Liberty Hall Museum

Colonial Olympic Games & Ice Cream Social at Liberty Hall
2026-07-11 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Ave., Union, NJ, 07083, United States
Who doesn’t enjoy a good old-fashioned family fun day? Join us for our Colonial Olympic Games and Ice Cream Social Day! Colonial Games were widely enjoyed by children and inspired some of the toys and games we play today. Explore and learn about what children played with, and enjoy a family-friendly competition in the lovely gardens of Liberty Hall. Afterward, to celebrate your victory, join us for a yummy good time at our Ice Cream Social! I scream, you scream…we all scream for Ice Cream!
Recommended for all ages! No experience necessary.
Reservations Required.

Architecture Tour of Liberty Hall
2026-07-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-09 13:00 - 14:00
Liberty Hall has witnessed over 250 years of American and New Jersey history. Over that time, the main house has undergone many changes, from its original 14-room building to the current 50-room structure. Join us on the second Sunday of the month for a special architecture tour that explores the many changes to the main house and the architectural styles of the time.
Reservations suggested; walk-ins welcome.

Maker Mondays at Liberty Hall: Fairy Tails
2026-07-13 10:00 - 14:00
Meet the fairies of Liberty Hall on Maker Monday!
Drop in to our makerspace to build a fairy house, paint a fairy door, make a fairy magic wand, and more! Make and build what you wish and stay as long as you like! This program is designed for students in grades 1 through 5, and a caregiver or guardian must accompany children. You are also welcome to pack a snack or lunch and use our picnic tables or benches in our garden.
Reservations suggested, walk-ins welcome.

Member Mondays: Crown to Country (New Date!)
2026-07-13 19:00 - 20:00
**New Date**
Liberty Hall is extending its tour hours, just for members! Have you ever wondered what we teach the school students who visit Liberty Hall? Take a special abbreviated take on one of our most popular school programs, Crown to Country. Join us just two days after America turns 250 and learn about how and why we became American in this celebration of our country’s history. This tour includes hands-on activities and is a member-exclusive experience!
Reservations required. Members-only tour.
Not a member? Please click on the Membership tab on our website, libertyhall.kean.edu, and see how you can become one!

Guided Garden Tour and Boxed Lunch
2026-07-14 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-21 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-28 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-04 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-11 11:00 - 13:00
Every Tuesday this summer, we will offer a boxed lunch add-on for our 11:00 a.m. guided garden tour. The boxed lunch will be served at noon, following the garden tour. Lunch will be served at a picnic table in our lovely garden reserved just for you!
Reservations for the boxed lunch add-on option must be made at least five (5) days in advance of the event. We will email you to select your sandwich choices once the reservation has been made.
Reservations required.

Toddler Time: ENCANTO Magic!
2026-07-15 10:30 - 11:30
Join the “magical” world of ENCANTO!! Little ones will love to wander Isabela’s beautiful flower garden, explore Antonio’s rainforest friends, and get creative like Mirabel with her colorful doodles. We will definitely be “talking about” the enchanted visions the Tiny Tots will search for in Bruno’s sand. Will they have the strength, like Luisa, to lift some donkeys? Come and join the fun at “Casita” Liberty Hall!
Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Pay your age! Accompanying adults are $5.
Reservations Required.

Guided House Tour and Boxed Lunch
2026-07-16 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-30 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-06 11:00 - 13:00
This summer, every Thursday, we will offer a boxed lunch add-on for our 11 am guided house tour. The boxed lunch will be served at noon after the house tour. Lunch will be at a picnic table in our beautiful gardens, reserved just for you!
Reservations for the boxed lunch add-on must be made at least five days in advance. We will email you the sandwich choices once your reservation is confirmed.
Reservations required.

Bearing Witness: Uncovering the Enslaved of Liberty Hall
2026-07-19 13:00 - 14:00
Take a special tour of Liberty Hall and learn the stories of the enslaved individuals who lived and labored at the historic home and on its grounds. Using letters, census records, manumission contracts, and even grave sites in Elizabeth, uncover the stories of Abbe, Belle, Lambert, Henry, Sarah, Peter, and others. Learn about the ongoing research at Liberty Hall and Kean University as we give voice and narrative to the individuals who were once enslaved at this historic home.
Reservations encouraged.

Maker Mondays at Liberty Hall: Christmas in July!
2026-07-20 10:00 - 14:00
Celebrate Christmas in July on Maker Monday!
Drop in to our makerspace to make Christmas ornaments, holiday decorations, and more! Celebrate with some hot chocolate and sugar cookies! Make and build what you wish and stay as long as you like! This program is designed for students in grades 1 through 5, and a caregiver or guardian must accompany children. You are also welcome to pack a snack or lunch and use our picnic tables or benches in our garden.
Reservations suggested, walk-ins welcome.

Toddler Time: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
2026-07-22 10:30 - 11:30
Join us as we inch our way to the very colorful world of The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Your little “caterpillar” will not leave here ‘hungry” with all the “fruity” fun and “yummy” crafts we will have set out in the garden! Little ones will not want to miss the “fluttery” finish to our very busy morning. Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Reservations required.
Pay your age! Accompanying adults are $5.

