School for Black Children - Williamsburg, VA
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 37° 16.316 W 076° 42.446
18S E 348615 N 4126405
A school that was founded by Ben Franklin himself.
Waymark Code: WM11WF2
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 12/28/2019
Views: 2
The plaque says, "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 revived support from the College of William and Mary. Anne Wager instructed as many as 400 boys and girls during her 14 years as a 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 176 and closed in 1774."
Location Type: Historic Marker
Property Type: Public
Fee required: no
Location Notes:
N/A
Reference Web Site: Not listed
Established Date: Not listed
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