Who knew that in addition to grit and vision, founding a nation required copious amounts of alcohol? America's Founding Fathers appreciated a good tipple and their writings frequently reference booze. Benjamin Franklin famously said, "Wine is constant proof that God loves us and likes to see us happy." Evidence of the drinking habits of America's political trailblazers are on display in Union, New Jersey at Liberty Hall Museum's intriguing new permanent exhibition History in a Bottle.
During a recent renovation, museum staff were shocked by the discovery of a hidden cellar filled with wine and spirits spanning two centuries. Touring the impressive collection with John Kean, president of Liberty Hall Museum, I couldn't help but chuckle when he said, "The Founding Fathers were a bunch of drunks anyway!"John Kean, president of Liberty Hall Museum. His ancestor, William Livingston, was the first governor of New Jersey and a signer of the Constitution. Livingston built the family's landmark home in 1772.
Built in 1772, Liberty Hall Museum is the landmark estate of the Livingston and Kean families -- their family tree includes the 1st and 48th governors of New Jersey. Active in politics and public service since the American Revolution, the family hosted many of American history's prominent figures at their palatial country estate, including an overnight stay from Alexander Hamilton. More likely than not, Hamilton enjoyed a glass of Madeira during his visit.
The liquid treasures uncovered at Liberty Hall Museum include a bottle of 1796 Lenox Madeira, the same wine that Hamilton might have used to toast a political success against his future assassin, Aaron Burr. Other highlights include a bottle of 1876 Old Crow Bourbon, Brandy from the mid-1800's, and a bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild 1905!
In addition to the 1796 Lenox Madeira, History in a Bottle features several other very old bottles of Madeira -- an indicator of the importance and popularity of this fortified wine from Portugal during the 18th and 19th centuries. There is even literature that suggests that George Washington's oath of office ceremony was followed by a Madeira toast. Even the signing of the Declaration of Independence was toasted with Madeira.
As if the discovery of 25 bottles of Madeira dating back to 1796 and 42 demijohns from the 1820's wasn't big enough news, these Liberty Hall treasures were actually in pristine condition! As a fortified wine, Madeira has impressive aging capacity but the exceptional quality of the wines unearthed at Liberty Hall can also be attributed to the excellent conditions of the hidden cellar and the Portuguese cork. Not only did the cork stoppers endure for such an extended period of time, they did an impeccable job of protecting the Madeira. During my visit to Liberty Hall, I was invited to taste their Madeira from the mid-nineteenth century and was blown away by its incredible vitality, freshness, and finesse.
History in a Bottle is a rare and exciting opportunity to explore 200 years of American history through the lens of wine & spirits. Also, in addition to the exhibition, Liberty Hall and its grounds, located on the campus of Kean University, are absolutely lovely. As described on their website, "over the last two centuries, the originally designed 14-room Georgian Style home has grown into a 50-room Victorian-style mansion. The site houses extensive collections of antique furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families." A great day-trip that is easily accessible from New York City, Liberty Hall Museum is a charming journey to the past.
