KEANmag
3
president’s message
For many years, more than a four-lane highway divided Liberty Hall
Museum from the Kean University campus and its thriving academic
community. But all of that changed about a decade ago when the Kean
family and the University realized that both shared a vision for a future
that integrated the historic treasure with the vibrant life of our higher
education campus.
Through the combined efforts of Mr. John Kean and the Kean
University Board of Trustees, we successfully joined forces and created a
partnership that marries the beauty and history of Liberty Hall with the
energy and forward-thinking nature of our campus community. In the
years since the partnership began, we have celebrated historic discoveries
in both the archives and on the grounds. Annual exhibits ranging
from travel to fashion to newspapers have garnered national attention,
and hundreds of thousands of visitors—including thousands of school
children from around New Jersey—have enjoyed strolls through the
exquisite gardens and real-life experiences of a time gone by.
This year, the partnership is poised to take another step forward with
the creation of the new Liberty Hall Academic Center (see page 44). As
envisioned, this new facility will provide opportunities for researchers
and history buffs alike to explore the rich past of Liberty Hall that helped
shape the creation of our state and our nation. The new academic facility
will be located on the Liberty Hall campus, just outside the historic
district that surrounds the Liberty Hall mansion, the Firehouse, the
Carriage House and the “Blue House” welcome center.
In addition to classrooms, seminar space and a world-class research
library, the academic center will include extensive, state-of-the-art gallery
space to showcase, among other things, the treasures of Liberty Hall that
to date have spent much of their years boxed away in attics and ice houses.
This new academic facility also will be home to our thriving History
Department, and serve as a resource for visiting teachers and their students.
Once again, Mr. Kean and the University have worked together to
successfully design an approach to learning and research that ensures the
preservation of historic Liberty Hall, its fabulous gardens and its bucolic
setting by creating a viable and steady stream of interest and resources for
the Liberty Hall campus. Together, we also continue our outreach to the
New Jersey community, seeking support for the future of this national
treasure through events ranging from afternoon teas to Kentucky Derby
parties, to the upcoming Governors’ Ball on Wednesday, May 3.
The Governors’ Ball is second to take place on the grounds of Liberty
Hall, which is home to New Jersey’s first governor William Livingston.
Hosted by all of New Jersey’s living governors, the event features an
evening of dinner and dancing on the museum’s grounds, with all
proceeds going to benefit the Museum. I hope you can join us for this
truly spectacular event, which transports us all back to a simpler time
and place—even if it’s just for a few hours.
I look forward to seeing you on campus!
Dawood Farahi, Ph.D.
