Looking Back: The Underground Railroad and Freedom

By: Leah Jenkins, Assistant Researcher

Founded in 1837, The Institute of Colored Youth was the first college for people of African descent in the United States. Established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys bequeathed $10,000 of his estate to design and establish a school for African Americans. The school specialized in agricultural and industrial education, with multiple trade apprenticeships offered.

The Institute included both boy and girl high schools and a preparatory school. Of the three departments, the faculty consisted of an entirely Black staff of men and women. The school expanded to provide a classical education with classes in advanced mathematics, sciences, English, philosophy, social sciences and classical languages. The school grew in popularity and attracted a national and international student body with a long waiting list. The Institute of Colored Youth closed in 1902 and moved to Cheyney, Pennsylvania, where it settled on the name Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1983.

References:

• https://catto.ushistory.org/catto_maps/test-map-2/

• https://snaccooperative.org/view/87380039

• https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/history/teaching-guides/historical-detective-edward-bouchet/Historical%20Detective%20Edward%20Bouchet_Secondary%20Source%20Excerpt%20ICY.pdf