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Archaeological Discoveries at Williamsburg Bray School Site

Excavation team uncovering artifacts at the historic Bray School site in Williamsburg.

News Summary

Recent excavations at the Williamsburg Bray School site have uncovered significant artifacts, revealing the history of one of the first schoolhouses for Black children in America. The site, operational in the 1760s, educated both enslaved and free children, and the findings include items that illustrate the daily life of students during that era. This excavation highlights the legacy of Black education and its impact on literacy and knowledge access in the United States.

Williamsburg, Virginia – Archaeological excavations at the Williamsburg Bray School site have uncovered significant artifacts, shedding light on one of the oldest known schoolhouses for Black children in America, which operated in the 1760s. The excavation, taking place under William & Mary’s Gates Hall as part of ongoing renovations, has revealed the near-complete foundation of the school, a pivotal structure in the history of Black education in the United States prior to the American Revolution.

The Bray School educated both enslaved and free Black children, hastening the spread of literacy and knowledge during a time when such opportunities were rare. The excavation team, led by archaeologist Tom Higgins, has made remarkable findings that include a chimney base, a cellar, and hundreds of artifacts dating back several centuries.

Among the most notable discoveries are pieces of slate pencils estimated to be around 250 years old, a wig curler, jewelry, and pottery fragments referred to as colonoware sherds, which were created by enslaved Africans. Other findings include broaches and ceramics that likely date from when the building served as a dormitory for female students. These items collectively reveal an extensive range of daily life during the period from the 18th century to the early 20th century.

The Bray School was established by an Anglican charity in England with the goal of teaching Christianity and basic education to enslaved individuals. However, following the school’s closure, Virginia enacted laws banning education for enslaved people, motivated by fears of the power that knowledge could grant them. This move significantly restricted opportunities for Black education and contributed to a legacy of educational disparity.

The original Bray School building, constructed in 1760, largely fell into obscurity after it ceased operations, transitioning from a schoolhouse to housing families and then serving as a dormitory for female Methodist students between 1924 and 1930. The current excavation was initiated following a generous $30 million anonymous donation designed to transform Brown Hall into Robert M. Gates Hall, named in honor of the former U.S. Secretary of Defense.

The excavation revealed a substantial cellar measuring 36 by 18 feet, with two distinct levels. The array of artifacts includes more mundane items such as buttons, white clay pipes, and glass pieces depicting Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, likely from the 20th century. These findings will contribute to a new exhibit at Gates Hall that aims to contextualize the historical foundation of the Bray School.

The site officially opened as a museum earlier this year on Juneteenth, a commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States. This restoration marks a pivotal moment in recognizing and honoring the educational heritage of Black Americans.

The discoveries made during the excavation serve as a crucial component in the broader effort to reflect on America’s complex history and the impact of education on enslaved individuals. Experts, such as Dr. Maureen Elgersman Lee, underscore that the understanding of Black education’s historical context remains incomplete, highlighting the need for ongoing research and discussion surrounding this important aspect of American history.

As excavation efforts continue, Williamsburg’s Bray School site stands as a testament to the resilience and pursuit of education among Black communities during a tumultuous period in history. The artifacts unearthed not only provide insight into the lives of students at the Bray School but also contribute to the larger narrative of education and empowerment among marginalized groups in America.