Institutions that came to be known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) offered manual training alongside academic instruction. Prior to the establishment of HBCUs, craftsmen learned skills as apprentices to master tradesmen. This photograph of a bricklaying class at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute (now Hampton University) is at the Library of Congress.
These modern definitions are taken from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles published by the U.S. Department of Labor:
Bricklayers (construction) “Lays building materials, such as brick, structural tile, and concrete cinder, glass, gypsum, and terra cotta block (except stone) to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures: Measures distance from reference points and marks guidelines on working surface to lay out work. Spreads soft bed (layer) of mortar that serves as base and binder for block, using trowel. Applies mortar to end of block and positions block in mortar bed. Taps block with trowel to level, align, and embed in mortar, allowing specified thickness of joint. Removes excess mortar from face of block, using trowel. Finishes mortar between brick with pointing tool or trowel. Breaks bricks to fit spaces too small for whole brick, using edge of trowel or brick hammer. Determines vertical and horizontal alignment of courses, using plumb bob, gaugeline (tightly stretched cord), and level. Fastens brick or terra cotta veneer to face of structures, with tie wires embedded in mortar between bricks, or in anchor holes in veneer brick. May weld metal parts to steel structural members. May apply plaster to walls and ceiling, using trowel, to complete repair work.”
Brick Masons “Lay building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete, cinder, glass, gypsum, and terra cotta block (except stone), to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures. Include refractory brick masons.”
[Note: Click on the link to see a lengthy description of tasks and skills associated with this occupation — Leslie]
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 