It's definitely not for everyone. I will say the price is very affordable at $16, but it literally just includes a walk through tour. It would have been nice to have the option to sit in the garden, or even have some group photos taken somewhere other than the gift shop and parking lot. I think a few things could have been done to elevate the experience, for instance offering some refreshments or seating in the garden instead of waiting in the gift shop for enough people for the tour to start. If you're at all interested in this era it's worth trying for $16 read more

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I had the opportunity to visit the Liberty Hall Museum for a Yelp Elite Event. This place is so beautiful and is sort of hidden within the Kean University campus, not sure if that's intentional, but I love it. I was able to visit the mansion and was fascinated by the history behind it. As I enter one of the dinning room, I notice it was decorated for a young boy's birthday/Halloween party. Later on I found out from one of the tour guide that the little boy's birthday party was around Halloween in 1930. Haha! He's 86 years old and the decoration that was used in 1930 was the same decoration displayed today in that dinning room - please check my picture out. Now that's amazing! The rest of the mansion and museum is indeed historical and tells a special story. As I made my way into the British garden I was wowed. The garden is picture perfect and is well maintained. For those planning on having an outdoor and well reserved wedding, I'd recommend this place. For my fellow New Yorkers that don't drive. It's convenient to get to Liberty Hall Museum with the N113 bus from Port Authority! It's beautiful to visit during the fall! read more

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On this gorgeous breezy Sunday my partner and I ventured back out for some history and arrived to this place surrounded by Kean University in Union. Built in 1772, this was the home of New Jersey's first elected governor from 1776-1790 and signer of the Constitution, William Livingston. During this special time, the house tour was limited to 6 visitors and got the last time slot at 2pm. We arrived a bit early and was able to walk the grounds to see the apple orchards and garden. We were introduced by a former student and began the tour at the garden where masks were worn the entire time with social distancing of 6 feet. This house/museum was originally designed 14-room Georgian Style home that has since grown into a 50-room Victorian-style mansion. Guests to this house included George and Martha Washington, Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette, President Howard Taft and Governor Thomas Kean, a descendant of the Kean family. It was here that one of Livingston's daughter married John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. In 1811, William Livingston's niece, Susan (Livingston) [Kean] Niemcewicz purchased the house and becoming the Kean family household until 1995. We visited the great room, the dining room, the parlor and the butler's pantry on the ground floor. In the basement, we visited the 18th century kitchen, 19th century laundry room and their 18th century wine cellar. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Landmark. Overall,this place is a gem of history, architecture, and scenery. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The grounds and home are meticulously maintained. If you are a history buff, we recommend this place. read more

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The Governor William Livingston house, now the Liberty Hall Museum, was converted from the former residence of the first elected governor of New Jersey. If you're walking towards the three-story yellow house from the parking lot, you'll probably see either the side or back of the house first and may have to walk around to the main entrance located above some very steep stairs on a porch. (I didn't see any ramps or otherwise handicap-friendly features in or outside the house, so you may want to rethink bringing wheelchairs or great-grandparents.) The main parlor is dimly lit but well heated, and leads to three different rooms.The sun room in the back of the house (where afternoon tea sessions are held) looks out onto a garden with a small hedge maze. The other rooms are essentially exhibits of refurbished furniture and preserved family belongings that have been roped off or encased in glass for viewing. Expect to see a lot of teacups and pewter silverware, but otherwise there's not much to see or do. I'm guessing the plumbing works, but I didn't see any restrooms inside, so you may have to do your business outside. Outside food and drink are not permitted, as is photography (but there only appears to be one museum guard). The visitor center houses administrative offices, meeting rooms, and a tiny gift shop. As a part of the Kean University campus and the Kean family legacy, the museum offers free admission to Kean University students and faculty. One-time admission to the general public is $12, but an individual annual membership is only $25 (which pays for itself after 3 visits). Kean alumni pay $10 and non-Kean college students pay $8 for one-time admission, but the museum also sells public library passes, so if your local library has purchased one you could conceivably get in for free. Getting here requires making a turn from Morris Avenue onto Kean Drive and then onto Elizabethtown Drive past a pond with a fountain and what look like a cluster of corporate office buildings. Parking in the gravel lot by the visitor center is limited, and there are no lines for parking spaces, so you may wish to park in the more commuter-friendly parking lots for the office buildings next door. read more

