Liberty Hall Museum to Celebrate New Year and 4th Season of DOWNTON ABBEY with Luncheon, 1/18

Liberty Hall Museum will celebrate Downton Abbey's eagerly anticipated fourth season with an elegant Downton Abbey Luncheon on Saturday, January 18 (Noon to 3 pm). This stylish buffet, billed as fit for "the Crawleys themselves," includes dessert and a selection of red or white wine. Admission is $50.00 per person, and includes an intimate, guided tour of the museum, the former residence of New Jersey's first elected governor, William Livingston.

"We can't wait to celebrate the return of our favorite show, and share stories about the new season with our luncheon guests," said Bill Schroh, Director of Museum Operations. Schroh, like many of his staff, is an unabashed Downton fan himself, and continues to be impressed by the level of enthusiasm - and attention to detail - expressed by the museum's luncheon guests. "When we [first] decided to host a Downton Abbey-themed brunch at [Liberty Hall], we never thought the guests would be as excited about the event as we were," Schroh reflected after the museum's first successful Downton event, a New Year's brunch, in January 2013. "But quite a few came dressed to the nines in Edwardian outfits; some were even in original Edwardian clothing."

Initially offered in conjunction with the fascinating exhibit (since closed), Ring for Service: The Role of Servants in a Country House, Liberty Hall's popular Downton- themed brunches and luncheons are now a tradition in their own right. The museum hosted no less than thirteen Downton events last year, and offered gift certificates to the wildly popular luncheons throughout the busy holiday season. Due to continued demand - undoubtedly heightened by the long-awaited season premiere, airing stateside this Sunday, January 5th - the museum has committed to three Downton Abbey Luncheons in early 2014: January 18, February 22 and March 22.

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 currently open for group tours (10 or more guests), private events, and scheduled seasonal activities such as those outlined above. Public tours resume Tuesday, April 1.

For reservations and further information, call 908-527-0400, e-mail libertyhall@kean.edu or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall. Follow Liberty Hall Museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/libertyhallmuseum, or on Twitter at twitter.com/LibertyHallKean.