In 1760, a school in Williamsburg taught Black children to accept slavery. Colonial Williamsburg has plans for the site now. – By Eric Kolenich (Richmond Times-Dispatch) / Apr 9 2021
WILLIAMSBURG — Beginning in 1760, two dozen or so enslaved and free Black children attended school each day in a small, two-story cottage in Williamsburg, a location suggested by Benjamin Franklin.
They learned the tenets of Christianity, reading, proper behavior and why they should accept enslavement.
Thanks to a retired College of William & Mary professor and a series of archaeological tests, Colonial Williamsburg has made a discovery — the school’s building still stands on William & Mary’s campus.
Until last month, the university’s military science department used it as storage for binders, weight scales and old class photos.
For nearly 70 years, the building’s history had been forgotten. Its location, purpose and appearance have all changed through the years, confusing historians.
