Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

While on a cross country road trip in September 2024 we visited several places in Topeka, one of which was the school building that was central to the US Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of education. Very friendly park staff took the time to provide a lot of information and explained the background behind the case. Very good layout and exhibits to see. Spent about an hour here. If you are in the Topeka area, highly recommend seeing this.

Such an amazing National Park! Well designed and very easy to navigate! A MUST SEE FOR TEACHERS! We got our US National Park Passport Stamped including the 60th anniversary stamp!

The Brown V. Board of Education NHS is a Park that you need to see. Passport cancelation stamps are on a table as you walk into the building. There are six passport cancelation stamps here! The staff and park ranger were very nice and knowledgeable. They answered any and all questions I had.

A really informative and important moment to remember. Making this a National Park Historical place was the right thing. A well put together resource to remember the historic court cases that abolished segregation in schools. Something that sane and logical people need to continue to remember and uphold the ideals of good.

Very through explanation of the cases surrounding Brown v Board of Education. My kids actually enjoyed filling out the Jr Ranger books

Closed due to government shutdown. Information signs outside done well but snippets of information. Mural nearby wonderful.

A must see/do for any person interested in history, civil rights, or government. So much to learn here so that history does not repeat itself. It is sad that this is part of our American history, yet so important to learn from. All the exhibits are so well done. Staff was also excellent. Nice gift shop. Free parking lot across the street. No entry fee.

I finally had time to visit and I'm so glad I did! I will return again. All the Park Rangers and volunteers were very supportive and helpful. I learned a great deal and I know my next visits I'll pick up more information. Their bookstore/gift shop is small but I found my book to describe what I just experienced, my NPS coin (no penny smasher), bumper sticker, t shirt and NPS tote. Oh and magnet. It's free, so I didn't "get to show" my America the Beautiful pass but they had a donation box to help support the Park, which I did. It's important to support our National Parks and historical sites. I will support it as often as I am in Topeka. Update: Another great visit. I found my key chain for van. I arrived with a good size group engaged with a Ranger. Very informative and knowledgeable. I always learn something new with each visit.

This is a pretty cool museum. There are several rotating video clips shown in the auditorium that are good to watch. Be sure to bring your reading glasses (if you need them)!

Ranger Lawson and Ranger Jeff welcomed me from the moment I stopped into this historic building. Ranger Lawson directed me towards the exhibits and made himself available if I needed. The exhibits were amazing. The videos and interactive media were all functioning. DYK there were actually five cases that were combined and argued in front of the Supreme Court in 1954, combined they were known as the historic Brown vs Topeka Board of Education that ended segregation of schools in the U.S. in 1954. The Hall of Courage is an interesting exhibit that shows videos of discrimination on both sides. It attempts to mimic the feeling that folks back in the 1950s and the Jim Crow South had to deal with. The building also has a recreation of a kindergarten in Topeka during the 1950. Where teachers believed that play was the highest form of learning. So children could let their minds run free and creativity develop their curious minds. The Legacy Room has plenty of exhibits. I particularly liked the Wall of Courage, that highlight post-Brown heroes, and the Protest in Music exhibit that had songs from Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, to Public Enemy. I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to learn more about the case and be on the grounds where the one of the cases originated. This location presents the information well, and visitors cannot help but feel proud about the event.

I was on my way from Abilene to Kansas City, so I stopped here and by the Kansas state Capitol. This is the school at the epicenter of Brown v. Board of Education, one of the lawsuits initiated by Thurgood Marshall in order to overturn segregation. The ranger was welcoming and super nice. The gift shop attendant was helpful. The exhibits are laid out nicely and are well organized. Each exhibit demonstrates the before, during, and after periods of the Brown decision. There is a moving portion where you walk down a hallway of video footage of white people screaming vitriol at the black students attempting to integrate the school. Powerful. There is also a 20-25 minute video. Unique historical stop very close to the state Capitol. You could easily do both in three to four hours or so.

No need for a long review. If you can't come to this place, free of charge, and see the cultural significance coupled with the significance to today's America... you need to self reflect. You are among history throughout this place. Orginal chairs, water fountains, bricks, etc, is what you are walking into here. Just take a look and see for yourself what is here.

Simply amazing exhibit and heartbreaking at the same time at the original Monroe Elementary School.

Wonderful museum housed in the original Monroe Elementary school building. Parents of six students that attended the school in 1949 participated in the brown vs Board of Education lawsuit. This led to a breakthrough ruling about separate educational facilities for black students being inherently unequal. The museum has so much information about that historic court case, what led up to it and where we've come since then.

