On October 26, 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-525, establishing Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site to commemorate the landmark Supreme Court decision aimed at ending segregation in public schools. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously declared that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal" and, as such, violate the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees all citizens "equal protection of the laws."

The site is located at Monroe Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas. Monroe was the segregated school attended by the lead plaintiff's daughter, Linda Brown, when Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was initially filed in 1951.

PLANNING:

Upon completion of a major renovation effort, the school will be open to the public as an interpretive and resource center for information about Brown v. Board of Education and its role in the civil rights movement.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
The Monroe School is not yet open to the public, visitors are invited to visit the park headquarters, located on the second floor of the Main Post Office at 424 South Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka.

Audio-visual programs, exhibits and literature are offered. There is also a research library that can be used by the public.

A variety of tours and off-site interpretive programs are available through the National Park Service and a cooperative agreement with the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research.

The passport cancellation stamp for the site is located at the park headquarters, Suite 215.

OPERATING HOURS:

8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday year around. Closed on Federal Holidays.

VISITATION:

Visitation figures are not yet available.

LOCATION:

Shawnee County, Topeka, Kansas.

DIRECTIONS:

The park headquarters and visitor contact center is located in Topeka, Kansas approximately 55 miles west of Kansas City, Kansas. Take 1-70 west to Topeka and then take the downtown exit on I-70. Take exite 361 A, (4th street exit). Turn left on to 4th street and continue until Kansas Ave. Turn left on to Kansas Ave., the Old Post Office Building is on the corner of Kansas Avenue.

Parking for 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 3 hours are avilable at the front of of the U.S. Federal Post OFfice Building on both sides of Kansas Avenue.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission fee. Donations are accepted.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS: