Livingston Public Library

*Attention all book lovers!* The Livingston Public Library invites you to join us for “Thrilling Tales”, our first in-person book club since the pandemic. Enjoy reading and discussing a “mystery” or “thriller” novel with like-minded friends. Hot tea will be served at the meeting. On Monday, May 11th at 11am we will be discussing "The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress" by Ariel Lawhon. Please stop by the Patron Services desk to pick up a copy of the book starting April 13th. Stay tuned and check out the Library’s event calendar at <a href="https://www.livingstonlibrary.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.LivingstonLibrary.org</a> for future meeting dates.
All bibliophiles are welcome to the group discussion! No registration is required.

Local Event: Thrilling Tales Book Club

Essex County

Livingston

New Jersey

Thrilling Tales Book Club

*Attention all book lovers!* The Livingston Public Library invites you to join us for “Thrilling Tales”, our first in-person...

Each year, more than 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke, making it the third leading cause of death and the primary cause of adult disability.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

May is Stroke Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the critical importance of early stroke detection and intervention. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke can make a big difference for you or a loved one.

Join us for a&nbsp; talk on stroke awareness by Viktoriya Laznik, NP at the Stroke Center at Cooperman Barnabas Center in Livingston.

This talk will focus on the BEFAST acronym, as a quick, easy-to-remember guide for recognizing stroke symptoms and responding promptly. Understanding and acting quickly can make the difference between life and death, or full recovery versus long-term disability.

This session will also explore:
<ul><li>The science behind strokes, including causes, social &amp; behaviorial risk factors, and warning signs &amp; symptoms.</li><li>The vital role of bystanders and family members in recognizing the signs of a stroke.</li><li>How immediate action—specifically getting to a hospital in time—can lead to improved treatment outcomes.</li></ul>

Practical tips for preventing strokes and promoting heart and brain health will be shared.

Viktoriya has dedicated her entire career to working with stroke patients, beginning as a staff RN in a busy Stroke Center in Brooklyn NY. For the past 16 years, she has served patients as a Nurse Practitioner on the Stroke Team, training new providers, optimizing stroke care, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Nearly a year ago, she joined CBMC as the Lead Nurse Practitioner at a Comprehensive Stroke Center. When not handling administrative duties, Viktoriya maintains a hands-on approach, actively seeing patients in the units and emergency room.

This program is presented in partnership with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and requires registration via the Library’s event calendar at livingstonlibrary.org

Local Event: Signs & Symptoms of Stroke: How BEFAST Can Save Lives

Signs & Symptoms of Stroke: How BEFAST Can Save...

Each year, more than 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke, making it the third leading cause of death and the...

Signs & Symptoms of Stroke: How BEFAST Can Save Lives

The Livingston Public Library invites the public to join us for a Senior Happening performance on Friday, May 15th at 1pm where Stephen Fuller will present “Expressions of the Heart.” Vocalist Stephen Fuller and his fantastic trio, Tomoko Ohno, piano; Alex Gressel, bass and Gordon Lane, drums, will take you on a musical journey which will showcase the music based off of his 2013 soundtrack “Expressions of the Heart.”

Stephen Fuller, a Newark native, is well known about town. His interest in singing began at age 12, when a teacher recognized his musical gift. He attended the Newark Arts High School and Colgate University, where he studied Sociology and Music, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. This dynamic bass/baritone sings to packed houses, across the predominantly upscale supper club circuit, on either side of the Hudson River

The Senior Happening is a monthly series that allows attendees (“Seniors” or otherwise) to socialize during the first part of the program (12 until 12:45 pm) by bringing a bag lunch, while enjoying desserts and coffee served by the Friends of the Library volunteers. The program and entertainment then begins at 1 pm.

Registration is required and may be done in person at the library; by telephone at (973) 992-4600; or online at www.livingstonlibrary.org. Registration begins on April 27th for Livingston and other Essex County residents.

Senior Happening is made possible in part by funds from the Essex County Division of Cultural Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and through the support from the Friends of the Livingston Library.

Local Event: Senior Happening: Stephen Fuller Presents “Expressions of the Heart”

Senior Happening: Stephen Fuller Presents...

The Livingston Public Library invites the public to join us for a Senior Happening performance on Friday, May 15th at 1pm where...