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I got the chance to visit this amazing historic landmark during Yelp's All the Fall Things 2016 event, i was truly impressed! We were given a brief tour of the mansion and although it was not the full tour, it was more than enough to learn all about the history behind this gorgeous site! The place is immaculate and very well kept! I was paying close attention to everything inside from the kitchen to the crown moldings and even the hard wood floors, which did not resemble anything that they make nowadays! Our two tour guides were extremely pleasant and full of information and were eager to answer any questions anyone had for them! I will be returning to this landmark for a full tour, thanks Sara M. And Yelp for letting us be a part of this event! read more

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Beautiful Museum. Very easy find to find. Fun for the whole family. Mostly caters to older kids. Wear comfortable shoes everything is spread out and it is not easy to get around, ** Do a tour - the guide will get into detail and keeps you engaged. ** Bring snacks, there is a costly restaurant. ** Wide range priced take home goodies. Join the museum so worth it for a small fee, you get invited to all the vents and "FRIENDSGIVING" free dinner, the price of the membership. Totally worth it. read more

Liberty Hall Museum - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Union, New Jersey

I recently attended Yelp's Fall Event and part of it involved a tour of the first floor of Liberty Hall Museum. This gorgeous house was once the home of William Livingston, who started as a well to do lawyer but eventually went on to be a member of the First and Second Continental Congress and a brigadier general of the New Jersey militia. The tour guides (dressed in era appropriate clothing) were great about giving a history lesson as we moved from room to room. Each room transports you to another time. The Livingston family never threw anything out (as we were reminded a few times) so everything in the house actually belongs to the descendants of that family, the Keans (though the house now belongs to the nearby university). As a result you get to see a ton of antiques from the furniture to a super rare tea set. The house also boasts a collection of thousands of books, some of which are on display in shelves all over the house. One of my favorite displays was a dumbwaiter in the kitchen complete with a fake cooked turkey! The longer tour can last up to two hours plus and costs $12 for adults. I do plan on coming back for a full tour and I'm deeply appreciative this was part of the Yelp event! read more

Visited the Liberty Hall Museum in conjunction with a Yelp event. This museum is a nice hidden gem right next to Kean University. The original house was built in 1772 with 11 rooms, and various additions have created the 50+ room house that now stands. The house has a nice formal English Garden. We were only able to visit the first floor of the home during the event. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Nice place to visit and see a piece of NJ American History. read more

Liberty Hall Museum - Formal English gardens. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Union, New Jersey

We had our wedding ceremony here and it was beautiful. Mei helped us organize the guests and everything went according to plan. The garden was amazing and provided us with the perfect scene for our ceremony. The only complaint I have is the "bridal suite" was just as hot as it was outside. read more

Liberty Hall Museum - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Union, New Jersey

Really interesting and historical place! I had the privilege of getting a glimpse of it at Yelp's All The Fall Things event. Right across the street from Kean University, the museum is quietly tucked away near a beautiful English garden maze. As part of the event, we were able to experience the first floor tour for free. It was very educational and the tour guides were more knowledgeable than I imagined! Every piece found inside is intentionally set up and has a story to back it up too. If you're a fan of history, then you should definitely check it out. The tour normally requires admission but I would go back to hear more, especially since each guide tells things differently. Who knew such a great piece of history was so nearby! read more

A bit of a hiccup at the start as I arrived a teeny bit late (wrong turn) and the tour had left. They made good and gave me a solo tour at noon. Well versed guide (Sandra) took me thru each room offering detail and insight. The home is well maintained and furnished. The exhibits were plentiful and of interest. The museum is rumored to have other-worldly inhabitants and for an added bonus I had my own paranormal experience. I am an amateur sensitive and didn't present myself as one. I kept it to myself. I don't actively seek such but instead remain open to just letting them 'happen'. And it did! I s/w the tour supervisor a few days later to relate the experience and it could not be debunked. Def worth a visit. read more

