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

Williamsburg Bray School

Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, January 11, 2026

1. Williamsburg Bray School Marker

Inscription.
Funded by the Associates of Dr. Bray, an Anglican charity in England, the Williamsburg Bray School operated in this building from its founding in 1760 until 1765. Here teacher Ann Wager instructed about 30 enslaved and free Black children at a time, seven days a week. Ranging in age from 3 to 10 years, they learned the practice of Anglican worship as well as reading and (for the girls) sewing. Originally located on nearby Prince George Street, this is the oldest building in North America used for the education of Black children. Today it serves as the focal point of a partnership between the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and William & Mary for research and discussion of the shared and often difficult histories of race, religion, and education in early America.

Restoration of the Williamsburg Bray School was generously funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and many other donors.

Erected 2025 by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1760.

Location. 37° 16.193′ N,

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76° 42.249′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Nassau Street and Francis Street West, on the right when traveling south on South Nassau Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 S Nassau St, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Site of First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); African American Baptist Meetinghouse Exhibit (within shouting distance

Williamsburg Bray School - current location at Nassau & Francis Streets (near the Art Museum) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, January 11, 2026

2. Williamsburg Bray School - current location at Nassau & Francis Streets (near the Art Museum)

of this marker); Bryan House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Catherine Blaikley House (about 400 feet away); Taliaferro-Cole House (about 400 feet away); The Public Hospital of 1773 (about 400 feet away); Durfey Shop —Reconstructed (about 400 feet away); Hartwell Perry’s Tavern (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2026, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 68 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2026, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.