News Summary
Recent excavations at the historic Williamsburg Bray School on William & Mary’s campus have uncovered the nearly complete foundation of this significant educational institution for Black children from 1760 to 1774. The findings include a large cellar, a range of artifacts like colonoware pottery and personal items that shed light on the daily lives of students, and highlight the school’s complex history. These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of the colonial education system but will also be featured in future exhibits aimed at preserving this important part of American history.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Archaeologists have uncovered the nearly complete foundation of the historic Williamsburg Bray School on the campus of William & Mary, revealing significant details about this educational institution that served Black children between 1760 and 1774. This excavation was part of the renovation efforts to transform Brown Hall into Robert M. Gates Hall.
The Bray School offered education to both free and enslaved Black children, aged 3 to 10, during its operational years. The excavation revealed a previously undocumented cellar measuring 36 by 18 feet, which showed indications of two distinct floor levels. Notably, the cellar was not lined with bricks, suggesting it was dug shortly after the building’s initial foundation was laid, highlighting the construction techniques used at the time.
A diverse array of artifacts was retrieved during the excavation, dating from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Among the notable findings are fragments of handmade colonoware pottery, which are indicative of ceramics created by enslaved Africans and Native Americans. Additionally, the archeologists discovered jewelry, buttons, and brooches likely worn by female students of the Bray School, as well as pieces of slate pencil and a wig curler, which give insight into the personal lives of the students.
Also found were Greek Revival ceramics and a significant shard of glass depicting Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and justice. This particular shard is believed to have been used as dormitory decor by students in the early 20th century. Collectively, these artifacts offer new insights into the daily lives and educational experiences of Black children in the colonial period while emphasizing their role in American history.
Some of the retrieved artifacts will be displayed in a planned permanent exhibit at the renovated Gates Hall, while others will be sent to Colonial Williamsburg’s Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center, which is set to open in 2026. This initiative aims to preserve and showcase the historical significance of the Bray School and its contributions to education.
The Bray School’s history is not without controversy, as it was designed to instill acceptance of the enslaved individuals’ circumstances among its students. Today, the original structure of the Bray School has been restored to its 18th-century appearance in Colonial Williamsburg and opened to the public as a museum on June 19, 2023, coinciding with Juneteenth.
The discoveries at the site come at a time when the nation is engaged in critical discussions about how to remember and teach historical narratives, especially those related to Black education and experiences. In response to these findings, William & Mary plans to outline the Bray School’s foundation within the floor of the renovated Gates Hall, an approach aimed at enhancing historical understanding and fostering awareness of the institution’s role in education and the broader societal context.
This archaeological endeavor not only enriches the historical narrative of the Williamsburg Bray School but also serves as a testament to the ongoing need to examine and acknowledge the complexities of American history, especially concerning the education of Black children in colonial America.
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HERE Resources
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Discovery of Historic Williamsburg Bray School Foundation
Significant Archaeological Discovery at Bray School Site
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Williamsburg Bray School for Black Children Opens to Public
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Williamsburg Live Brings Vibrant Performances to the Community
Additional Resources
- Coastal Virginia Magazine: Discovering the Bray School
- The New York Times: Bray School and Juneteenth
- The Travel: Bray School Artifacts
- The Washington Post: Discovery of Enslaved Children
- Smithsonian Magazine: Artifacts from the Bray School
- Wikipedia: Bray School
- Google Search: Bray School history
- Google Scholar: Bray School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bray School
- Google News: Bray School archaeology
