Kean history: the building of Kean Hall
By Leanne Manna | Published by March 16, 2018
Kean Hall or as it is commonly known “The castle looking building” has a rich history that extends before the presence of the University.
The structure was built by Senator Hamilton Fish Kean to serve as his stable and library. The library was considered to be a prime example of Norman architecture, a type of Romanesque architecture that originated in France.
Construction on the building began in 1915, but was interrupted by World War One, which both of Kean’s sons served in. As part of the building effort a blacksmith shop was set up at the site to make all the iron work. The idea was to replicate a chateau that Kean had once seen in France. The paneling inside the library was done with oak from the Nottingham Forest, made famous by Robin Hood.
Hamilton Fish Kean, a resident of Liberty Hall then called Ursino, inherited the land from his father and used the building as part of Green Lane Dairy Farms. Kean was elected to the senate in 1928, served six years, and afterwards worked as a banker in New York. Inside his private library Kean held political meetings. The library had a fountain in the center and stain glass windows with the Kean and Winthrop (Kean’s wife, Katherine, was a Winthrop) family crests.
Green Lane Farm raised Guernsey cows, several of whom set records. One named Lily produced 15,364 pounds of milk in a year. The average cost of cows at the time was 4,000 pounds. The farm also had pigs, chickens and turkeys. One building on the farm was a small store facing Morris Ave that sold the farm’s goods.
Eventually, Hamilton’s son Robert Kean would inherit Green Lane Farm. In 1954, he would sell the 120 acre property to the State to be turned into the new home of Newark State Teachers College.
In 1961, it was hotly debated what the “Kean Building” should be used for. Dr. Lenore Vaughn-Eames was in charge of the restoration committee and argued there needed to be more class and studio space for the arts, especially since music was to become a major in the following year. Part of the barn had already been converted into a pottery studio prior to this.
The building came to serve as the house for the music department and was used for different social functions. Plans were made again to restore the building in the 70’s to make it a space for all college conferences, however, need for class space pushed those to the side once again.
The building would eventually be restored and debut as Kean Hall in 2001. It now houses University administrative offices with Kean’s beautiful library serving as the office for the University President. Kean Hall has always been a central part of the University.
Through the years it has served many purposes and gone through many changes, but still manages to retain its sense of timelessness. One can only image Hamilton Fish Kean’s reaction if he were to see his library now. It was designed as the crown jewel of Green Lane Farm and hopefully will continue to be the crown jewel of Kean University.
Thank you to the Kean University Archives and Special Collections for the information and images.