Think of a major project undertaken in recent years in Williamsburg and chances are Ronald L. Hurst M.A. ’89 has had a hand in bringing it to life: the expansion of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, the creation of a new archaeology center, the relocation of the Williamsburg Bray School and the ongoing efforts to preserve the iconic buildings of William & Mary’s Historic Campus.

In recognition of those contributions and more, Hurst is this year’s recipient of William & Mary’s Prentis Award, an accolade presented annually to a person who demonstrates exemplary civic service to the university and the Williamsburg community. He will receive the honor during a private reception this month.

“We are deeply grateful to Ron for his leadership to preserve Williamsburg’s most historic buildings,” said W&M President Katherine A. Rowe. “He recognizes that what matters most is what the buildings can tell us about people – and about ourselves and our values. It is fitting that we honor him just days before reopening the restored Bray School, November 1. The stories of Bray School scholars will inspire audiences around the nation. We can hear their voices today because of the collaborations Ron has led for many years.”

The Prentis Award was established in 1980 and is named for William Prentis, owner of a local 18th-century store that was “known for its fair wages, good merchandise and sound, innovative business practices.” Colonial Williamsburg still operates a version of the store today on East Duke of Gloucester Street.

A university committee accepts nominations for the Prentis Award. This year, Hurst’s nomination rose to the top, said Ann Marie Stock, who serves as presidential liaison for William & Mary’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships.

“He’s extraordinary,” said Stock. “He cares deeply about the William & Mary / Colonial Williamsburg partnership. Ron understands that by teaming up together we can accomplish a great deal more and engage with and serve many others. He’s always looking to partner and advance our individual and shared objectives.”

A life of preservation and education

“I could not possibly have been more stunned and humbled,” said Hurst upon learning he’d received the Prentis Award.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Hurst double-majored in American studies and history at George Mason University, before earning his Master of Arts in history from W&M in 1989.

A two-year internship at George Mason’s Gunston Hall, a work/study project at England’s Lady Lever Gallery and a curatorial post at Preservation Virginia rounded out his early career. He joined the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as curator of furniture in 1983 and was named vice president and chief curator in 1998.

His portfolio grew exponentially in the ensuing decades, eventually including curatorial operations, conservation, archaeology, architectural preservation, art museum operations and the institution’s cultural collections.

In 2022, he was named chief mission officer and senior vice president of education and historic resources. He provides administrative oversight for historic site programs and operations, historical research, program design, teacher institutes and virtual educational programming.  
Outside of Colonial Williamsburg, Hurst serves as a trustee of the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation and Preservation Virginia, where he is chair of the board.

He admits he does not sleep in much.

“My wife would tell you whether that ever happens,” he said, laughing. “I’m very, very lucky. I consider myself extremely fortunate to work on the important projects that abound in this remarkable community.”

Restoring the Bray School

Top of that list, he said, would be the formation of the Williamsburg Bray School Initiative, a joint venture between William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg, envisioned as a future focal point for research, scholarship and dialogue regarding the interconnected and often troubled legacy of race, religion and education in Williamsburg and America. A key component of the initiative is W&M’s Bray School Lab, which is dedicated to uncovering the history and legacy of the Bray School.

“Ron has leveraged his considerable talents to advance the joint priorities of W&M and CW,” Stock said. “The most visible fruit of this collaboration is the Williamsburg Bray School Initiative; Ron has been one of my most consistent and valuable partners in launching this work and guiding it forward.”

The Bray School was originally established in 1760 to teach enslaved and free Black children. The building’s historic origins were lost for centuries until 2020, when an analysis confirmed that a house on Prince George Street, which had been previously located on the William & Mary campus, was where the Bray School had been housed for the first five years of its existence. The school closed in 1774.

In 2023, the building was moved from Prince George Street to Francis Street in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area where it will become the 89th original structure restored by the foundation.

A dedication ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. Nov. 1, on the Lawn of the Art Museums. It will be followed by a reception, community art project, entertainment and a series of panel discussions and interpretive programs in the Hennage Auditorium, free and open to the public.

“It is definitely one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever been involved with,” Hurst said.