Liberty Hall Museum
Liberty Hall Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Welcome to Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University, home of New Jersey's first elected governor and signer of the Constitution, William Livingston. Built in 1772, on the eve of the American Revolution, Liberty Hall has been a silent witness to more than 200 years of American history. Over the last two centuries, the originally 14-room Georgian manor has grown into a 50-room Victorian-Italianate Mansion! The site houses extensive collections of antique furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. Liberty Hall has been home to Governors, U.S. Congressmen and Senators, entrepreneurs, and pioneering women with vision and strength. The stories of their lives, passed down from generation to generation, tell how this family met the challenges of a changing nation. Visit Liberty Hall Museum to discover the living past during house and garden tours, educational programs, special events, and lectures!
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
60 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Lisa C
Madison, NJ22 contributions
Mar 2023
Attended Third Wednesday night of the month event series , all of them have been so entertaining and interesting and FUN. Last night's murder mystery was excellent, the staff and volunteers did a great job. Libert hall was the best backdrop for this and drinks and snacks afterwards in carriage house made a finish for the evening. The grounds at night are absolutely beautiful. It's a step back in time and makes our history come alive.
Written March 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liberty Hall is one of the most intact historical homes I've ever visited. It was lived in continuously by the same important family from 1772 until 1995 and it is completely furnished with all their belongings, including antiques, family portraits, ceramics, books, toys and much more. It portrays over two hundred years of changing lifystyles in American. A must see!! A new historical site, opened last year. It contains an elegant 50 room mansion built in 1772 and over twenty acres of manicured grounds and gardens.
Written August 14, 2001
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TrailBlazer10179
Union, New Jersey1 contribution
While growing up in Union we were always taught about the important places, people and events that occured here during our nations history.
From The Battles of Connecticut Farms and the shooting of Hannah Caldwell to the first presidential inauguration. But Liberty Hall had always been a private farm and estate that was always a mystery. This past season I had the opportunity to see this hidden treasure and I was amazed! The living history of Liberty Hall is truly unique and this stately, ancestral home to New Jerseys first Governor William Livingston and the Kean family is a must see. They have wonderful programs throughout the year for families and school and scout groups centered around every period of american history and its traditions. We attended the Autumn Pumpkin Patch event and the wonderful candlit Christmas tours and cant wait till next season to attend an afternoon tea. Liberty Hall is a true American treasure and the Kean family has given all its visitors a wonderful gift.
From The Battles of Connecticut Farms and the shooting of Hannah Caldwell to the first presidential inauguration. But Liberty Hall had always been a private farm and estate that was always a mystery. This past season I had the opportunity to see this hidden treasure and I was amazed! The living history of Liberty Hall is truly unique and this stately, ancestral home to New Jerseys first Governor William Livingston and the Kean family is a must see. They have wonderful programs throughout the year for families and school and scout groups centered around every period of american history and its traditions. We attended the Autumn Pumpkin Patch event and the wonderful candlit Christmas tours and cant wait till next season to attend an afternoon tea. Liberty Hall is a true American treasure and the Kean family has given all its visitors a wonderful gift.
Written January 18, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom and Heather
Swedesboro, NJ840 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We expected to love this place. We entered the visitors center and found that there was not a whole lot to see and if we were dependent on the staff to point things out we would be waiting forever. One of our reasons for visiting this place is that it has a National Park Service Passport stamp at this location. When my husband was getting our boom ready to stamp he asked me a question. The young woman behind the counter rudely said, “Well he didn’t ask me so I’m not going to answer!” It was strange. Then she tried to insist stamping our book which is a serious no-no! I requested that she give him the stamp as she persisted to ignore us and move on to someone else.
After we stamped I noticed she gave so wine else a map and asked for one. She didn’t give us any infuriation s our what there is to see. Someone else eventually cane down to give us a house tour but the group was so big there were two guides.
One of my concerns when we got there was that the visitors center was far from the house. They had no way to get to the house without walking. Those two guides took off and flew up to the house leaving me and a few others behind. She proceeded to start the tour without us. This was the just of what occurred during the tour. She rushed through everything to keep people moving but when I couldn’t keep up she would snap at me for not staying with the group.
After the house tour I asked about the museum that was supposed to have fire engines in it. The first time I asked I was told to ask someone else. The second time I asked she agreed to meet us at the building and unlock the door but only because we asked. Why wouldn’t they mention it to everyone on the tour? It’s a small but beautiful collection of fire trucks and memorabilia.
All in all the place is beautiful, the staff leave a lot to be desired.
After we stamped I noticed she gave so wine else a map and asked for one. She didn’t give us any infuriation s our what there is to see. Someone else eventually cane down to give us a house tour but the group was so big there were two guides.
