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Internet & Cellular Access Details

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Monroe School last used as a school?

The school closed in 1975 due to declining enrollment.

How many elementary schools were in Topeka in 1954?

There were eighteen elementary schools for Whites and four for Blacks.

When did the park open?

The park opened on May 17, 2004, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the historic US Supreme Court decision that declared segregation by race in public schools is unconstitutional.

How many plaintiffs were involved in the case?

There were more than 150 plaintiffs across the country.

Why is the case named Brown v. Board of Education?

The US Supreme Court consolidated five cases under one name, Oliver L. Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka et al. One justice later explained that the court felt it was better to have representative cases from different parts of the country.

When did this park become part of the National Park System?

President George Bush signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Act of 1992, establishing a national park at the site of the former Monroe Elementary School. President Joseph R. Biden signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park Expansion and Redesignation Act in May 2022.

Why was the Monroe School selected for the park?

The privately owned building was advertised to be auctioned. Members of the Brown Foundation saw the auction sign and went through the Congressional process necessary to constitute a historical park.

Is there an entrance fee?

Admission is free. A donation box is available in the visitor center.

Can I buy the National Parks Pass at Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park?

No. However, several sites across Kansas sell the passes. For more details on how to purchase a pass, please visit the USGS Online Store. For more information on the National Parks Pass and other entrance passes that are available, please visit the National Park Service website at https://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm

Are there any parking fees? Where is the parking location? If we purchased a National Park Pass, can we utilize the pass?

No, there are no parking fees. You do not need a pass to get into the park. It is free. The parking lot is located right across the street from Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park and it is free and open to the public.

Is there nearby lodging and dining areas?

Local lodging and dining information can be found on the Visit Topeka Inc. website.

Are there ranger-led tours or lectures? Is there a schedule of events?

We can provide you with a tour or lecture. You can view our list of events on our website or on Facebook.

How many visitor centers are there? What days are they staffed and open? What are the times? Is there a park store at the visitor center? Are there any exhibits or films?

We have one visitor center here at Brown. v Board of Education National Historical Park. We have a park store operated by Western National Parks Association. The visitor center and park store are open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. There is one film and it is called Race and the American Creed. Exhibits are in the Road to Brown rooms and the Legacy Gallery on the first floor of the visitor center.

Are there any trails in the vicinity?

There is a trail that is adjacent to the parking lot of Brown v. Board of Education NHP. It is called Landon Trail and it connects with the Shunga Trail, which goes all over the city of Topeka. Visit here for more information.

What time zone is Brown v. Board of Education NHP?

We are in the central time zone.

Are there other NPS sites nearby that we may visit?

The closest national park sites to Topeka are Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, KS, and Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence, MO.

How many cancellation stamps are available? Which year-stamp series-has Brown v. Board of Education NHP?

There are eight stamps available. The park is featured in the 2025 sheet of national stamps.

 

Additional Information

Whether you have 30 minutes or several hours at the site, learn more about the history of segregation in America, the Brown v. Board of Education decision, and the legacy of the case around the world. For more information about the exhibits, click here.

COVID-19

Guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are subject to changing local conditions and federal guidelines. Currently, masks are optional at the park and the visitor center is operating normally; however, please call ahead for additional guidelines that may impact your visit.

Pets

Only service animals are allowed within Brown v. Board of Education NHP. No other animals are allowed on the site property.

Visitor Parking

Visitor parking is available in the visitor parking lot on the east side of the site. Please use the sidewalk located on the south side of the parking lot to walk to the site.

Visitor accessible parking is available in the reserved parking lot on the west side of the site. Please use the sidewalk to enter the site from the front on Monroe Street.

Items Not Allowed

No food, drinks, or gum are allowed within Brown v. Board of Education NHP. Also, please do not bring backpacks into the site.

No Smoking

Smoking is not allowed within 25 feet of the site.

Firearms Policy

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site is a federal site. Firearms are prohibited – both concealed and open carry – inside all federal facilities in the state, including National Park Service sites. Click here for more information.