Uncork History: American Girl Dolls, 250 Years of American Girlhood
2026-07-22 18:30 - 20:30
Enjoy our summer series in the garden and join us for Uncork History: American Girl Dolls-250 Years of American Girlhood. Did you know American Girl turns 40 this year? The iconic doll brand has inspired generations of girls and young women to get excited about history through its inspiring stories of girlhood throughout American History. Whether you are an adult collector or have fond memories of your children playing with an American Girl doll, this event has something for you! Learn about the brand history, revisit the stories of Samantha, Addy, Felicity, and all the other timeless stories girls have grown up with. Discover how many of these stories tie into Liberty Hall’s history, too. Afterward, relax in our historic gardens with wine and finger foods, as the sun sets. It’s perfect for a summer date night or a night out with friends!
Light refreshments served. Reservations Required. Must be 21 years or older to attend.

Ladies of Liberty Hall Tour
2026-07-26 13:00 - 14:00
From Susan Livingston, daughter of Governor Livingston, whose daring exploits saved Liberty Hall from the British during the Revolutionary War, to Abbe, an enslaved woman who attempted to self-emancipate (free herself), to Mary Alice Barney Kean, who worked tirelessly for the preservation of our historic structures, the ladies of Liberty Hall have played an important role in the history of our community and our nation. This special tour of Liberty Hall, held on the fourth Sunday of the month, highlights the incredible women who lived and labored in this historic home.
Reservations suggested; walk-ins welcome.

Maker Mondays at Liberty Hall: Summertime Science
2026-07-27 10:00 - 14:00
Calling on scientists on Maker Monday!
Drop in to our makerspace and choose your own Kiwi Crate of science experiments! Make and build what you wish and stay as long as you like! This program is designed for students in grades 1 through 5, and a caregiver or guardian must accompany children. You are also welcome to pack a snack or lunch and use one of our picnic tables or benches in our garden.
Reservations suggested, walk-ins welcome.

Toddler Time: Dinosaur Egg Hunt
2026-07-29 10:30 - 11:30
We may be a historic house, but get ready to have a “prehistoric” rawr-ing good time! A dinosaur egg hunt will start the dino-mite adventure for the tiny “paleontologist”. Then, giant “footprints” left behind by these majestic creatures will lead them to a Dino-dig area to search for some “dinosaur bones”! Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Reservations Required.
Pay your age! Accompanying adults $5.

Sunset Stroll Garden Tour
2026-07-30 19:00 - 20:00
Promenade our gardens and arboretum under the backdrop of a crimson sky and setting summer sun, and join us for a guided Sunset Stroll. Join us to learn more about our historic gardens!
Reservations Required.

Children's Tour of Liberty Hall!
2026-08-02 13:00 - 14:00
Give your child a hands-on experience with history at Liberty Hall! Join us on the 1st Sunday of the month for Children’s Tour Day! Our special children’s tour offers your little ones an engaging, personal experience of life from the 1700s through the 1990s. This fun, hands-on tour also includes a history scavenger hunt! Do you think your child is up for the challenge?
Recommended for children in 1st-5th grade. Reservations recommended. Walk-ins welcome.

Maker Mondays at Liberty Hall: Garden and Grow
2026-08-03 10:00 - 14:00
Start your own garden on Maker Monday! Drop in to our makerspace and plant flower seeds, make leaf art, and more! Make and build what you wish and stay as long as you like! This program is designed for students in grades 1 through 5. Children can be dropped off or remain with a caregiver. You are also welcome to pack a snack or lunch and use one of our picnic tables or benches in our garden.
Reservations suggested, walk-ins welcome.

Toddler Time: Barnyard Fun!
2026-08-05 10:30 - 11:30
Hay! There is sure to be some “horsing” around as little ones learn all about our barnyard friends! Will they be able to get all the “piggies” back in the pigpen? What “tails” will Mr. Cow have to share? How many eggs can we find in the chicken coop? Decorate your own little barn and then show off your “mooo-ves” as we finish off the morning with a fun Barnyard Dance!
Recommended for ages 2 to 4. Pay your age! Accompanying adults are $5.
Reservations required.

Music in the Gardens
2026-08-07 18:00 - 20:00
The Livingstons and Keans have always had musicians in their families, and music has been an integral part of society since the late 1700s. Join Liberty Hall as we listen to a live band perform music from sheet music in the museum’s collection, featuring a mix of modern favorites. This special concert will take place in our beautiful gardens, so sit back, relax, and enjoy a themed cocktail with some light refreshments as you listen.
Light refreshments will be served. Reservations required.

Guided Garden Tour
2026-08-08 11:00 - 12:00
Come learn the history of our historic gardens. Discover how each generation of residents added to the exquisite planting schemes William Livingston laid out, and a truly unique garden took shape, making Liberty Hall a living archive of over 250 years of American garden design.
Reservations Required. Space is limited.

Maker Mondays at Liberty Hall: The Dog Days of Summer
2026-08-10 10:00 - 14:00
Celebrate man’s best friend on Maker Monday! Drop in to our makerspace for crafts and activities for your pets! Make and build what you wish and stay as long as you like! This program is designed for students in grades 1 through 5. Children can be dropped off or remain with a caregiver. You are also welcome to pack a snack or lunch and use one of our picnic tables or benches in our garden.
Reservations suggested, walk-ins welcome.

Member Monday: Changing Childhood
2026-08-10 19:00 - 20:00
Liberty Hall is extending its tour hours, just for members! Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to grow up during a different time period? If so, August’s Member Monday, Changing Childhood, is perfect for you! Come experience a modified version of one of our most popular school programs. Changing Childhood explores how a child’s life changed between 1780 and 1980. It’s time to bring your inner child out to play! This tour includes hands-on activities and is a member-exclusive experience!
Reservations required. Members-only tour.
Not a member? Please click on the Membership tab on our website, libertyhall.kean.edu, and see how you can become one!
