brown v. board of education national historic site

626phillipn

everything you need to know is recorded here about the beginning of civil rights movement & rev. dr. martin luther king jr. explore on your own or take the guided tour - I highly recommend you don't leave without seeing the historical site.

CarolM278

This museum, a school house used for the first Kindergarten in Topeka, is a great history lesson for adults, high school age, and maybe some middle school groups; small children would not enjoy it. If you do not know much about the education of black Americans in the 1800's or the thought behind have Kindergartens here in the US this will be of interest to you. Kansas was on the tipping point of the Civil War and rights for minorities so the state brings together both sides of the rights issues. Many more locations in the Topeka and Lawrence area will help you understand the two sides. This is a National museum so not fee is charged. Tours are conducted by very knowledgeable National museum staff.

Melissa80020

This is a small museum that has TONS of information about desegregation and human rights. My children were a little bored since they don't really understand the issues involved. I wouldn't drive too far out of my way for this museum, but it was interesting and had a lot of great information and was a good reminder of how far we have come in the last few decades.

LeaB895

Small historic site, but the exhibits are really powerful. A video experience gives background information about the struggle for basic human rights, but the area I found most moving was the walk-through screens showing news reel footage from Central High School in Little Rock. It brought me to tears.

LadyGunslinger1

Love the history here! I had studied this subject in school (way back when) and knew this was here, but had never gotten the opportunity to visit before. Was in town to pick up someone from the train station so we made the short trip over to this and did the tour. Nice exhibits. I'd recommend it.

407elizabethg

I absolutely loved this historic site. It is great for anyone who is really interested in American History. The exhibits are very thorough and take you through the entire history of the civil rights movement. I wish there had been a tour or a bit more detail about the people involved in Brown vs. Board of Education, but I still absolutely loved the site. I was traveling by myself and the woman in the gift shop was kind enough to do a small photo shoot for me. This site is located about an hour away from Kansas City, but it is an easy drive. I stopped at the University of Kansas and explored on my way back to Kansas City. If you are in the area at all I would recommend taking the time to go to this site.

Lakedale1

We're glad that you could visit Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.

CSIJWyman

This school has been renovated for this museum in such a classy way! Everything was done very orderly. Made it easy to keep up with the history of things.

northee

We stopped thinking there would be a plaque or statue at this site. What it is instead is an amazing building with lots of videos. It not only describes the impact of the court case, but details its setting in the equality movement and has historical info about efforts before and after the 1954 Supreme Court decision.The staff is superb! The director called us inside 10 minutes before the posted opening time, saying no need to keep us waiting and that "service" is in the agency's name!

881dianet

I have taken students many times. It is interactive and provides many audio-visual presentations. Kids and adults will learn something.

Caljake

As a teacher, it was great to stumble upon this national site; the young man who greeted me at the door was knowledgeable and super sweet. The school itself is charming and I loved how the pine floors creaked as I walked through the exhibits. Lots here also devoted to civil rights in general, aside from Brown v. BOE

TravelIntl

We spent about an hour at this museum in an old elementary school. There were some good videos and displays about the civil rights movement. Watch the videos about the 5 lawsuits that were combined into the Brown vs. Board of Education case.

judoha

Wonderful opportunity to teach visitors about school segregation. The site is a former colored elementary school that has been restored.

LudwigL395

I visited this former elementary school building while waiting to meet up with local family. I really enjoyed the experience which included films, photos and displays. There is so much history for such a small space. The classrooms are laid out with time lines and photos chronicling the U.S. Civil Rights struggle and brings to life the experiences of individuals involved in the original court case in Topeka and key events leading up to the end of laws requiring that blacks and whites be separated by race for schooling. This Supreme Court ruling was the foundation for the subsequent Civil Rights Movement. I am not big on U.S. History, especially the painful parts but I recommend this history lesson. This Historic Site presents our history in an interactive and informative way.

JeanneMY

Lots of videos and displays. It really gave us a feel for what it took for the courageous people involved to move our country forward.