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Monday, January 31, 2011

LOVE IS IN THE AIR @ LIBERTY HALL MUSEUM IN UNION

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY

Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University celebrates Valentine’s Day with a series of special events throughout the month of February. Visitors can enjoy seasonal activities and take in the museum’s impressive collection of artifacts in the historic Victorian mansion of New Jersey’s first elected governor, William Livingston.

Valentines Tea 2010 007On Wednesday, February 9 from 2–4 PM, Liberty Hall hosts its Sweetheart-Valentine’s Afternoon Tea. The afternoon teas are a monthly tradition at the museum, and each is offered with a different timely theme.

“It’s the perfect place to sip tea, lunch on finger sandwiches and enjoy desserts while gazing at the formal English garden—beautiful even in the snow—from the comfort of our glass-enclosed porch,” says William Schroh, director of museum operations. A tour of Liberty Hall will follow the tasty repast, and is included in the program fee of $35 per person.

Will You Be Mine? is a crafts workshop especially designed for children and their families on Saturday, February 12 from 10 AM to 1 PM. Recommended for 7 to 12 year olds, participants are guided in designing and constructing their own old-fashioned Valentine’s craft.

“That special someone will love the hand-made gift the children make at our ‘Hearts and Crafts’ workshop,” added Schroh. The fee for the workshop is $10 per child, and all workshop materials are included.

A special Valentine’s Day menu, a historic couples fashion show and a presentation about the history and traditions of Valentine’s Day are the highlights of Liberty Hall’s Annual Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea. The event takes place on Sunday, February 13, from noon to 3 PM; the cost is $55.00 per couple.

Reservations are required for all these programs, and can be made by calling Liberty Hall Museum at 908.527.0400.

The on-going exhibit at Liberty Hall is Stitches in Time: Three Centuries of Hemlines, Necklines & Everything in Between. The exhibit features over 40 pieces of clothing and accessories from the vast fashion collection of the Liberty Hall Museum. The fashions on display range from 18th century shoes and fans to 20th century Christian Dior cocktails dresses, featuring elegant gowns, glittering accessories, refined evening attire and vintage undergarments (in a display called “Victorian Secrets”).

Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University, chronicling more than 200 years of American history is a treasure trove of significant riches. Along with forgotten letters from Thomas Jefferson, Liberty Hall also houses extensive collections of antique furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. The Firehouse is the latest addition to the Museum’s complex housing antique fire engines and a collection of fire memorabilia.

General admission to the museum for regular visits is $10 for adults, $6 for students and free to children under three, Liberty Hall Museum members and Kean University students, faculty and staff. Liberty Hall is located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union, New Jersey. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM. For reservations and further information, call 908.527.0400, e-mail libertyhall@kean.edu or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall.