Archaeologists at William & Mary University have unearthed a cellar beneath the Williamsburg Bray School, the oldest surviving Black schoolhouse in the United States. The cellar, discovered as part of an ongoing excavation, contains artifacts such as ceramics, jewelry, and slate pencils, providing a glimpse into the school’s extensive history. The Bray School, established in the 1760s, initially served enslaved students using a religious framework to justify slavery. Over time, the structure evolved into a dormitory for women attending college, marking a significant transition in its purpose.
The artifacts, dating back to the 18th century through the mid-20th century, are being analyzed to determine their origins and connections. William & Mary’s Center for Archaeological Research, led by Tom Higgins, noted that the cellar was likely dug shortly after the foundations were laid, as it lacked brick lining. The structure, discovered in 2020, is currently being restored by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, highlighting efforts to preserve this piece of American history. The findings offer new insights into the early republic, from the Bray School’s founding through the generations that followed, reflecting the complex legacy of education and social change in the United States.
Katherine Rowe, William & Mary’s president, remarked,