Frequently Asked Questions

More questions about the case itself can be found at:

Common Misconceptions: Fact or Fiction

 

 

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 white schools and four black schools.

When did the park open?

The park opened on May 17, 2004 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended segregation, Brown v. Board of Education.

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 U.S. Supreme Court consolidated five cases under one name, Oliver L. Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka et al., for ending segregation. 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.

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 Historic Park?

No. However, several 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 Historic 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 Trolley tours of the neighborhood around the school

There are no Trolley Tours at this time.

Are there Ranger lead 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.

Are there bike rentals?

Unfortunately, no. the Topeka Metro Bike Rental program has been discontinued.

How many visitor centers are there? What days are they staffed and open? What are the times? Are there gift shops available at each Visitor Center? Are there any exhibits or films?

We have one visitor center here at Brown. v Board of Education National Historic Park. We have a gift shop which is ran by the Western National Parks Association. The visitor center and gift shop are open from 9:00a.m-5:00p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. There is one film and it is called Race and the American Creed. There are exhibits in the Education and Justice gallery and the Legacy gallery which are located on the visitor center.

Are there any trails in the vicinity?

There is a trail that is right behind 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 other nearby National Parks are Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, KS. The other one is the 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 3 passport stamps here. We have Brown v. Board, the centennial stamp and the Solar Car races stamp.

When is the park open?

We are currently open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides our schedule is subject to change. You can find our most up-to-date hours of operation on the Basic Information page.
Traditionally, the Brown v. Board of Education NHP has been open 362 days each year, provided that there is no government shutdown. We are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.