Hampton University’s historic legacy is stepping into the national spotlight as a featured institution in the newly unveiled ‘Freedom’s Footprint’ exhibit, launched August 18, 2025. This traveling showcase, presented in key cultural centers across the United States, tells the powerful story of cities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have shaped African American history, civil rights, and cultural progress.
Founded in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War, Hampton University — affectionately known as the Home by the Sea — began its mission by equipping newly freed African Americans with the education and skills to thrive. Since then, it has evolved into one of the nation’s most respected HBCUs, recognized for excellence in academics, research, and cultural preservation. The ‘Freedom’s Footprint’ exhibit captures this journey through rare photographs, significant archival documents, and works by distinguished alumni artists, offering a rich and immersive portrait of Hampton’s enduring influence.
Interactive multimedia stations showcase oral histories from alumni whose work has transformed sectors such as science, business, government, and the arts. Guests will also see early Hampton yearbooks, artifacts tied to the school’s influential role in American educational history, and profiles of leaders whose contributions resonate far beyond the university’s campus.
“Hampton University is proud to stand alongside other great HBCUs in telling our shared story of determination and triumph,” said University President Darrell K. Williams. “This exhibit reminds us of the responsibility we have to preserve and share this history while preparing the next generation to lead and innovate.”
For the National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc. (NHAA), Hampton’s inclusion in ‘Freedom’s Footprint’ is both a celebration and a call to action. The stories and artifacts on display honor the resilience of past generations — and underscore the importance of supporting current students so they, too, can carry forward this legacy of excellence.
Alumni and friends are invited to contribute to the NHAA Student Emergency Fund, which provides crucial support to students facing unexpected hardship. Your donation ensures that the powerful history celebrated in this exhibit is matched by an equally powerful future shaped by Hampton graduates.
To learn more about the exhibit’s tour schedule and locations, visit the official ‘Freedom’s Footprint’ press release. Supporting Hampton today means shaping the leaders and stories of tomorrow.
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