Williamsburg Bray School for Black Children Opens to Public

The Bray School, educating Black children since the 18th century, preserves its historical significance.

News Summary

The restored Bray School in Williamsburg, which educated enslaved and free Black children, has opened its doors to the public. Coinciding with Juneteenth celebrations, this museum showcases the educational history of Black children in the 18th century. Initially established in 1760, the school now stands as a historical landmark, reflecting the complexities of race and education in America. Archaeological discoveries, including artifacts from the era, further enrich the narrative surrounding the site, providing insights into the lives of its students and the broader community.

Williamsburg Bray School for Enslaved and Free Black Children Opens to the Public on Juneteenth After Restoration

Williamsburg has celebrated the opening of the restored Bray School for enslaved and free Black children on June 19, 2025, coinciding with the observance of Juneteenth. This momentous occasion features a museum highlighting the history of education for Black children in the 18th century.

The Bray School, established in 1760, originally educated 24 students and served as both a school and home for the teacher who lived upstairs. The building’s original dark wood framework has been preserved, now reinforced by modern support to ensure its sustainability.

According to Maureen Elgersman Lee, director of the William and Mary Bray School lab, the restored building is an educational “doorway” to the broader historical narrative concerning the educational experiences of Black children during colonial times.

Historical Significance and Curriculum

The Bray School was founded by the Bray Associates of London with the mission to provide a Christian education focused on reading and writing skills. The curriculum was designed to prepare students, primarily enslaved Black children aged 3 to 10, to accept their status as enslaved individuals. Education at the school included practical skills, such as needlework for girls, which empowered them to impart their learning to their families.

Despite the limitations within the educational framework, the school provided opportunities that allowed some students to gain skills that enabled them to escape their circumstances of enslavement.

Archaeological Discoveries

Recent archaeological excavations at the Bray School site have uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including slate pencils, jewelry, and ceramics from the period. These findings shed light on the daily lives of Black children who attended the school and their families. An important structure unearthed is a cellar measuring 36 by 18 feet, dating back to the early days of the school’s operations.

The foundation of the Bray School was discovered during renovations of William & Mary’s Gates Hall, which is currently being converted into Robert M. Gates Hall for research and teaching purposes. This excavation has revealed a nearly complete foundation and the cellar that likely served various community functions over the years.

Continuing Education and Future Plans

Olivia Blackshire, who has a personal connection to the site’s history, has actively documented and preserved the legacy of the Bray School. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation intends to integrate the artifacts found during excavation into future exhibits at Gates Hall. These exhibits will provide a physical layout of the school’s foundation and illuminate the contributions of African Americans to history.

Community leaders and historians are optimistic that the insights gained from this project will enhance public understanding of Black education and the larger historical context of the time. Artifacts also indicate uses of the former schoolhouse in the 1920s, when it served as a dormitory for Methodist women attending William & Mary.

Commemoration of Juneteenth

The opening of the Bray School as a museum aligns with the historical significance of Juneteenth, a day celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is committed to using the historical insights derived from the Bray School to educate the public about the vital role that African Americans have played in shaping American history.

This restoration project not only honors the past but serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward understanding and acknowledging the complexities of America’s legacy regarding race and education.