CRANFORDLIFE UNIONNEWSDAILY.COM
Food drive continues
— See Page 2
Church has Chili Fest
— See Page 8
Cougars top Woodbridge
— See Page 13
NOVEMBER 2021
VOL. 06 NO. 03
Residents explore ‘Four Centuries’ By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey Through Union County’s History” took place on Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17, at more than 30 historic sites throughout Union County. At each site, guests were given “passport” stamps, ensuring a real time-traveling experience in Union County. This was felt by guests who visited Liberty Hall Museum, which is part of the Kean University campus, and the William Miller Sperry Observatory, on the Cranford campus of Union County College. Guests had the opportunity to tour Liberty Hall Museum, a 50-room Victorian mansion housing historic items documenting more than 225 years of American life, according to the passport describing the historic sight. The house grounds include lovely formal gardens, a brick stable and other buildings. Liberty Hall was originally built for the first elected governor of New Jersey, William Livingston, who entertained guests that included George and Martha Washington, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Eventually, the Kean family owned the property and donated it to the Liberty Hall Foundation in 1997. Interim collections manager and Liberty Hall Museum educator Kayla Doyle, one of the tour guides for the property, spoke about the countywide event and discussed the significance of the house. “Today, we are doing the last day for the ‘Four Centuries in a Weekend’ event. Yesterday, we had it as well and we had a pretty good turnout. We had about 100 people come, which we were excited to showcase our house,” Doyle said on Sunday, Oct. 17. “‘Four Centuries’ … allows people to visit other historic locations throughout the towns. We’re here in Union. People stop here and then they’re able to go to either Elizabeth or Hillside to visit another location, which is great, because it promotes whatever is going on at each location and it allows
Photo by EmilyAnn Jackman
The maze garden is located outside Liberty Hall Museum. This is one of the many places explored during ‘Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey Through Union County’s History,’ on Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17. people to learn a little bit about history, and teachers use it as an extra-credit assignment. It also allows people to explore and venture out. “The house has been here since 1774,” she continued. “We’ve had a lot of families over the generations. Originally, it was Livingston’s house. However, a lot of Livingston’s children were not happy to move to the middle of nowhere in New Jersey. The British would ransack the house searching for Livingston, because he was a traitor and supported the patriots. Unfortunately, when Livingston passed away, his son, Henry, sold the house in 1798 and it went to three outside owners of the Kean and Livingston families. Fortunately, a woman named Susan
Livingston Kean Niemcewicz asked her son to buy it back in 1811. About 150 years later, Mary Alice Barney Kean wanted to convert this house into a museum. She was very into history, as she would allow private tours, was a storyteller and (would) hold intimate tea parties. We’re just continuing the legacy that she had. I just love how you can see the changing of America right in this house.” With an interesting mix of formal and informal, the perfect garden located on the grounds of the house is referred to as the maze and was created by Lord Bolingbroke of England. Guests were able to explore the well-kept garden, which is in the shape of two angels. See FOUR, Page 4
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