It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, which may be the most consequential U.S. Supreme Court action in history.
The story’s told with sensitivity and nuance at one of the top things to do in Topeka KS, the federal Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas.
As visitors learn, the unanimous ruling ended legal segregation in public schools, declaring that the “separate but equal” schools were inherently unequal.
Evidence included segregated schools located in tar paper shacks, without running water or heat. Textbooks and facilities were outdated and substandard, if they existed at all.
The decision altered communities, large and small, and led to changes still felt today.
The lawsuit, brought by the NAACP and officially titled Oliver Brown, et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et al. was based on combined several suits brought against school desegregation. The case had 33 plaintiffs, including Barbara Johns, whose moving story is told in Farmville, Virginia.
The NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall, would go on to become the first Black Supreme Court justice. But first he was to make history for his legal arguments in front of the court.
The main plaintiff in the case, Oliver Brown, a welder and assistant pastor, filed the suit because his daughter Linda had to travel 21 blocks to her elementary school, although the family lived only seven blocks from a white school.
But many other stories were included in the lawsuit, like Ruth Ann “Tootie” Scales Everett, who tried unsuccessfully to enroll in fourth grade at Parkdale Elementary, which was only two blocks from her home. But instead of had to travel much farther to the segregated d Monroe Elementary School that she attended. That school is now home to the Brown vs. Board of Education historic site.
The park site does an admirable job breaking down the history, starting with a 30-minute film, Race and the American Creed, exploring the history of racism and segregation. The Education and Justice hall introduces the Black community leaders who fought for integration through several films and displays. Some of the historic film footage is not suitable for visitors under 12.
But young visitors aren’t overlooked. The restored kindergarten classroom shows what it was like for students to attend the segregated school.
Don’t forget to talk to the park rangers, who many visitors say are the highlight of the park. They know the history, and know how to make it relatable.
Here’s a video laying out the story:
Guidebook
Topeka is about an hour west of Kansas City, Missouri, home to sites like the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum.
Find the one of the top things to do in Topeka KS, and other travel info here.
Kansas travel info here.
Lodging
The Senate Luxury Suites, a historic boutique hotel, offers fun, stylish lodging not far from the Brown site. It offers a breakfast buffet, free Internet and two-bedroom suites.
Clubhouse Inn & Suites – Topeka gets top-ratings for its pool, and location near Tokeka KS attractions, like the Kansas Museum of History and Kaw River State Park.
Dining
Kansas is known for its barbecue, and you can get a flavorful introduction at Lonnie Q’s BBQ. Open Monday-Friday for lunch only, and Friday for dinner. 3150 SE 21st St, Topeka, KS 66607, 785-233-4227
And here’s a fun local dining guide from the Food Network.