WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Tonia Cansler Merideth stepped into the 18th-century Williamsburg Bray School, pausing to absorb the atmosphere. The building’s worn floorboards and smooth newel post bore witness to the many hands that had touched them over the years. A historical roster from the 1760s, listing the names of children who attended the school, leaned against a wall. Of the 30 children, three were free, while 27 were enslaved. “I wish I could hear their voices,” Merideth reflected, imagining the bustling classroom of just 17 by 14 feet.
On Friday, the Williamsburg Bray School will be dedicated, marking 250 years since its closure during the American Revolution. Believed to be the oldest surviving school for Black children in the U.S., it will open to the public next spring after restoration. This unveiling comes at a time when debates over how history, particularly regarding slavery, should be taught are intensifying. The dedication coincides with a politically charged atmosphere ahead of a divisive presidential election.
“This is a significant step toward acknowledging the history of this place,” said Ronald L. Hurst, chief mission officer for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He emphasized the importance of telling a full and inclusive story of the area’s history, especially regarding Black and Indigenous communities. Virginia has recently faced heated discussions about how to approach teaching history and race, particularly after the governor’s executive order banning “inherently divisive” concepts.
According to James Grossman, executive director of the American Historical Association, the impact of history is felt most deeply in places where people can see and touch remnants of the past. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has committed to keeping the Bray School free to the public, recognizing its educational importance.
The school’s history is deeply intertwined with the lives of the children who studied there. Merideth, an oral historian at the William & Mary Bray School Lab, is working to uncover the stories of these students. She has discovered fragments of their pasts through old documents and family histories, including tales of a boy who escaped and a possible witness to an insurrection.
Merideth is also tracing her own family history, particularly her fourth great-grandparents, Peter Armistead and Lavinia, who was enslaved and bore four children with him. So far, she has identified only one child connected to her family who attended the Bray School: Locust.
The school, founded in 1760, was established at a time when education for enslaved people was limited. It was hidden in plain sight until Terry Meyers, a professor emeritus at William & Mary, unearthed its history while researching two names linked to the school. He discovered that the school had moved and evolved over the years, leading to its restoration as a historical site.
Merideth’s journey began in 2013 during a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. She was amazed to learn about the existence of a school for Black children in the 1700s. This prompted her to return to Virginia to see the school herself. Although initially unconfirmed, the building she touched sparked a desire to uncover the truths of Black education in early America.
After completing her education in Texas, Merideth moved to Williamsburg in 2022 to help reveal the school’s history. The Armistead name, prevalent in the area, led her to explore her roots further, connecting her family to the history of the Bray School.
During the ongoing restoration, workers discovered much of the original structure beneath layers of 20th-century renovations, including handmade bricks and the 1760 floor. The school was part of an Anglican initiative to educate enslaved children, aiming to instill acceptance of their societal roles, though the power of education could lead to unexpected outcomes.
Historians have found artifacts like slate pencils at the school site, raising questions about whether the children learned to write, which could have aided in forging freedom papers.
Merideth and genealogist Elizabeth Drembus faced challenges locating historical records, as only three years of student rosters exist from the 14 years the school operated. While searching, they stumbled upon a card left decades earlier by a woman seeking her family’s history, which led them to potential connections with Bray students.
Devin Canaday, a descendant of a Bray student, expressed his desire to experience authenticity when visiting the restored school. He recalled his family’s role in reenactments, noting the mixed reactions from visitors, many of whom preferred narratives about famous historical figures.
For Merideth, the journey has been emotional. She often connects with descendants, sharing their stories while grappling with the weight of the past. Some community members express skepticism toward institutions like Colonial Williamsburg, recalling past injustices, such as a Black cemetery paved over for a parking lot.
As the school’s dedication approaches, Merideth reflects on the bittersweet reality of knowing that hundreds of children attended but most remain nameless. “We only have 86 names,” she noted, but she hopes to honor their legacy by emphasizing the importance of education in their lives.
Merideth continues to search for information about Lavinia and Locust, eager to uncover their stories. She hopes that, despite the challenges, Locust may have found a path to freedom through education.
Related Topics: