Williamsburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

School for Black Children

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 26, 2019

1. School for Black Children Marker

Inscription. The Associates of Dr. Bray, a London-based charity, founded a school for enslaved and free black children here in 1760. Located in Williamsburg at the suggestion of Benjamin Franklin, a member of the Associates, the school received support from the College of William & Mary. Anne Wager instructed as many as 400 boys and girls during her 14 years as teacher. In a culture hostile to educating African Americans, Wager taught the students principles of Christianity, deportment, reading, and, possibly, writing. The curriculum reinforced proslavery ideology but also spread literacy within the black community. The school moved from this site by 1765 and closed in 1774.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-109.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1760.

Location. 37° 16.316′ N, 76° 42.446′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is on North Boundary Street south of Prince George Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 N Boundary St, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The College of William and Mary in Virginia (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Norborne Berkeley, Baron de Botetourt (about 500 feet away); Sir Christopher Wren Building (about 500 feet away); Alumni of the College of William and Mary (about 600 feet away); Priorities of the College of William and Mary (about 600 feet away); The Christopher Wren Building (about 600 feet away); In Gallia Nati Mortui in Virginia (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Also see . . . At William & Mary, a school for free and enslaved Black children is rediscovered. An interesting article posted by the Washington Post. Includes a photo of the original building. (Submitted on February 25, 2021, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 26, 2019

2. School for Black Children Marker

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 22, 2023

3. School for Black Children Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2019, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 1,190 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on May 23, 2020, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2019, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on June 23, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.