Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary have identified a small, white building tucked away on the William & Mary campus as the structure that once housed the Williamsburg Bray School, an 18th-century institution dedicated to the education of enslaved and free Black children.
Now, we are working with the university to ensure that current and future generations learn about the complex history of what is likely the oldest extant building in the United States dedicated to the education of Black children – and the stories of those who were part of it.
On February 10, 2023, the Williamsburg Bray School building will be moving to its permanent home in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. The move will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the school's current location at 524 Prince George Street on the William & Mary campus. The structure will then travel North Boundary Street, through the Richmond and Jamestown Road intersection to West Francis Street, where it will be placed at the intersection with South Nassau Street.
Community members will be able to observe the move from the east end of Duke of Gloucester Street and the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Paid parking is available for observers in and around Merchants Square and the City of Williamsburg parking garage located on North Henry Street.
Members of the community are also invited to attend a ceremony commemorating the Bray School at 2:00 p.m. on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Free parking will be available in the Art Museums parking lot.
You can read more about the move in a press release here.