The Brafferton

From Special Collections Research Center Wiki

Contents 1 Material in the Special Collections Research Center 2 In the News 3 References 4 External Links 5 Need help?

The Brafferton, located on the south side of the Wren Yard and southeast of the Wren Building, was built in 1723 by the College of William and Mary with funds from the estate of English scientist Robert Boyle. These funds were profits from the Brafferton Estate in Yorkshire, England, for which the building was named. The Brafferton was originally used as an Indian School with the intent to educate and prepare Native American boys for the Anglican priesthood (an endeavor that met with little success). After the Revolutionary War, English funds ceased to come in and the school was closed. It was damaged during the American Civil War and the College spent $3,000 for repairs. In 1865 it served as the office and quarters the commanding officer of the Union garrison in Williamsburg. In the spring of that year, the Brafferton was used as part of the Union defensive works after a raid of troops under John Singleton Mosby.

Throughout the years, the building also served as a residence for professors, a dormitory for students, an armory for the Wise Light Infantry, and an alumni office. After having been closed for two years, it was renovated and reopened in 1905 as a senior dormitory. Hot and cold running water was installed for each room in 1912. In 1918 it became the headquarters for the Student's Army Training Corps. Its use changed throughout the 1920s: Business Administration Office (1920), Dean's, Registrars, and College Physician's offices (1921), Flat Hat office (1922), President's and Treasurer's offices (1922). It was restored 1931-1932. Additionally, it has temporarily housed other offices, the Alumni Association, fine arts classes, and even the Music Department for a short period of time. Since 1985, the Brafferton has been the location of the President's Office and the Provost's Office.

Material in the Special Collections Research Center

• "So good a work" : the Brafferton school, 1691-1777, Karen A. Stuart, MA Thesis, 1984. Swem stacks, Archives book collections: LD6051 .W5m Hist., 1984, S78 (available for interlibrary loan requests).
• See the Special Collections Research Center Database for collections including the University Archives Photograph Collection and many others.
• Catalog, 1895 p. 39; 1906 p. 34 (new porch)
• Colonial Echo, 1899 p. 9; 1901 p. 68; 1902 p. 15, 19; 1903 p. 112; 1906 p.17, 157; 1907 p. 7; 1908 p. 13; 1910 p. 14; 1922 p. 22; 1924 p. 19; 1926 p. 19; etc.

In the News

• W & M's Brafferton is now offices, Daily Press 2 May 2008.

References

• Brafferton, University Archives Buildings File (2007), Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary.

External Links

• William and Mary - Historic Campus

Need help?

To search for further material, see Finding Materials in the SCRC for an introduction to the SCRC Collections Database, card catalogs, Flat Hat-William & Mary News-Alumni Gazette index, etc.

Questions? Contact the SCRC at spcoll@wm.edu or 757-221-3090, or visit the Special Collections Research Center in the Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary (hours).

A Note About The Contents Of This Wiki

Unfortunately, many of the early original records of the College of William and Mary were destroyed by fire, military occupation, and the normal effects of time. The information available here is the best available from known documents and sources at the time it was written. Information in this wiki is not complete as new information continues to be uncovered in the SCRC's collections and elsewhere. Researchers are strongly encouraged to use the SCRC's access tools for their research as the information contained in this wiki is by no means comprehensive.