Senior Happening: Stephen Fuller Presents “Expressions of the Heart”

New Jersey played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, earning its title as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution” due to its strategic location between New York and Philadelphia and the sheer number of military engagements fought on its soil.
This engaging lecture provides a comprehensive overview of New Jersey’s involvement in the Revolutionary War, highlighting the political, military, and civilian experiences that shaped the state during the struggle for independence. Attendees will learn how New Jersey’s geography made it a constant battleground, as well as a crucial supply route and encampment area for both British and Continental forces.
The presentation features profiles of notable New Jersey patriots, soldiers, and leaders who contributed to America’s fight for freedom, alongside stories of ordinary citizens whose lives were forever changed by the war. Key battles and landmark events are explored in detail, including George Washington’s daring Crossing of the Delaware River, the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, the Battle of Monmouth, and many other significant encounters that turned the tide of the Revolution.
This lecture brings to life the people, places, and pivotal moments that made New Jersey central to the birth of a nation.
Speaker Brian Armstrong is an independent historian, researcher, and author with a long-standing passion for American and New Jersey history. He is the President of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and a former President of the South River Historical &amp; Preservation Society. Armstrong also serves as a director of the Raritan Millstone Heritage Association.
He is the award-winning author of The Franklin Park Tragedy: A Forgotten Story of Racial Injustice in New Jersey, which received the 2020 New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Author Award. His other works include South River and A History Lover’s Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine, along with several additional historical titles.
A frequent lecturer, Armstrong presents on local and political history, World War I, the Spanish Influenza, and genealogical research using digital newspapers. He is also a collector of U.S. presidential election memorabilia and a member of the American Political Items Collectors.
This program is made possible with the support of the Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: New Jersey and the American Revolution: 1775–1781

New Jersey and the American Revolution: 1775–1781

New Jersey played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, earning its title as the “Crossroads of the American Revolution”...

Get ready to fire up your core and energize your entire body with this monthly&nbsp;All-Levels Adult Mat Pilates Fitness Class that blends strength, stability, and mobility training to help you move smarter, feel stronger, and elevate your everyday wellness.&nbsp;
Mat Pilates is a powerful, low-impact workout that builds long, lean muscles, improves posture, and boosts your balance and coordination — all, while focusing on controlled, precise movements performed on the floor in a fun, motivating flow.&nbsp; By using your own body weight and breath to guide each motion, you’ll strengthen your core, tone muscles, improve posture, build stability and enhance body alignment.
Led by Luisa Kaiser, a certified Mat Pilates, Yoga, and Kids Yoga instructor known for her upbeat coaching and encouraging energy, this class is designed to make you feel empowered from the inside out. Expect controlled, athletic movements, intentional breathwork, and accessible variations so every participant can work at their own level while still getting an invigorating full-body workout.
Whether you’re new to Pilates or already living the fitness lifestyle, you’ll leave class feeling stronger, more energized, and confidently connected to your body.
Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga or Pilates mat, wear comfortable workout clothing, and bring water.&nbsp;&nbsp;You are also welcome to bring any small Pilates props you may already own, such as resistance bands, Pilates rings, or small stability balls. These are completely optional — the entire class can also be done with just a mat.
This session is open to adults 18 and up. Space is limited; Registration is encouraged.
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: Total Body Mat Pilates Sculpt for Adults

Total Body Mat Pilates Sculpt for Adults

Get ready to fire up your core and energize your entire body with this monthly All-Levels Adult Mat Pilates Fitness Class that...

Explore the elegant connection between Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting in this engaging, hands-on workshop, in honor of AAPI (Asian American &amp; Pacific Islander Heritage) Month. Through live demonstrations, participants will see how expressive brush techniques bring both art forms to life.
Learn how brush strokes create rhythm, balance, and movement, and gain insight into the artistic principles that unite writing and painting in Chinese culture. Participants will have the opportunity to work with traditional materials, including Chinese brushes, ink, and specialty papers.
Guided by the instructor, you will practice foundational techniques and create one or two finished pieces of your own—either calligraphy or painting—to take home.
This workshop will be led by Ms. Hua Jiang, Vice President of The Calligraphers’ Association of America. She holds an MFA in Chinese Painting from Nanjing University of the Arts and has been teaching Chinese brush art throughout New York and New Jersey since 2017.
This event is open to Livingston Library cardholders 18 and up with registration only.&nbsp; Space is limited.&nbsp; To register visit the event calendar at livingstonlibrary.org
No prior experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome.
It is made possible with the support of the Friends of the Livingston Public Library

Local Event: Discover Chinese Brush Art: Calligraphy and Painting Workshop

Discover Chinese Brush Art: Calligraphy and...