Way back in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality. A unanimous decision that the policy violated the Fourteenth Amendment under the Equal Protection Clause. This decision paved the way for the Civil Rights movement. The Brown family, a family of black Americans here in Topeka, filed the suit after the local school district refused to enroll their daughter in the school closest to their home. Instead, they required her to ride a bus to a blacks-only school further away. Represented by Thurgood Marshall, who would go on to sit on the Supreme Court. There's lots to see here in the Monroe School, which is open to the public as a National Historic Site. An organized itinerary took me through the auditorium, an exhibit gallery showing the history to this point, another gallery showing the Civil Rights Movement that followed and the original kindergarten room that has been restored to its 1954 appearance. There is also a bookstore with appropriate materials. Well worth the visit. [Review 11425 overall, 1203 of 2019.]

Important and well run historical site, excellent rangers and facilities. Very glad that I was able to bring my child.

We came by here on the way to AAU Junior Olympics from Texas. Being a history teacher, I wanted to educate myself a little more on this really important Supreme Court case. First I want to compliment the staff and park rangers who run this place and educate the visitors. Whoever came up with the fun interactive activities is a genius and I will be stealing some of your ideas for my class. The park rangers are knowledgeable and some of the friendliest rangers I have ever met. Jeffrey took the time to talk to us and help my son with his Junior Ranger activities, and talked to my son about being a park ranger. I wish I remembered the names of the other nice gentlemen that were working there, but everyone was great. My compliments also to whoever set up the museum in the way that you did. I loved how you utilized each room in the schoolhouse to tell different aspects of the fight to end segregation in the school system. Also, if you are knowledgeable about Kenneth and Mamie Clark's doll tests, they have one of the four dolls on display in a display case. I just read a book on the history of the tests they did, and this added to what I learned from the book. Overall, this place was just amazing. It was very clean (even the bathrooms), welcoming, and educational. They actually had quite a few people visiting when were there too. If you have an appetite to learn, and are willing to drive into Topeka, you must visit this place.

I have been taking trips to all the National monuments, parks, rivers, and other historic sites. Usually love the informative people the great exhibits and learning about each location and the great history changing events. Was disappointed to see a whole room with a wall of current events/political opinion pieces about things going on presently not historic and it just had an awkward negative controversial feel to it. That was made worse by an uncomfortable debate/confrontation going on in the doorway. I guess that's the atmosphere they are going for. Also it smells horrible in the building, so much so that I went through too fast.

There isn't a ton in terms of historical/educational locations around, and given the importance of the historical site, coming here is well worth the time. If you work in the education/legal field, you most definitely need to visit. The museum is clean, organized, and comfortable. Having the museum at one of the original schools that the case stemmed from made visiting more significant. The exhibits can evoke emotions but are informative and educational. There's a video you can watch about the history of the subject. Other than that, there are a few rooms with exhibits, which you can cover fairly quickly. You'll get a good sense of the time period and the case without feeling like it's tedious.

Great local treasure! Learned a lot even though I've taking Constitutional law classes.

It was pretty interesting. Of course I always love going into old buildings/ historical sites so I liked it. The old classrooms and hallways and bathrooms I loved. There was a cool display in a couple of the rooms that really made me think. Seemed like it could be better but it might have just been me not spending the right amount of time on it. Because I went with a class and had a weird tour.

Stopped by a couple weeks ago but unfortunately the inside was closed due to COVID. I did reach out prior to going and was promptly advised of the closure. I still took a drive by and walked the grounds. The grounds were well maintained. I enjoyed reading some of the history that was on the podiums outside of the school. I really wish the inside was open but would like to stop back in the future if ever in the area.

This is an excellent museum, remarking a hugely important decision and step forward toward a more perfect union. Inspiring, sad and hopeful all at once - we need to never forget the need to continuously work toward, fight for, and some will even need to die to make our world and our America a better place for all.

A great piece of history that is inside a wonderfully preserved school building from the mid 20th century. Everything that you need to know about the civil rights movement, segregation, Thurgood Marshall and America's dark side. A great place to take that racist family member for re-training. The double sided video walkthrough is un-nerving with images of attack dogs, screaming crowds and politicians, and lynching. How people lived thru that with any dignity is mind boggling. A great job of connecting us viscerally to a time that many don't remember and some try to forget. Upstairs there was also an exhibit on Native Americans and sports. It's free, it can be done quickly and it's life affirming/changing. No excuse not to stop when in the area.

