Brown v. Board of Education
National Historical Park
Welcome!
Hope and courage fill the story of Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal segregation in public schools. The plaintiffs in the case never realized they could change history. The teachers, secretaries, welders, ministers, and students simply wanted to be treated equally.
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Explore the Park
The Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park preserves the legacy of the pivotal 1954 Supreme Court case of the same name. The park, located in Kansas, was once Monroe Elementary School, one of four segregated schools serving Topeka’s African American community. Oliver Brown, activist and father to Nicole Brown, was one of 13 parents who filed suit against the Board of Education of Topeka, concerned that their children had to be bused far from their neighborhoods to attend a segregated school. On May 15, 1954, the Warren Court handed down a unanimous decision that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Monroe Elementary School was closed in 1975 because of decreasing enrollment. The Brown Foundation fought to save Monroe Elementary School from being sold at auction, successfully petitioning local congressional leadership to secure the property as a National Historic Landmark and, in 1993, as a National Historic Site. In 2022, the Brown v. Board National Historic Site was expanded and redesignated as a national historical park, preserving more deeply the history of this most important court decision.
WNPA has provided more than
$136 million
in aid to our partner parks to fund educational programs, initiatives, and scientific research
Kids in Parks
National parks are places where kids can dream up great adventures! Taking in amazing scenery. Testing out new skills. Exploring places kids may have only heard about. But most importantly, creating new memories with friends and family.
Stories from all parks
Our public lands are our public commons. They belong to all of us as part of our natural and cultural heritage. They remind us of a larger world that has existed long before the arrival of humans and will survive long after we are gone. –Terry Tempest Williams, Author & Conservationist
Related Parks
Bring the Parks Home
When you can’t get to a national park for a visit, experience it from the comfort of your home. WNPA’s online store is packed with ranger-approved park collectibles, books, toys, and clothing. Shop for a special item.