Explore the elegant connection between Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting in this engaging, hands-on...

Discover Chinese Brush Art: Calligraphy and Painting Workshop

Recently brought back into the spotlight by the film Maestro, Leonard Bernstein remains one of the most complex and compelling figures in American music. A brilliant composer of Broadway hits, a world-renowned conductor, an influential educator, and an early television star, Bernstein was also a man of contradictions—praised for his genius yet often wrestling with the feeling that he never fully fulfilled his extraordinary early promise.
This informative and entertaining lecture-recital by Dr. Allen Cohen explores Bernstein’s remarkable life and career both on Broadway and beyond. Through carefully selected audio and video examples, audiences will trace his journey from groundbreaking musical theater works to his celebrated achievements in classical music, including his tenure with the New York Philharmonic.
The program examines Bernstein’s enduring legacy, his struggles with artistic identity, and his lasting impact on American culture, revealing how his passion, ambition, and vulnerability shaped a body of work that continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike. Engaging, insightful, and accessible, this lecture offers a rich portrait of the most famous American classical musician in history—on stage, on screen, and behind the baton.
Dr. Allen Cohen is Professor of Music at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His compositions have been played in Carnegie Hall and across the United States and Europe. He has also written dance arrangements for Broadway musicals, scores for off-Broadway musicals and plays, and music for several films and many radio and television commercials, and he has conducted three musicals on Broadway and many elsewhere. He is the author of Howard Hanson in Theory and Practice (Praeger/Greenwood) and the popular children’s book That’s So Funny I Forgot to Laugh! (Scholastic), and co-author of Writing Musical Theater (Palgrave Macmillan). He has served as a judge for the American Prize in music for many years, and he has presented papers about music and musical theater at conferences in New York City, Hawaii, Greece, and Germany.

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: Leonard Bernstein: On (and Off) Broadway

Leonard Bernstein: On (and Off) Broadway

Recently brought back into the spotlight by the film Maestro, Leonard Bernstein remains one of the most complex and compelling...

Join us at Livingston Public Library on Thursday, May 28th in the Common Area from 12pm to 1pm for a quick, drop-in afternoon craft! No registration required, just stop by and create a fun and easy craft to take home. In May we will be creating Bee Bookmarks.
Crafts are available while supplies last and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Event is sponsored by the Friends of the Livingston Library!

Local Event: Crafternoon

Crafternoon

Join us at Livingston Public Library on Thursday, May 28th in the Common Area from 12pm to 1pm for a quick, drop-in afternoon...

This illustrated lecture, presented in celebration of America250, explores the life and work of John Trumbull (1756–1843), one of the most important artists of the American Revolutionary era.
Often called the “Painter of the Revolution,” Trumbull is best known for his large-scale history paintings that helped shape the young nation’s visual memory of its founding events. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War where he sketched maps for the military and served&nbsp; as an aide-de-camp to Generals Washington and Gates.

Trumbull brought firsthand experience, careful research, and a strong sense of patriotism to his art.&nbsp; He went on to become one of the chief portrait artists in America—including creating portraits of George Washington—as well as the painter of huge scenes from the Revolutionary War, four of which now hang in the United States Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. Trumbull’s large oil painting Declaration of Independence hanging there serves as the basis for the reverse design of the current U.S. two-dollar bill.

The talk will examine Trumbull’s training in London under Benjamin West (who encouraged him to paint miniature portraits and small scenes of the war), his role in elevating history painting in America, and his lasting influence on American art.&nbsp;
Special attention will be given to works from the tristate region, which will take pride of place in the presentation.
The talk will be delivered by art historian Michael Norris. Norris earned his BA in Classics from the University of California, San Diego, followed by an MA in Classics and a PhD in Art History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He spent twenty years at The Cloisters Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and has lectured widely at libraries, schools, retirement communities, and clubs, with many talks tailored especially for New Jersey audiences.
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: Artists' Eyes on the American Revolution: John Trumbull's Paintings of U.S. History

Artists' Eyes on the American Revolution: John...

This illustrated lecture, presented in celebration of America250, explores the life and work of John Trumbull (1756–1843), one...

Artists' Eyes on the American Revolution: John Trumbull's Paintings of U.S. History

“The true value of a park lies not in its size or grandeur, but in the way it allows people to connect with nature and with each other.” — Frederick Law Olmsted
Often called the father of modern landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted believed that thoughtfully designed public parks were essential to the health, well-being, and social life of growing cities. Best known for designing New York City’s Central Park, Olmsted and his firm helped shape a new vision of parks as democratic spaces—places meant for rest, recreation, and reflection for people of all backgrounds.
This program explores Olmsted’s design philosophy and its lasting impact on Essex County’s park system. Attendees will learn how Olmsted and, later, his sons—who continued his landscape architecture business—approached park planning, blending natural scenery with carefully planned pathways, views, and gathering spaces. The talk will highlight several local parks designed by the Olmsted firm, including Eagle Rock Reservation, Branch Brook Park, and Riverbank Park, and examine how their designs continue to influence how these spaces are used and enjoyed today.
Presenter Maressa McFarlane is the Archivist and Local Arts and History Coordinator for the Essex County Parks Departments. With over 20 years of experience in public history in New Jersey, Maressa brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the past and present of Essex County’s green spaces.
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library

Local Event: A Philosophy of Park Design: The Olmsteds and the Parks of Essex County

A Philosophy of Park Design: The Olmsteds and...

“The true value of a park lies not in its size or grandeur, but in the way it allows people to connect with nature and with...

A Philosophy of Park Design: The Olmsteds and the Parks of Essex County

Yoga offers a powerful blend of physical strength, mental clarity, and stress relief—helping you build flexibility, enhance focus, and cultivate inner peace. Join the Livingston Public Library’s monthly yoga session led by a certified instructor from Niyama Yoga Shala, and experience the transformative benefits of regular practice.
This Open Level Vinyasa Flow class links yoga poses (asanas) with breath in a smooth, flowing sequence. The session will incorporate mindful movement, traditional breathing techniques (pranayama), and inspiring music to help spark the mind–body connection and release stagnant energy.
All levels are welcome—no prior yoga experience is required. The instructor will offer modifications and variations so each participant can practice safely and effectively, regardless of experience or ability. You’ll leave feeling balanced, refreshed, and renewed.
Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat, any preferred props, and a water bottle.
This session is open to adults 18 and up and space is limited. Registration is encouraged.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: Open Flow Vinyasa Yoga for Adults

Open Flow Vinyasa Yoga for Adults

Yoga offers a powerful blend of physical strength, mental clarity, and stress relief—helping you build flexibility, enhance...

*Attention all book lovers!* The Livingston Public Library invites you to join us for “Thrilling Tales”, our first in-person book club since the pandemic. Enjoy reading and discussing a “mystery” or “thriller” novel with like-minded friends. Tea will be served at the meeting. On Monday, June 8th at 11am we will be discussing "The Murder at World’s End" by Ross Montgomery. Please stop by the Patron Services desk to pick up a copy of the book starting May 11th. Stay tuned and check out the Library’s event calendar at <a href="https://www.livingstonlibrary.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.LivingstonLibrary.org</a> for future meeting dates.
All bibliophiles are welcome to the group discussion! No registration is required.

Local Event: Thrilling Tales Book Club: The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery

Thrilling Tales Book Club: The Murder at...

Thrilling Tales Book Club: The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery

Join us this June in recognition of Alzheimer’s &amp; Brain Awareness Month for a special 60-minute program. This informative and engaging presentation will be led by a trained community educator from the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater NJ Chapter.

This is an evidence-based education program designed to share practical, research-backed strategies for maintaining and supporting brain health throughout life. Participants will gain a better understanding of how lifestyle choices can positively influence cognitive well-being and learn why it’s never too early—or too late—to start caring for your brain.

During this session, attendees will:

<ul><li>Explore everyday habits that promote brain health, including physical activity, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, mental stimulation, and social engagement. </li><li>Understand the connection between overall health and brain health, and why proactive steps matter at every stage of life. </li><li>Create a personalized action plan with realistic, achievable steps to incorporate brain-healthy habits into daily routines. </li></ul>
Whether you’re looking to support your own cognitive wellness or that of a loved one, this community health presentation offers practical tools and empowering information to help you take meaningful action for a healthier brain.

Registration is required.&nbsp; To register please visit the event calendar at livingstonlibrary.org

Local Event: Building Brain Healthy Habits

Building Brain Healthy Habits

Join us this June in recognition of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month for a special 60-minute program. This informative and...