Great for kids to learn a bit of history. Interactive displays are everywhere, with informative videos about the Brown v. Board of Education story. There's also a great gift shop with books, videos, posters, postcards... things to take home and read/learn from. I'd highly recommend this free excursion to anyone with young children or teens, as a school activity or an extracurricular. Be sure to take a picture with the tiny drinking fountains at one end of the building -- they are adorable!! They are the original drinking fountains of the elementary school, just cleaned up a little.

A nice free thing to do alone or with the family. I do not know where to begin with this place. It is a national monument and oversaw by the National Park Service. The Park Ranger on site could not have been more friendly. I loved this placed. It was well preserved and very educational. I did not have a clue that Topeka was the start of Brown vs. the Board of Education. The movie they have on loop in the auditorium is a must see. And I almost skipped it. You can also learn about the five cases that ultimately lead to Brown v Board of Ed and see a replica kindergarten class. The is free parking across the street from the school and a huge mural adjacent to the building. They have a small gift shop. The monument is not very big space wise, but has pack a lot to see with in its walls. This a big part of history and is a must see, not just for blacks, but for all races. This place truly deserves every one of the five stars I gave it. Now go see it. Free parking, free admission, open 7 days a week, and you learn something. Can't beat that.

I grew up in Topeka and now live in Memphis. I regularly visit the National Civil Rights Museum which captures the life of MLK Jr., SNCC, CORE, and the larger civil rights movement. The content and collection are detailed and can be overwhelming--it is a multiple visit experience. The Brown V Board site was a surprisingly well-balanced approach to documenting the specific contributions of Brown v. Board in the context of the larger civil rights movement. Although more detail could be provided about various organizing groups like SNCC and CORE, this exhibit was approachable, informative, and well done.

I honestly became quite pissed quite quick while viewing this exhibit. I am very sensitive to emotional exhibits, and did not prepare myself for what might await me inside this museum. It's just that I don't get how this country has dedicated so many resources, time, and energy, to pass laws that kill the souls of other people because of this tremendous phenomenon called skin color and culture. It's unimaginable. . .and yet it happened. So, here I am, getting super pissed and emotional just walking through an exhibit. I have no idea how people LIVED this every day; so grateful I don't have to. Courageous people. And we still have a long way to go. . .there are still those in this country who are not living free. So, the exhibit itself is very well organized, and thorough. The visuals and memorabilia obviously create emotion and super opportunities for learning. I especially appreciate what I call the decompression room. An area dedicated to expressing your thoughts about the exhibit through art. I honestly needed this outlet, and was encouraged to take the anger and use it in a healthy way. Brilliant idea whoever thought of that. Everyone at the site was super helpful and friendly. I picked up a book at the bookstore, and got my US parks passport book stamped. Prepare yourself, and then visit. It's not fun, but it is important.

Yesterday, Eric R. and I were in route from MHK to KC and decided to stop in Topeka for this National Historic Site. It is not far off I-70 and has ample parking. Open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, the original Monroe Elementary School is the museum site for the Brown v Board monumental decision. I learned from my visit here that this was actually 5 lawsuits that came together as one when argued in the U.S. Supreme Court. There were some signs to read in the parking area, and immediately upon entering the school, we were greeted by a park service employee/ranger. He gave us an introduction and answered some questions, providing us a layout of the museum. In several rooms, there were timelines from the 1800s to present about racism in the U.S. Each room was very interactive. In the school's auditorium, we watched some short video on "Race and the American Creed" - the room was very fancy and had multiple screens in use showing different things during the video clips. We also visited an original Kindergarten classroom. There were some displays about Ferguson asking people to answer some questions about the situation there. The most interesting thing to me was in one of the interactive rooms. There was a screen that allowed me to push a button to learn about each of the 5 lawsuits that came together - some of which I had never heard of before. The history and courage we learned about in these videos were amazing and monumental. It is really hard for me to believe sometimes that some of the terrible mindset in our society happened in the 60s which just is not that long ago, considering we had opportunities for minorities during the Civil War (like higher education institutions open to minorities) and great lawyers (like Thurgood Marshall) yet for some reason, separate but equal was okay. What is interesting about Topeka is that the schools for Blacks were as nice as the schools for Whites, with nice books, desks, and great teachers, but in other communities, that was not the case. Regardless, the decision of separate is inherently unequal paved the way for integration not just in schools but in other avenues. Though Topeka's school board was embarrassed to be named in this case, it is truly remarkable that this case made significant changes not just to education but in American culture and society as well. I would definitely stop here when you are passing through on I-70.

