Historic school house for Black children restored 250 years later

The Williamsburg Bray School, the oldest surviving building for educating enslaved and free Black children, was dedicated after restoration. The school, operational from 1760 to 1774, was identified in 2020. Matt Webster and Tanya Meredith discuss the restoration process and the importance of preserving the building's history. Tanya, a descendant of a Bray School student, shares her personal connection and the challenges of uncovering the school's history. The school is set to open to the public, aiming to educate visitors about its historical significance and the legacy of its students.

What is the historical significance of the Williamsburg Bray School?

• It was a military training facility during the Revolutionary War.

• It was the first school for Native American children.

• It was the oldest surviving building for the education of enslaved and free Black children.

• It was the first university in the United States.

What method was used to date the wood of the Bray School building?

• Radiometric dating

• Thermoluminescence

• Carbon dating

• Dendrochronology

What challenge does Tanya Meredith face in her research about the Bray School students?

• Lack of funding for research

• Silences in the historical archives

• Opposition from the local community

• Inaccessibility of the building

How did Tanya Meredith discover her connection to the Bray School?

• By visiting the school as a child

• By working at the William and Mary Bray School Lab

• Through a DNA test

• Through a family heirloom

What is one of the biggest challenges in restoring the Bray School building?

• Preserving the stories and historical evidence

• Raising funds for the project

• Obtaining permits for restoration

• Finding skilled craftsmen

What legacy did the Bray School students leave behind?

• They became famous artists.

• They continued the legacy of education in their communities.

• They founded new schools across the country.

• They became political leaders.

What is the goal of the William and Mary Bray School Lab?

• To convert the building into a museum

• To continue the story and legacy of the Bray School

• To sell the building to private investors

• To relocate the building to a new city