In 1776, the American colonies declared their independence and formed a new nation—the United States. With this bold step came the need for a distinct national identity, including an official seal, flag, and motto.
Join historian Walter Choroszewski as he explores the fascinating story behind the creation of these enduring symbols. Learn about the Founders who shaped them, the ideas they sought to represent, and how these iconic emblems continue to reflect the nation’s values and history.
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: STARS AND STRIPES: The History of America’s Symbols

STARS AND STRIPES: The History of America’s...

In 1776, the American colonies declared their independence and formed a new nation—the United States. With this bold step came...

STARS AND STRIPES: The History of America’s Symbols

Join professional traveler Chris McCormack for an enjoyable evening of storytelling that journeys across America’s most iconic highways, scenic backroads, and remarkable destinations.
Through vivid photography, personal travel stories, and fascinating historical insights, Chris brings the spirit of the open road to life. The program explores influential landmarks from the Revolutionary War—such as George Washington’s Headquarters and the site where he crossed the Delaware River—alongside breathtaking national parks and charming small towns like the Catskills of New York.
From pivotal moments in American history to hidden gems off the beaten path, this engaging presentation celebrates the diverse landscapes, cultures, and stories that make the United States so unique.
Chris McCormack has been empowering people to explore the world since 2014. A Rockaway native, he enjoys sharing his travel experiences with communities of all kinds, including libraries, colleges, and senior centers.
This event is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: The Great American Road Trip

The Great American Road Trip

Join professional traveler Chris McCormack for an enjoyable evening of storytelling that journeys across America’s most iconic...

Celebrate International Yoga Day with a 90-minute journey designed to help you reset, recharge, and reconnect. This special session led by Poonam Shah blends gentle movement, relaxation, and playful exploration to support both body and mind.

Begin by boosting circulation and encouraging natural detoxification through simple clapping and body tapping techniques. Then, move into functional, everyday poses that build strength, flexibility, and mobility in a safe and accessible way.

Along the way, experience the lighter side of yoga with interactive, joyful movement that reminds us that yoga can be fun and uplifting. The session concludes with calming, science-backed breathwork, guided relaxation, and meditation to help quiet the mind and restore balance to your nervous system.

Perfect for all levels, this program offers a refreshing and restorative approach to well-being.

A dedicated Livingston resident, Poonam Shah, is a Certified Yoga Therapist and Instructor with over a decade of teaching experience. Poonam brings the blend of authentic wisdom of Indian Gurus and modern medical insights. Her teaching style is deeply personal. She expertly tailors her classes where every pose, breathwork, and meditation is designed to meet her students’ health goals and conditions. Whether she is teaching kids, teens, women, or seniors, Poonam is passionate to make yoga accessible and transformative for everyone.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat, any preferred props, and a water bottle.

This session is open to adults 18 and up and space is limited. Registration is encouraged.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: Reset & Recharge: A Special International Yoga Day Experience

Reset & Recharge: A Special International Yoga...

Celebrate International Yoga Day with a 90-minute journey designed to help you reset, recharge, and reconnect. This special...

Reset & Recharge: A Special International Yoga Day Experience

The Livingston Public Library invites you to join our 2026 Adult Summer Challenge, based around the theme “Unearth a Story.” The program runs from June 22nd through August 10th.

Participation is easy! To participate, visit the Library’s Patron Services Desk. All participants will receive a signup prize and a booklet.&nbsp;

Once the program begins on June 22nd, participants will earn a raffle ticket for every adult item checked out, which can then be used to enter our weekly prize drawing! Raffle tickets can be dropped into the summer challenge ballot box, located in the Library’s Common Area. The more books you read and log, the more chances you have to win. Participants will also receive additional raffle tickets for each activity completed on their booklet, and a fully completed booklet can earn you up to 20 additional tickets!&nbsp;

Winners will have 3 days to collect their prize, or a new winner will be selected. There will be two Grand Prizes - $120 gift cards to the Library’s store.

Make sure to visit the Library’s website <a href="https://www.livingstonlibrary.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.livingstonlibrary.org</a> to see all of the wonderful activities for all ages this summer!&nbsp;

Local Event: Livingston Library's Adult Summer Challenge

Livingston Library's Adult Summer Challenge

The Livingston Public Library invites you to join our 2026 Adult Summer Challenge, based around the theme “Unearth a Story.”...

