Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about visiting Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park and the history of Monroe Elementary School.

Looking for information about the court case and its plaintiffs? Visit Myth or Truth to explore common misconceptions about Brown v. Board of Education.

 

 

Planning Your Visit

When is the park open?

The visitor center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Visit Operating Hours and Seasons for current information and temporary closures.

Is there an entrance fee?

No. Admission to Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park is free, and an entrance pass is not required.

Can I get an America the Beautiful pass at the park?

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park does not sell America the Beautiful passes. However, eligible visitors may obtain free Military Annual, Military Lifetime, Access, and Fourth Grade passes at the park.

Other America the Beautiful passes may be purchased online or at participating federal recreation sites. Visit Fees and Passes for eligibility requirements and current availability.

Where should I park? Is there a parking fee?

Parking is free.

The main visitor parking lot is located across the street from the visitor center on the east side of the site. Use the sidewalk along the south side of the parking lot to reach the visitor center.

Accessible parking is available in the reserved parking lot on the west side of the site. From there, use the sidewalk along Monroe Street to reach the main entrance.

Is the visitor center accessible?

Yes. The visitor center has accessible entrances, an elevator to the second floor, accessible exhibits and seating, and accommodations for visitors with hearing or visual disabilities. Accessible parking and picnic tables are also available.

Visit Accessibility for detailed information or to request an accommodation.

Are pets allowed?

Only service animals are permitted inside the visitor center. Pets are not permitted on park property.

Can I bring food, drinks, or a backpack into the visitor center?

Food, drinks, gum, and backpacks are not permitted inside the visitor center.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of the visitor center.

Are firearms allowed?

Federal law prohibits firearms and other dangerous weapons inside federal facilities, including the visitor center. This prohibition applies whether a firearm is carried openly or concealed. Signs are posted at public entrances.

What time zone is the park in?

The park is in the Central Time Zone.

Things to See and Do

What can I see at the visitor center?

The visitor center is located inside historic Monroe Elementary School. Exhibits include the Road to Brown gallery and the Legacy of Brown gallery. Visitors can also watch the park film, Race and the American Creed.

A park store operated by Western National Parks Association is located inside the visitor center.

Are ranger-led programs available?

Ranger-led programs, talks, and tours may be available. Check the park’s Calendar for scheduled programs.

Groups interested in arranging a program should contact the park in advance at 785-354-4273.

Are there trails near the park?

The Landon Trail runs adjacent to the visitor parking lot and connects with Topeka’s broader trail system. The section of the Landon Trail near the park is paved and wheelchair accessible.

Where can I find lodging and restaurants?

Information about lodging, dining, and other attractions is available from Visit Topeka.

Are there other National Park Service sites nearby?

Nearby National Park Service sites include Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, Kansas, and Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence, Missouri.

In addition to Brown v. Board of Education and Tallgrass Prairie, Kansas is home to three other national park sites: Fort Larned National Historic Site, Fort Scott National Historic Site, and Nicodemus National Historic Site. Together, these sites preserve stories of westward expansion, the frontier military, African American settlement, and the tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

Are there other places associated with Brown v. Board of Education?

In addition to the park’s sites in Kansas and South Carolina, five affiliated areas in Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., preserve places associated with the cases considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. Learn more about the park’s affiliated areas.

How many passport cancellation stamps are available?

The park currently offers eight passport cancellation stamps. Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park is also featured in the 2025 Passport® national stamp set.

About the Park and Its Historic Sites

How many elementary schools did Topeka operate at the time of the case?

Topeka operated 22 elementary schools: 18 designated for white children and four designated for Black children.

When was Monroe Elementary School last used as a school?

Monroe Elementary School closed in 1975 because of declining enrollment.

Why was Monroe Elementary School selected as the park’s original site?

Monroe Elementary School was one of four elementary schools designated for Black children in segregated Topeka and was the school attended by Linda Brown. After the privately owned building was advertised for auction, members of the Brown Foundation and other community supporters worked to preserve it and secure national recognition for its role in the case. Their efforts ultimately led Congress to establish the national historic site in 1992.

When was the park established and opened?

President George H. W. Bush signed the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Act on October 26, 1992, establishing a unit of the National Park System at Monroe Elementary School.

The park opened to the public on May 17, 2004, the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

On May 12, 2022, the site was redesignated Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. The legislation also authorized the expansion of the park to include Summerton High School and the former Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina.

What is the park’s connection to Summerton, South Carolina?

Summerton High School and the former Scott’s Branch High School are associated with Briggs v. Elliott, the South Carolina case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court as part of Brown v. Board of Education.

The National Park Service is working with local organizations and property owners to plan for the preservation and interpretation of these sites. The National Park Service does not currently own or operate the properties as visitor sites.

Can I visit the Summerton sites?

The Summerton properties are not currently open as regularly staffed National Park Service visitor sites. Public access and tour availability may be limited. Contact the park before traveling to Summerton for current information.