Humpreys Hall, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Aerial photograph of the campus circa 1920

Emlen Reading Hall (1900)

Historic Humphreys Hall re-opened in 2013 following a million dollar restoration.

Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Richard Humphreys was a Quaker who arrived in Philadelphia sometime around 1765. Like many other Quakers, Humphreys was an abolitionist and became concerned about the plight of African Americans in cities such as Philadelphia. Today, Cheyney University is the oldest Historically Black university in the United States and a symbol of pride for many African American students, staff, and alumni.
Cite This Entry
Jackson, KC and Clio Admin. "Humpreys Hall, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania." Clio: Your Guide to History. May 20, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2025. https://theclio.com/entry/44119