When I was growing up in Union, we all knew of a mysterious house on Morris Avenue across the street from Kean College. You couldn't see it because it was obscured by trees and shrubbery, but we knew that it was historically significant and that the woman who lived there was very important in Republican politics. Any time a Republican president came to town. there would be a private reception at the home. The rest of us, however, were left to wonder what was back there, behind the greenery. Occupied by the Livingston/Kean family for most of the previous 200 years until the death of Mary Alice Barney Kean in 1995, the home is now a museum and a fascinating look into the history of one of New Jersey's most influential families. Mary Alice deeply appreciated that history and the home, and she worked hard to ensure that the building would be well-preserved and ready for interpretation. I toured the house not long after it became a museum, and on that and subsequent visits, I enjoyed talking with docents about the house itself, the family and the belongings they left behind to represent almost two centuries of living there. Imagine the amount of stuff a family would amass over that time! Imagine never having to go through your stuff in preparation for moving -- the things you'd stow away and forget -- and you have some idea of what's at Liberty Hall. From what I understand, historians are still discovering amazing things there. Several years ago, they found a letter from George Washington pasted on a back page of the diary of one of the house's younger Colonial-era residents. Maybe it comes from that initial fascination I had as a kid, but I've always been drawn to learn more, which has brought me back several times. Every time, I learn something new. Since being the home of New Jersey's first governor elected by the people, Liberty Hall has hosted notables from Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to William Howard Taft and Ronald Reagan. Listening to the history of the family, you come to realize that they and the families they married into were some of the most influential people in our nation's history. Liberty Hall is truly a hidden treasure, demonstrating how important it is for us to save and share our local history. If you're into American history, stop by for a tour with one of the excellent docents. You'll be glad you did. read more

This is not the best review, however, it a review. I came to Liberty Hall for the Fall Yelp event. I didn't realize it was on Kean University campus. However, I loved the ambiance and the fun nooks and carriage spaces. I didn't do the tour but I did make a donation. I will have to make a second trip and explore the grounds. read more

The location could be a little confusing, as it is in the college campus. We had a weekend Yelp event last Saturday here. The garden in the back is lovely with nice decoration. The building is very old but well maintained. It is a large property and a few staffs run this place with full acknowledge. How come there is a cron field next to it is beyond me. read more

Liberty Hall Museum - Nice garden - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Union, New Jersey

I'm leaving this review for special events department that helped us coordinate our wedding (8/31/14) on the liberty hall grounds. Chris was our wedding coordinator and I'm so thankful for that. He was very helpful, quickly responded to emails, and overall very knowledgeable about how the ceremony would run. The day of the garden was setup beautifully with white garden chairs and a table for beverages. He was very attentive to us and our guests. As well as the staff working that day. Our wedding ceremony is a memorable one thanks to Chris, his staff, and the beauty of the garden. Thank you! read more

Liberty Hall Museum - Inside the glass porch - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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Went to a Downton Abbey luncheon for ten with family and friends. It was a four course meal interspersed with a tour and a history lesson. Our tour guide was John and he did a great job from the start to the end. I've had my fair share of museum tours and they can be extremely boring. John kept the tour entertaining with historical anecdotes and was patient with questions from the group. I learned a great deal of interesting history about the Kean family and the state of New Jersey. Talk about 200 years of history collected, beautifully displayed, and preserved for the public to see. I would definitely wear light clothing in the summer months because l/4 of the tour in the end involved going to the 2nd floor of the house which does not have air conditioning, I wore a dress so I lucked. At the end of the tour it unfortunately started to pour heavily and John our tour guide was kind enough to loan our group umbrellas on the way back to the parking lot. Kudos to Liberty Hall Museum for preserving great history and John for being an informative and gracious guide through entire tour. Support your local museum, you never know what you're going to find or learn! read more

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Nope, never again will I visit this museum. Complete waste of time. Poor communication. SMH!

