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 site open?
The site opened on May 17, 2004 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision ending desegregation, 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 site 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 site?
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 site.
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 Site?
No. However, in Independence, Missouri does sell the pass (80 miles east of Topeka). The pass may also be purchased online from the National Park Foundation at . For more information on the National Parks Pass and other entrance passes that are available, please visit the National Park Service website at
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