Historic Williamsburg

8. The Brafferton

Williamsburg, VA

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Built in 1723, the Brafferton is one of three buildings that make up what has been dubbed the "Ancient Campus" of the College of William and Mary, along with the Wren building and the President's house. It is the most architecturally original building on campus - a three-story Georgian with two main floors and a finished attic - and it currently houses offices for the College. Its first use as a school for Indian boys began in accordance with a section in the College of William and Mary's charter, which called for a program to educate the sons of neighboring Native American tribes. The boys were to be trained as Christian Clergymen so that they might eventually promote Christianity and English ways to the tribes. The Indian school's endowment was provided by Robert Boyle, a noteworthy English scientist who is often cited as the father of modern chemistry. A local Indian tribe sold the College six boys who had been captured in a battle with a warring tribe. These youths became the first students of the Indian school. However, the plan to educate Indian boys as Englishmen in order to aid Colonial expansion was largely a failure. Thomas Jefferson, a member of the College's board of visitors, closed the school in 1779. Since then, the Brafferton has housed classrooms, a professor's residence, and a dining hall. Today it serves as an administrative building.