Went with our scout troop. They should have had two tour guides for our group size. Since they did not we couldn't all hear properly. The tour guide did not know the names of the people she was talking about. Kept goofing them up. I also question some of the information that was provided. Overall I would not recommend this for other troops. read more

I just returned from my visit to Liberty Hall Museum as a possible venue for my wedding. I was suppose to meet with Danielle M. Armstrong, but she never showed up. I walked around the grounds myself. I came 10-15 minutes early, and when I told someone I was there to meet with Danielle, he said, I'm sure she'll be here. So I waited until 2. and I waited until 2:10. and I called her, and there was no answer. So let me save you the trouble. Here is the package. The grounds were pretty with roses and lilies, but the hedges didn't seemed trimmed very neatly. You could have a garden ceremony and would have to rent chairs and everything yourself. The Carriage House was cold and dark with giant black and white pictures of farmers and ppl inside. Also a giant fake horse and carriage in there. Not the best place for a reception. They have a glass house that is way too small to use. can fit 20 ppL? And they have a tent already set up which you can use -thats nice, but you'd still have to rent your own chairs/tables/linens/caterer and air conditioning. so if this sounds good to you, then good luck meeting with Danielle! Our full package includes: an outdoor ceremony, use of the Wagon Shed (as a bridal suite), use of the Carriage House (for the cocktail hour), use of the Tent (for the reception- up to 150 guests), the entire grounds and a one hour tour of the museum for your guests. This package is $7,500, it is an 8hr rental, including set-up, event time and breakdown. You can have your event anytime between 10AM and 11PM. We provide the tables and chairs for the Carriage House & Wagon Shed. Currently, you will have to rent the tables and chairs needed under the tent. However, you can rent each facility depending on what your needs are. I've attached the price list for all the facility options. read more

My wife and I purchased tickets for $60 for a Hamilton night. That evening we showed up to a darkened and locked building and security who knew nothing of an event. We were never notified of a change or cancellation. Don't waste your time or money with this place. read more

Not only have I enjoyed Liberty Hall Museum as a visitor, I had the privilege of interning there during my undergraduate studies for a history degree. The entire facility is stunning and kept in tip top shape by hours upon hours of hard work put in by the museum staff. The staff is very warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. I cannot think of a more desirable place to be in the late spring when the Victorian rose garden is in bloom. There is always something new to see or do during any season at Liberty Hall. All New Jersey residents must put Liberty Hall Museum on their list of places to visit; after all, it is New Jersey's best kept secret and the gem of Union County. read more

We loved getting married at Liberty Hall Museum. It is a unique and affordable place to have a wedding. Danielle, the coordinator was extremely helpful and attentive. Keep in mind you will need to handle all of the outside vendors on your own but it allows for the wedding to be very customized which we loved. All night guests were commenting on how beautiful the grounds were and took pictures all over the property. A really wonderful and special place for a special day. read more

As a special events planner for The Arc of Union County, I can say without reservation that the Liberty Hall Museum is one of a kind! The Arc has hosted a summer fundraiser at the Liberty Hall for the past three years - and each year has been more fabulous than the last. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the space, the Liberty Hall estate is literally a "hidden gem." Tucked away on the edge of the Kean University campus, and hidden directly behind the traffic on Morris Avenue, sits 10+ acres of lush grounds, including a magnificent 50 room Victorian mansion (home to New Jersey's first elected governor), a carriage house (built in 1882), and gorgeous landscaping complete with rose garden and boxwood maze. A country setting, perfect for any kind of event - from weddings to Bar Mitzvahs to corporate events - the Liberty Hall estate is a space that your guests will not forget. Beautiful, calming, tranquil, peaceful, stunning, a step back in time - these are some of the ways our guests have described the space. Equally important, the Liberty Hall staff is terrific and highly professional, from coordinating pre-event details - to day-of/on-site support. In addition, the Museum hosts a tea once a month, which includes a tour of the main house, and also currently hosts a weekly farmer's market. Take a drive over and visit, you won't be disappointed! read more