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History · Kean University

Kean University dates to 1855, and 2 of its places are on the National Register

Below: maps from 1947 on.

1855founded
2on the National Register
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Quick answers

How Kean University began

When was Kean University founded?

1855

Kean University dates its founding to 1855 (Wikidata).

2020 census: 1,522171 years
Founding year: Wikidata.The full story ↓

What stands out about Kean University’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Kean University are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Kean University’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Kean University’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
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The story

How Kean University came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Kean University.

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The building of the estate on which Kean University is situated was begun in 1760, when lawyer William Livingston, who would become New Jersey's first elected governor on August 31, 1776, and a Revolutionary War patriot and signer of the United States Constitution, bought 120 acres (0.49 km2) in then-Connecticut Farms and Elizabethtown, across the Hudson River from his New York City home, in hopes of establishing a country residence. By 1772, extensive grounds, gardens, and orchards had been developed and a 14-room Georgian-style house had been built under the supervision of Livingston. In its first year of occupancy the new house, christened Liberty Hall, was the residence of both Livingston and Alexander Hamilton. In 1773, Livingston moved to the home with his wife, Susannah French of New Brunswick, and their children, full-time.

ChaptersLivingston-Kean EstateNewark Normal SchoolNew Jersey State Normal SchoolNew Jersey State Teachers CollegeNewark State CollegeKean College of New JerseyKean University

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

By decade

Kean University, decade by decade

Today6 recent
2018-06-20 11 59 43 A yucca along New Jersey State Route 439 (North Avenue) near New Jersey Route 82 (Morris Avenue) at…20182018-06-20 11 59 43 A yucca along New Jersey State Ro…Michael Mao; Kean Stages2017Michael Mao; Kean StagesMichael Mao at Kean Stages2017Michael Mao at Kean StagesSTEM Building2015STEM BuildingKean Hall2015Kean HallWillis Hall2008Willis Hall
On the map

Kean University on the map, 1947 to 1995

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Kean University. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Kean University on the 1947 USGS mapKean University on the 1955 USGS mapKean University on the 1967 USGS mapKean University on the 1981 USGS mapKean University on the 1995 USGS map1947Elizabeth sheet · 1:24,000

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Kean University.

On the National Register

2 historic places in Kean University

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving. One is a National Historic Landmark, the highest tier.

places listed
2
National Historic Landmark
1
none yet
historic buildings protected
2
each building in a district counts

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

Famous people

Famous people close to Kean University

Nobody well known was born in Kean University itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.

See all →
Whitney HoustonAmerican singer, actress, and film producer · b. 1963
G
George R. R. MartinAmerican writer and television producer · b. 1948
Allen GinsbergAmerican poet and writer · b. 1926
Philip RothAmerican novelist · b. 1933
Jerry LewisAmerican comedian, actor and film director · b. 1926
Shaquille O'NealAmerican basketball player · b. 1972
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Union Township4 historic placesA−Hillside Township2 historic placesB−Elizabeth10 historic placesA+

Questions about Kean University’s history

What year was Kean University founded?

In 1855, according to Wikidata.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikimedia Commons (6), Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.