Whodunit? First Ever Murder Mystery Set for Liberty Hall Museum

For the first time, Liberty Hall at Kean University will host a Murder Mystery at the Museum in the 244-year-old historic mansion of New Jersey's first elected Governor, William Livingston. Guests will be transported to 1932 when they arrive at the beautifully decorated Liberty Hall for a dinner party. However, murder is on the menu, and it is up to the dinner guests to solve this whodunit.

Guests will do their sleuthing in teams as they are guided throughout the first floor of Liberty Hall, interviewing five suspects to find out who killed Mr. Fredric Ericson, Esq., how the dastardly deed was done, and why. Was it his wife, whom he might have not loved anymore? Or his son-in-law who might have been written out of the will? Or perhaps it was one of his trusted servants?

"Liberty Hall is filled with history, and all of us who work here know its ghost stories and have even had some of our own supernatural encounters," said Bill Schroh Jr., director of museum operations. "For this event, we thought we would create a gruesome tale of our own and have fun with it."

Criminally good refreshments will be served after the mystery is solved. Murder Mystery at the Museum will be held on Saturday, November 26 at three different times: 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is $40 per person and reservations are required by November 19.

Other fun events at Liberty Hall this month include the museum's popular History Happy Hour, which will be held on Thursday, November 17 from 7 - 9 p.m. This month's topic is Family Secrets - Can You Keep a Secret? Over 240 years of family secrets will be revealed and fun family stories will be told! History Happy Hour includes drinks and snacks, and guests will have time to mingle. Admission is $25 per person and $20 for museum members and Kean alumni. Reservations are required to attend and guests must be 21 years old or older.

Liberty Hall closes out the month and kicks off the holiday season with its Christmas in Toyland tours, beginning Friday, November 25. The first floor of the museum will be transformed into a Christmas game room where five classic childhood board games - Clue (1949), Candy Land (1948), Scrabble (1938), Monopoly (1923) and Around the World with Nellie Bly (1889) will be reflected in the Christmas décor. The Christmas in Toyland tour will be the final extravaganza for the popular Toys Through Time: The History of American Fun exhibit. Christmas in Toyland is included in the regular house tours, which take place Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., with tours leaving every hour. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for Kean alumni, and $8 for seniors and children.

Reservations are required for all events. Please call 908-527-0400 or purchase tickets on the museum website by visiting www.kean.edu/libertyhall/events.

Founded in 1855, Kean University has become one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, with a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving nearly 15,000 students. The University's six undergraduate colleges offer 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers four doctorate degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master's degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. With campuses in Union and Toms River, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, Kean University furthers its mission by providing an affordable, accessible and world-class education. Visit www.kean.edu.

Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University chronicles more than 240 years of American history. The museum also houses extensive collections of furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. The Firehouse Museum, built in 2004, houses three antique fire engines, including a rare 1911 American LaFrance Metropolitan Steam Engine. The museum is open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., with tours leaving every hour.

For reservations and further information, call 908-527-0400, e-mail libertyhall@kean.edu or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall. Liberty Hall Museum is located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union, New Jersey.

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