Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

Monroe Elementary School is a school building in Topeka that became the center of a landmark court case in 1954 regarding school segregation. Today the building is part of a national park that documents struggles for equal opportunity in education.

In 1954 the Supreme Court ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional, citing a case connected to this school. This decision marked a turning point for the rights of Black students across the nation.

The exhibitions here show how Black families fought for equal access to quality education and what role the community played in this struggle. Visitors can today understand how this place became a symbol of hope for change.

The park is easy to reach on foot and offers free admission with guided tours available. Visitors should plan time to walk through exhibitions and explore the grounds comfortably.

The park system connects this location with four other schools in different states, all playing roles in desegregation history. This network structure shows that the fight for equal opportunity did not happen in just one place.

Location: Topeka

Inception: 1992

Website: https://nps.gov/brvb

GPS coordinates: 39.03810,-95.67640

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44