Predating the university itself, Melrose is the oldest surviving structure on campus and one of the oldest buildings associated with any HBCU in the United States. Originally constructed as a farmhouse, it later became the President’s House and welcomed generations of university leaders. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Melrose provides a tangible link between the land’s pre-university history and Cheyney’s enduring legacy.
When this house was built, George Washington was serving as the first President of the United States. More than two centuries later, it remains part of Cheyney’s story.