top of page

Brown v. Board National Park

In the fall of 1991, The Brown Foundation successfully led an effort resulting in the U.S. Dept. of Interior designating Monroe Elementary School building as a National Historic Landmark. The Foundation worked with the Kansas Congressional delegation to introduce legislation adding the Monroe Elementary School building to the roster of National Parks.  With the passage of the legislation, on October 26, 1992, President George W. Bush signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Act of 1992 establishing this school as a national park. The Brown v. Board National Historic Site was dedicated and opened May 17, 2004 on the 50th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Oliver L. Brown et al vs. the Board of Education of Topeka (KS), et al.  Since the original legislation, the site has been expanded to encompass the companion case sites in Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

​​​​

​Visit the National Park Service website here.

​

​View a list of national park highlights below or view an online photo gallery of exhibits in the National Historic Site here.

 

The gallery will help show you what you can find at the National Park. But, visit the National Historic Site in person to experience the full power of the Brown v. Board story along with any updates.  The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).  Admission is free.

01-01-exterior.jpg
National Park Highlights

The First Floor houses the public areas of the National Historic Site, including the bookstore and restrooms.  The Brown v. Board story is told in four galleries:

  • Race and the American Creed

  • Education and Justice

  • The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education

  • Expressions and Reflections

​

Race and the American Creed

Most visitors begin their tour watching the film Race and the American Creed, shown in the former school auditorium. This 25-minute film runs continuously in the gallery.  Visitors may watch it in one sitting or take a break, visit other galleries, and then return.  Each five-minute chapter highlights an aspect of African American history in the United States and the civil rights movement.  Nicole visits her grandfather's friend to learn more about "how this 'black/white' thing got started" and to better understand the American creed of freedom and equality.  As the film unfolds, an icon in the gallery is illuminated.  Visitors are encouraged to next visit Education and Justice at the north end of the hallway.

​​

Education and Justice (north side)

The Education and Justice gallery was formerly several classrooms (including the 8th grade classroom).  The exhibits on the north wall in this gallery discuss the development of segregation in the United States, particularly in the public schools.  Topics covered on the north wall are:

  • Public Education in the New Nation

  • The Impact of Immigration

  • Discrimination Against People of Color

  • Frederick Douglass

  • Pre-Civil War African American Schools

  • Educational Opportunities for African Americans

  • Higher Aims

  • The Backlash

  • Segregation in Education
     

The center of the gallery contains the Hall of Courage, a multi-media presentation showing scenes and sounds from some of the critical confrontations of the Civil Rights Movement, including the experiences of African American children and teenagers desegregating white schools and colleges.  Note: the Hall can be an intense experience for some because of the strong language and images.  Adults accompanying children may want to go through the Hall to determine if it is appropriate for the children in their group.

​

Education and Justice (south side)

The Five Lawsuits exhibit consists of video presentations and a map showing pre-Brown segregation. The exhibits on the south wall in this gallery further discuss the events and strategy leading to the decision in Brown v. Board.  Topics covered on the south wall are:

  • Early Challenges to Segregation

  • Charles Hamilton Houston

  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund

  • The 1954 Supreme Court Decision

  • Targeting Segregation

  • Community Activism

  • Decision Day

  • The Front Line

  • Implementing the Supreme Court Decision

 

The next stop on the tour is The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education at the south end of the hallway.

 

The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education (north wall)

The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education gallery was formerly several classrooms.  The exhibits on the north wall in this gallery discuss post-Brown strategies and activities to fulfill Brown's promise of ending segregation.  Topics covered on the north wall include:

  • Medgar Evers

  • Protest in the Face of Intimidation

  • Gifted and Diverse Leadership

  • The Civil Rights Act, 1964

  • Marching for the Vote

  • The Voting Rights Act, 1965

  • Fannie Lou Hamer

  • African Americans in Political Office

​

The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education (south wall)

The exhibits on the south wall in this gallery discuss the importance of Brown in influencing the rights of all individuals throughout the world, including the right to an education.  Topics covered on the south wall include:

  • Implementing Integration in Education

  • Brown's Legislative Legacy

  • Brown's Impact on Curriculum

  • Unfinished Business

  • Enshrining Education as a Right

  • Defying Prohibition of Education

  • Global Intolerance

  • Education is a Human Right

 

Across the hall is Expressions and Reflections.

​​

Expressions and Reflections

The Expressions and Reflections gallery was formerly the kindergarten classroom. In this gallery, visitors have the opportunity to record their reactions to the information found in the exhibits.

​

The Book Store

The Book Store is at the north end of the hallway and was formerly the school's kitchen. The Book Store, operated by the Western National Parks Association, sells a wide range of books, videos, and posters for all age groups.

bottom of page