literature, and lively discussion 📚. Reservations required. &nbsp;Light refreshments will be served. Please note: This event will start with a&nbsp;Members-only tour&nbsp;at 6:30pm.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/member-monday-ghosts-of-christmas-past-tour" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/member-monday-ghosts-of-christmas-past-tour</a> Not a member? Please click on the Membership tab on our website, libertyhall.kean.edu, and see how you can become one

Charles Dickens: The Man Who Saved Christmas Lecture

Candy Canes &amp; Cocktails 🎄🍸 Join us for a festive evening of cocktails, creativity, and holiday fun as you decorate your very own gingerbread house! Take a break from the holiday hustle, unwind with friends, and let your inner child run wild. We&rsquo;ll provide everything you need to create your dream gingerbread house, including gingerbread house, icing, and plenty of candy! Enjoy wine, beer, light snacks, and our signature cocktail of the evening while holiday music sets the mood. And don&rsquo;t forget to wear your best ugly Christmas sweater for a chance to win a prize! Space is limited, and reservations are required. We provide all gingerbread house decorating materials. We can&rsquo;t wait to celebrate the season with you at Liberty Hall Museum!

Candy Canes and Cocktails

Celebrate 250 years of holiday traditions at Liberty Hall Museum 🎉Celebrate America&#39;s 250th birthday with our 250th Family Fun Day series! &nbsp;The holidays are here! How did William Livingston celebrate Christmas? &nbsp;What did his children expect to find in their shoes from St. Nicholas? &nbsp;Join us for a Liberty Learners Adventure to explore the history of the holidays in the home. 🎄 Come curious and ready to explore history together. Reservations are suggested.

250th Family Fun Day: 250 Years of the Holidays

Breakfast with Santa at Liberty Hall Museum 🎅🎄 Enjoy a cozy day at Liberty Hall with Santa and a delicious hot breakfast! Naughty or nice, everyone is welcome for this festive holiday tradition. Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet, games, and holiday music as you soak up the Christmas spirit. And, of course, no visit would be complete without a chance to climb aboard Santa&rsquo;s sleigh and snap a memorable photo with the jolly old man himself! Reservations are required, and space is limited. Reserve your spot today for a magical holiday experience the whole family will love!

Breakfast with Santa

Baby, It&rsquo;s Cold Outside! ❄️⛄ Come cure your Winter Blues at Liberty Hall Museum with a morning of snowy fun! We&rsquo;ll play with snowflakes, build snowmen, and have a snowball or two! If Mother Nature cooperates, there may even be enough snow to make snow angels. When Jack Frost gives us a nip on the nose, we&rsquo;ll warm up with a cup of delicious hot cocoa and enjoy a snow-tastic morning together! Recommended for ages 2&ndash;4.&nbsp;Reservations are required.

Liberty Hall Museum Inc

Liberty Hall Museum Inc

Upcoming events

Events

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Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Paint and Pies Night!

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Girl Scout Day: Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday Celebration

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Giving Tuesday: Make History with Liberty Hall Museum!

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Upcoming events

Events

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Paint and Pies Night!

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Liberty Hall Museum Tour

Get your tickets

Girl Scout Day: Juliette Gordon Low's Birthday Celebration

More ways to support us

Donate now

Giving Tuesday: Make History with Liberty Hall Museum!

Powered by

Liberty Hall Museum Inc