By: Richard L. Smith
Image Credit: Kean University
A collection of rare letters, maps, manuscripts and historical records will offer visitors a glimpse into early American life as Kean University celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with a special exhibition at Liberty Hall.
The exhibition, Unfolding: Early American Accounts from Liberty Hall, brings together historical materials from Kean Galleries and Collections and Liberty Hall Museum, highlighting how written records helped shape communities, relationships and government during America’s earliest years.
Visitors will have an opportunity to explore documents connected to some of New Jersey’s most influential families, including the family of William Livingston, the state’s first elected governor and a signer of the U.S. Constitution.
The opening celebration will feature a series of presentations and performances beginning at 5:30 p.m., when Professor Chris Bellitto discusses the connections between ancient Greece, Rome and Revolutionary-era New Jersey.
A reception featuring live period music, champagne and refreshments will follow at 6 p.m.
At 7 p.m., guests will enjoy a preview of Remember the Ladies, an upcoming Premiere Stages production by Erin Breznitsky examining the influence of Sarah Livingston Jay and Adrienne de Noailles on America’s early political relationships.
According to exhibition organizers, the historical collection includes materials spanning centuries of New Jersey history, offering insight into the personal, political and economic relationships that helped shape the state.
The exhibition will remain on display through December 4, 2026, at the Liberty Hall Academic Center Gallery.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission to the special opening event is $50, while regular admission to Kean galleries operates on a pay-as-you-wish basis.
Tickets for the opening celebration are available through the Kean University Foundation.
Additional exhibitions and educational programs commemorating America’s 250th anniversary are planned throughout the fall.