Under the Tree at Liberty Hall

Step back in time and discover how Christmas traditions and gift-giving in New Jersey have evolved over the centuries—through the eyes of the children who once lived at Liberty Hall.

This engaging talk, presented by a historian from Liberty Hall Museum, brings to life the holiday memories of the Livingston and Kean families, who called this historic home their own for over 200 years.

Journey through Liberty Hall’s rich holiday past, from the modest St. Nicholas Day celebrations of colonial New Jersey to the ornate Victorian Christmases of the 19th century, and even wartime holiday adaptations of the 1940s. You'll explore period-specific decorations, learn about cherished family traditions, and get a glimpse at the kinds of gifts that once lay beneath the tree in each era.

Presented by Liberty Hall Museum—an 18th-century estate turned museum in Union, New Jersey—this illustrated talk offers a festive, historical look at how generations of New Jerseyans have celebrated the holiday season.

Liberty Hall stands at the center of the American Revolution and academic excellence. Home to trailblazing governors, congressmen, senators, assembly persons, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs, its plush gardens have spurred civic change and social innovation for centuries. Inhabited by William Livingston, New Jersey’s first elected governor and a signer of the United States Constitution, the 14-room Georgian-style home evolved over time into a 50-room Victorian mansion.

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.