Thornbury Township near West Chester in Delaware County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fanny M. Jackson Coppin

(1837-1913)

Photographed By Keith S Smith, March 27, 2014

1. Fanny M Jackson Coppin Marker

Inscription.
Educator, writer, humanist, missionary. A former slave, she graduated from Oberlin College in 1865. Principal, Institute for Colored Youth, 1869-1902. (I.C.Y. became Cheyney University, 1983.) Coppin pioneered industrial arts and teacher education.

Erected 1986 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 39° 55.968′ N, 75° 31.659′ W. Marker is near West Chester, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. It is in Thornbury Township. Marker can be reached from Cheyney University Quad. This marker "should" be on the post behind the Administration Building at Cheyney University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1837 University Circle, West Chester PA 19382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jimmy Carter (a few steps from this marker); Squire Thomas Cheyney (approx. ¼ mile away); Thornbury Township: Divided Since 1789 (approx. ¼ mile away); Squire Cheyney: Public Servant

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Agricultural Landscape: Preserved for the Public Good (approx. half a mile away); Squire Cheyney: Progressive Farmer (approx. half a mile away); Thornbury: Past, Present, Future (approx. 1.4 miles away); An Era of Community (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Chester.

Also see . . .
1. Fanny Jackson Coppin - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 30, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. Explore PA History - Beyond the Marker. (Submitted on January 30, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
3. Cheyney University website. (Submitted on January 30, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Naming of Cheyney University:
Contrary to the ambiguous text of the marker the name Cheyney has been associated with this institution of higher learning since 1914, it achieved University Status in 1983 and then changed its name to Cheyney University.
Cheyney University was established on February 25, 1837, through the bequest of Richard

The Leprechauns/Waymarkers

2. Fanny M Jackson Coppin Marker

Taken around 2002-2005

Humphreys, making it the oldest institution of higher learning for African Americans.
At its founding in 1837, the university was named the African Institute. However, the name was changed several weeks later to the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY). In subsequent years, the university was renamed Cheyney Training School for Teachers (July 1914), Cheyney State Teacher’s College (1951), Cheyney State College (1959), and eventually Cheyney University of Pennsylvania(1983).
Today, Cheyney University students represent a variety of races, cultures, and nationalities who receive quality instruction beyond the original vision of Humphreys.

— Submitted January 30, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

2. Fanny M. Jackson Coppin:
Fanny Jackson Coppin was an African American educator and missionary. She was born an American slave; her freedom was purchased by her aunt when she was 12years old. Fanny Jackson spent the rest of her youth working as a servant for author George Henry Calvert, studying at every opportunity. In 1860, she enrolled in Oberlin College in Ohio, the first college in the United States to accept both black and female students. During her years as a student at Oberlin College, she

Fanny M Jackson Coppin Marker on the historic Cheyney University quadrangle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, March 27, 2014

3. Fanny M Jackson Coppin Marker on the historic Cheyney University quadrangle

taught an evening course for free African Americans in reading and writing, and she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1865. She became the principal, of the Philadelphia Institute for colored youth (ICY) – later to become Cheyney University. Fanny Jackson Coppin, was the first woman, black or white, to head a coeducational institute of learning in the United States. During her long administration, Coppin involved parents in their children's education, sending them monthly report cards concerning both their academic progress and their conduct. She also sponsored events where her students and teachers could meet the local and state community leaders.

— Submitted January 30, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Fanny M. Jackson Coppin c. 1913 image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

4. Fanny M. Jackson Coppin c. 1913

Fanny M Jackson Coppin (Marker Missing) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, December 15, 2011

5. Fanny M Jackson Coppin (Marker Missing)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2012. This page has been viewed 1,072 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2014, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on January 30, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on March 28, 2014, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on January 30, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.