I visited the Brown v. Board National Historic Site on the same trip as Little Rock Central High School and they nicely complimented each other. In case you weren't aware, Brown V. Board of Ed. was a group of cases from 5 states that challenged "separate but equal" in regards to education. It was a watershed case because once "separate but equal" was struck down dealing with education, then civil rights activists slowly chipped away at the rest of Jim Crow until the Congress finally passed laws banishing Jim Crow. Well, the "Board of Ed." in the famous case was the Topeka Board of Education. The NHS here commemorates the landmark ruling and shows a typical elementary school in the historically "black" are of Topeka. The school is not really very impressive except that it's well maintained. It does show the separation of "White" and "Colored" facilities. The real jewel of the site is the classrooms filled with displays talking about racism and the civil rights movement in the country. Looking back I aways thought that the once the flood gates were opened, the country changed completely. In actuality, there were many small victories and small challenges against the status quo until eventually the law changed. I find it amazing that Brown v. Board was decided in 1955 but it wasn't really enforced until the showdown at Little Rock Central High School a decade later. The rangers at this site are nice and helpful. The best part of this site is that it's totally free. It's an especially great site for children. There's a lot of information, displays and media aimed towards children that would be appropriate from 5th grade to high school. If you're in Topeka, take a short detour away from downtown and step back in time. We've come a long way as a country and it's the amazing places that remind us not to go backwards and to appreciate all the hard work of the individuals before us.

Like always, national parks sites are amazing. This small park is very educational and very well done! I learned so much about the historic case. The park rangers here are some of the best and are extremely knowledgeable and are great teachers! It is a free site. If you have kids, or if you don't, grab a junior ranger book before you start to explore! These activities will help you learn as you go and at the end you can earn a national park badge!

The Museum that Everyone across The United Staes should flock to visit! Not Everyone knows what this place even is, which is mind baffling to me. It is strange that the children and even college graduates do not even know that this place even exists and take their civil rights for granted

Very neat! I loved how you get to see the original school. A lot is still intact. Very educational and interactive. We have a long way to go, but we are making progress. Thanks for preserving history Topeka! "I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls." ― Martin Luther King Jr., I Have A Dream

What a great place. Add this to the list of museums where I have sniffled embarrassingly through at least a quarter of the exhibition. The time line is striking, not only because of everything that was accomplished in such a relatively short about of time, but also because of everything that has yet to be accomplished. As others have noted, the Site is tucked away and only accessible to those who know what they're looking for. For me, this made the message all the more powerful. The Civil Rights Movement is well documented and has a strong presence in school history books, and yet there is always more to any received story, and it's important to have places like this to expand on what we thought we knew. This is a must see for anyone visiting Eastern Kansas.

I visited this museum on a recent trip to Kansas. Monroe Elementary is located near downtown Topeka, KS. It was the first school desegregated as a result of Brown v. Board of Education. Monroe Elementary was chosen for desegregation because the racial tension in Topeka was not as severe as the other cases in the south and east. The school has been renovated back to the way it looked at the time of desegregation. There are three information rooms and a large auditorium with short films. There are timelines and interative kiosks. The presentation is excellent and it is very informative not only on the history of Brown v Board, but also the Civil Rights movement in general. I wish I would have allowed more time to visit. If I were to go back I would allow at least 2 hours. It is definitely worth the trip if you are in the area.

I have been wanting to come here for years. We finally did it the other day. Admission is free and it is a well-maintained and informative museum. The NPS folks were friendly and helpful. This is an incredible free opportunity to learn something, bring your children. A safe environment for learning and witnessing part of America's past when we weren't tolerant or fair.

This is more than a museum that tells the story of the Brown v. Board case. It is a story of the ongoing civil rights struggle. This was originally the school to where Ms. Brown was forced to attend rather than the Sumner School within sight of the Brown home. It is moving and meaningful place.