One of my concerns when we got there was that the visitors center was far from the house. They had no way to get to the house without walking. Those two guides took off and flew up to the house leaving me and a few others behind. She proceeded to start the tour without us. This was the just of what occurred during the tour. She rushed through everything to keep people moving but when I couldn’t keep up she would snap at me for not staying with the group.
After the house tour I asked about the museum that was supposed to have fire engines in it. The first time I asked I was told to ask someone else. The second time I asked she agreed to meet us at the building and unlock the door but only because we asked. Why wouldn’t they mention it to everyone on the tour? It’s a small but beautiful collection of fire trucks and memorabilia.
All in all the place is beautiful, the staff leave a lot to be desired.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
claimsgal
Union, NJ280 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
What a great day we had! The tea assortment was wonderful, the young lady who escorted us thru the Kean home was very knowledgeable & it was fun to learn not only thr history of the Kean family but also other notable famous people that lived & visited the home over the years - looking forward to going back in 2020
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dotty K
Haddonfield, NJ108 contributions
Apr 2019
A tour through the Liberty Hall Museum is the closest we could get to time travel because each room is decorated for different eras from the 1700s, 1800s, and into the 20th century. In addition, because the Kean family kept almost everything, most items are original to this house. Our tour guide took us on three floors of this mansion, as well as a look at the grounds and a fire hall with its collection of fire fighting memorabilia, including a few fire engines. (One of the Kean family members collected fire fighting items and could afford to include fire engines.)
Written May 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rowbare
Bad Nauheim, Germany14 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
I've been to Liberty Hall Museum on several occasions - Easter Egg hunt (three times!), special event openings (Travel Tour, Toys Tour), Trivia Happy Hour (the theme changes each month). The house is almost exactly the way the Kean family left it at the turn of the century. It's filled with New Jersey history. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable about the house itself, the Kean family, and the various time periods the family lived there. There is always something going and always something different. Gift shop, fire house, main house, carriage house, and the grounds - for all ages. A New Jersey must-see! Warning: Many special events sell out so make sure you are on their mailing list or Facebook page.
Written October 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gnachonj
Union, NJ116 contributions
Sep 2016
The grounds are spectacular...lined with corn, apple trees and pear trees, antigue vehicles and an abundance of plants and flowers...you can walk the grounds on your own and it would take about 60 minutes. If you want to learn about the home which was original built in the 1700s, you can pay for a tour ($12 on the hour) which lasts about 90 minutes and will take you back through the centuries. Many items in the home are there from as early as the 1700s. Tour guide Janise was incredible knowledgeable and did a fantastic job detailing each room and floor and spelling out the history of the families who lived there and those who visited Liberty Hall through the centuries.
Written September 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HJBV
Union30 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
I've lived in Union/Elizabeth area for 10 years and finally was able to visit this gem of a museum while out-of-state family came to visit. My 4 year-old son and 2 young nephews (4 & 2) especially enjoyed the toys in the playroom and exploring the well-preserved firehouse. My uncle, a retired US Naval officer and US history geek, loved learning about the history of our not-so-little town (so did the rat of us)! We'll definitely be coming back for another visit!
Written June 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mercPleasantValley
pleasant valley90 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
So much history in this beautiful home and most of the furnishings, art, etc. are original to the house which was built in 1772. Our tour guide Janice was dressed in a colonial costume and was very knowledgable about the house and family since she has been there since it opened as a museum in 2000. The furnishings were all very lavish and beautiful and we enjoyed the toy display in the upstairs rooms. If I lived closer I would definitely stop by for the tea
Written May 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom and Heather
Swedesboro, NJ840 contributions
How accommodating is the house and property for someone who has trouble with walking?
Liberty Hall Museum
Union, NJ
There is about a 3-5 minute walk from our visitors center to the museum via gravel paths. The tour itself about an hour and visitors see about 15 rooms of the museum, there is a lot of walking and standing on the tour. There is eight steps going up to the main floor of the museum as well as stairs going to the 3rd floor and basement levels.Many visitors bring small walking chairs with them. We can also give visitors a chair to sit if needed. We are now closed for walk-in public tours until March 2020. I apologize for the delayed response in this.
dhbrown2004
West Orange, NJ
Is there parking on site?
LJF910
Roselle, NJ7 contributions
Yes, and it's free.
Liberty Hall Museum (Union) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Liberty Hall Museum
- Liberty Hall Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- We recommend booking Liberty Hall Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Liberty Hall Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Liberty Hall Museum:
- (0.34 mi) Colbyco Metro-NYC Lights and Jersey Sights
- (0.55 mi) AVE Union
- (0.72 mi) Villa Thabiso
- (2.66 mi) The Kenilworth Hotel
- (0.70 mi) Arrivals & Departures
- Restaurants near Liberty Hall Museum:
- (0.09 mi) The Habit Burger Grill
- (0.28 mi) Jersey Mike's Subs
- (0.45 mi) Tropicana Diner
- (0.35 mi) La Casa Del Pan
- (0.36 mi) Pizza Villa