Liberty Hall Hauntings

By Layah Lopes| Published November 9, 2023

Liberty Hall is an enduring, historic staple that’s been standing since the late 1700s. Its rich history has left many to ponder whether or not the aged building harbors more than just tales of the past.

The fifty-two-roomed house is filled with marks andmemories of generations long gone. With limited medical advancements and a substantially low mortality rate throughout the era, some may say the home must be filled with the echoes of ancient lives lingering in the walls.

“I have not seen anything, I have definitely heard things, I have smelled things, but I have never physically seen anybody.” Says Executive Director Rachael Goldberg of Liberty Hall Museum.

Perusing through the home one might encounter unexpected phenomena. The second floor which once housed the homeowner’s private chambers, seems to have an inexplicable chill.

Colder temperatures around the house may be due to the many additions made to the home, as a result, the cooling and heating system may be a little wonky.

Rumors surround Maryalice Kean’s room, the last owner, to be the most haunted room. This just so happened to be the coldest room in the house. 

Many of the chambers possessed a frigid temperature, some more than others. However, the bottom floor rooms seemed to have a comfortable condition.

Talk has been spread of sightings of apparitions of men and women in the house. As well as items disappearing and reappearing. 

Guests have mentioned catching whiffs of cigar smoke or perfume waiting in the air even when no logical source could be found. The scents have been said to follow some and remind visitors that lives once thrived.

“You are walking through somebody’s history and somebody’s energy in the house,” says Sandra Palma, a museum educator.

Palma mentioned hearing whispers in certain rooms that often sound like men or women having a conversation.

Other tour guides have mentioned no sightings or experiences with this kind of activity, which leaves the question still standing.

Are Liberty Halls being roamed by the multiple owners’ presences? There seems to be only one way to answer this question.

Experience the tour for yourself and decide if you believe it or not. The expedition is free to all Kean students.

The museum also holds special events like the candle-lit tour on Oct. 28, where spectators are invited to an evening house tour.

There are different Halloween-themed events that are open to the public. Take a visit and find out if you believe in ghosts.

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