In mid-20th-century America and Britain, homosexuality was not just controversial—it was criminalized. Careers could be destroyed, reputations shattered, and lives upended by exposure. Yet some of the most beloved songs in Broadway and West End history were written by men who lived behind carefully constructed public personas.
How did they navigate fame in a world that denied their true selves?
This compelling program explores the lives and music of three legendary songwriters:
<ul><li>Lorenz Hart – The brilliant lyricist of classics like “My Funny Valentine” and “The Lady Is a Tramp,” whose private struggles and deep-seated guilt shadowed his extraordinary success. </li><li>Cole Porter – The sophisticated composer of “Anything Goes” and “Night and Day,” who maintained a high-profile marriage that offered social protection while he discreetly pursued his true identity. </li><li>Noël Coward – The urbane wit behind “Private Lives” and countless songs, who quietly defied convention with style, resilience, and coded candor. </li></ul>
Through music, biography, and cultural history, we’ll uncover how these men balanced artistry, ambition, secrecy, and survival during an era of harsh legal and social constraints. Their stories reveal not only personal courage but also the hidden history behind some of the most enduring works in popular music.
Join entertainment historian John Kenrick for an illuminating and entertaining evening that brings this rarely discussed chapter of theater history into the spotlight.
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: Closets in the Spotlight: How Three Gay Songwriters Lived Forbidden Lives

Closets in the Spotlight: How Three Gay...

In mid-20th-century America and Britain, homosexuality was not just controversial—it was criminalized. Careers could be...

Closets in the Spotlight: How Three Gay Songwriters Lived Forbidden Lives

Long before the network became known as the Underground Railroad, enslaved people risked everything to escape bondage and seek freedom. In New Jersey, one of the most traveled routes ran along the Delaware River from Salem County to Trenton, then across the state toward New York. Along the way, both Black and white allies offered critical support to runaways on their perilous journeys to freedom.
This illustrated lecture will explore the history of enslavement in New Jersey, the role of Quakers who advocated for manumission, and the courageous individuals—famous and unsung—who shaped the Underground Railroad in the Garden State.
Rick Geffken has authored numerous articles on New Jersey history for local newspapers, magazines, historical societies and newsletters and presented historical papers at the New Jersey History &amp; Historic Preservation, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey Library Association, and the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton) conferences.&nbsp; He has participated in Symposia for groups such as the Rutgers Business School (Newark, NJ); the Navesink Maritime Historical Association, and has appeared on the New Jersey Cable TV show, Family Historian.&nbsp;
He is part of a project called the New Jersey Slavery Records Index under the auspices of Rutgers University, (New Brunswick). He joined the New Jersey Social Justice Reconciliation Committee to commemorate the only recorded lynching of a Black man in New Jersey. Rick has taught courses on New Jersey slavery for Monmouth University (West Long Branch); and on Revolutionary War topics at Brookdale Community College (Lincroft). He contributes to the New Jersey Slavery Records Index project under the auspices of Rutgers University (New Brunswick).
As an active member of the New Jersey Social Justice Reconciliation Committee, Rick was instrumental in placing a memorial plaque in Eatontown, the 1886 site of the only recorded lynching of a Black man in New Jersey.&nbsp;
This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.

Local Event: The Underground Railroad in New Jersey

The Underground Railroad in New Jersey

Long before the network became known as the Underground Railroad, enslaved people risked everything to escape bondage and seek...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Posting Activity

Thrilling Tales Book Club

MAY

11

11:00 AM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Signs & Symptoms of Stroke: How BEFAST Can Save Lives

MAY

14

2:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Senior Happening: Stephen Fuller Presents “Expressions of the Heart”

MAY

15

1:00 PM

10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

New Jersey and the American Revolution: 1775–1781

MAY

18

7:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Total Body Mat Pilates Sculpt for Adults

MAY

20

11:00 AM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Discover Chinese Brush Art: Calligraphy and Painting Workshop

MAY

23

11:00 AM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Leonard Bernstein: On (and Off) Broadway

MAY

27

7:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Crafternoon

MAY

28

12:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Artists' Eyes on the American Revolution: John Trumbull's Paintings of U.S. History

MAY

31

2:00 AM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

A Philosophy of Park Design: The Olmsteds and the Parks of Essex County

JUN

1

7:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Open Flow Vinyasa Yoga for Adults

JUN

3

11:00 AM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Thrilling Tales Book Club: The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery

JUN

8

11:00 AM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Building Brain Healthy Habits

JUN

10

2:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

STARS AND STRIPES: The History of America’s Symbols

JUN

10

7:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

The Great American Road Trip

JUN

15

7:00 PM

Livingston Public Library, 10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ

Reset & Recharge: A Special International Yoga Day Experience