I am a total sucker for historic sites, especially ones that are sooooo (yes 5 o's!) important to me and our pretty stellar nation. This site is actually part of our National Parks and staffed by Rangers, so that is pretty cool, plus the time and thought put into this historic place is obvious. Housed in the actual school house, you're put right into the mindset necessary to fully take in the whole exhibit. I found it very impact-full that a "white" and "colored" sign immediately greeted you upon entering the building. That hit me hard, especially since I was there to attend a Naturalization Ceremony. What a powerful statement, a reminder that we are not that far removed from an America that was in-fact NOT equal. It was an important reminder that we can never let our history be forgotten, it's too important. This site is highly educational, well organized and great for adults and children! Bring a sack lunch to spend some time in the actual park area; bring your kids so they can begin to understand how important our history is and bring your self so that you can learn and also be reminded of how precious equality is.

Ranger Dexter was great and really challenged us on how the lawyers argued separate but equal was unconstitutional.

Very well-designed. The museum i smeant to be interactive- the museum designers did well in packing tons of information into the spaces. I did not have time to explore it all so I can't say whether it shows all perspectives to anyone's satisfaction, but the fact that it is in an actual school house was more illustrative. I hope I can come back and spend 2-3 hours here someday instead of just 10 minutes.

Very beautiful. Very enlightening. Very thought-provoking. This little gem is very worth a couple hours of everyone's time. Even if there wasn't plenty of free parking and free admission (but there is,) the importance of the subject matter and the quality of the displays and facilities make this a wonderful place to see the ugly side of segregation, and helps us to consider how far we have come, yet how far we still have to go.

If you do everything, including watch the video, you'll only be here about 90 minutes. The entire building is very well kept and clean, the information is reliable and directly pertains to the establishment. The museum itself is good but the layout is weird for the timeline. However, everything else was good.

I went here not knowing what to expect - but it is a really great historic site. Amanda S.'s review captures my sentiments quite well. The museum really immerses you in the feelings and experiences that were going on at that time, and being housed in the old school helps add to the feeling. The exhibits offer you the opportunity to experience history far more realistically than reading out of a book. One hint - we went on a Friday evening. The site is sometimes open late as part of First Fridays. We only had an hour to explore - I would suggest at least 2 hours to really check everything out. Take time to use the interactive displays, such as the computer in the first display. They also house other relevant exhibits in part of the museum - when we visited they had "From Mexico to America: Through the Eyes of Kansas Artists."

I have to say, I have a real soft spot for this place. I sang here at the dedication ceremony as part of the Williams Magnet School show choir, and we were the first kids to go through the museum. Everything is interactive and really interesting! Don't skip this gem. There's a lot of history here, for kids and adults alike.

I was in the area for work and decided to take in some history, this was a great decision. As I walked in I was greeted immediately by a wonderful young lady who gave me a personal tour since I was early for the next tour. The experience was emotional and harsh but inspiring to know that we have progressed. It was a great representation of black oppression.

The presentation of what went on here is humble. This was no small case. It's hard to believe it went down in my hometown of Topeka. Sadly, I wonder how many people even know it's there? It isn't advertised all that well. The building has held up well- tax dollars, I assume, have paid off in this regard. I enjoyed taking my children and discussing with them what went on inside this building so long ago. No small event. I would recommend this spot to anyone. It's worth checking out and my guess is you'll leave a little better off for knowing what at least some went through in the struggle for Civil Rights.

Took the kids (5 ages 3-11) for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2012 because the cub scout needed to go to a historic location and I wanted them to learn more about our countries struggle for Civil Rights. They have a Jr. Ranger program that is very doable for older elementary & middle school aged children that helps guide them through the exhibits. The school is still very much intact and the displays are very, very well done. They do a great job of showing what was happening in the country in the early 50s and where the civil rights movement is today. While I went with young kids, there is much more there that adults would be interested in. They have done a nice job of making the history accessible to school kids, and getting visitors to think about their participation in civil rights today.

This place is immaculate. It is as if we were going to school in the 1950's. This is a great place to check out if you are into history.

Fascinating museum. There's an video display on a loop, both sides of a narrow walkway, that gives such a strong feeling of what it must have felt like to students walking through angry protesters as they entered their schools -- brought me almost to tears. Definitely worth a visit if you're driving across Kansas on I-70. The museum is only a few minutes off the highway, parking is ample.

There's not a whole lot going on in Topeka, so this site was definitely appreciated on my drive through Kansas. The exhibits are housing in the schoolhouse that made the Brown v. Board of Education case famous. There are lots of interactive exhibits, so it is a good place for kids and adults alike. There are also places for you to reflect and share your thoughts about segregation and injustice. Most of all, the site is totally free, making it even better.