Located in Kansas, the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site is the home of Monroe Elementary School, which was previously a segregated grade school. In 1992, this school was declared a historic site thanks to its involvement in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court Case. Today, you can view this school and engage in outdoor activities such as picnicking. There’s a historic playground and backstop as well as a few hiking options. The school has an auditorium that features a film about race, and there are several other exhibits to view while you’re visiting this historic site.
The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site is located in Topeka, and renting an RV is a convenient and wonderful way of exploring this particular historic location. When renting, you’ll have multiple campground options where you can set up your RV. Renting an RV from RVshare makes this area very easy to explore, and just about every type of RV, from teardrop trailers to Class A motorhomes, is available.
Since this site was so important to the Civil Rights Movement, you’ll find a few interesting places to visit. The Kindergarten Room is the home of the original kindergarten, and it has been restored to its original 1954 appearance. Additionally, while here, you can also visit “The Road to Brown v Board of Education” as well as “The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education” exhibits. Each of these displays presents short films and historical installations to help educate visitors. In addition to the indoor activities, there’s also a hiking trail called the Landon Nature Trail.
Hiking TrailsThe Landon Nature Trail stretches from Lomax Junction to Topeka’s Shunga Trail and is partially paved in some areas. Along the way, you’ll encounter waterfalls and plenty of wildlife as you travel northeasterly through Shawnee County. The foliage becomes thick in some areas, especially as you make your way through the dense oak-hickory forests.
1515 SE Monroe St, Topeka, KS 6612
38 miles
Moderate
The Shunga Trail is a paved concrete path that moves easterly to SE Golden. There are several paths to take that vary in length, and bicycle riders, skateboarders, and rollerbladers are permitted. Since this is a relatively easy trail to traverse, it’s a good option for children.
3137 SE 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66605
7.63 miles
Easy
The Deer Creek Trail is a concrete trail that turns west and that meets the Shunga trail on one end. This trail is known for its views of local wetlands, and there is also a scenic lake to visit as well as more industrial views.
SE 6th and SE Deer Creek, Topeka, KS 66607
2 miles
Easy
SightseeingGage Park is a sprawling park that covers 160 acres in Topeka. In addition to the traditional outdoor activities, you can try out the Gage Park Mini Train, which is a train for children and adults to ride that has been in operation for more than 50 years. You can also visit Gage Park’s Animaland Zoo, which houses hundreds of wildlife species.
635 SW Gage Boulevard, Topeka, KS 66606
This park is a botanical garden that spans 2.5 acres. Ward-Meade is also a historic site where you can learn what life was like in the 1800s thanks to a replica log cabin, a town square, a general store, and a drug store. There are also schoolhouse sessions here for youth groups.
124 NW Fillmore St, Topeka, KS 66606
Ted Ensley Gardens is a part of Shawnee County’s Parks and Recreation, and it features thousands of plant and flower species. You can find several hiking trails here as well as rock gardens for meditation. You can also relax on the shores of Lake Shawnee.
3650 SE West Edge Road, Topeka, KS 6605
MuseumsThis is a nonprofit museum in Topeka that was opened in 2017. The museum has two stories that honor the life of stuntman Evel Knievel. You’ll find Knievel’s motorcycles, vehicles, and personal wardrobe.
2047 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, KS 66612
Another non-profit museum, the Combat Air Museum, is dedicated to the history of aerospace combat and features exhibits that celebrate everything from biplanes to fighter jets. The museum is ADA compliant and also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Staff members have restored many of the planes featured here.
7016 SE Forbes Ave, Topeka, KS 66619
Run by the Kansas Historical Society, this museum has self-guided tours and curated collections highlighting important historical events in the state. There are also hands-on galleries and special rates for seniors and active military. Children can play on the attached playground.
6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615
Nearby Shops and RestaurantsPinkadilly is an apparel store that has a large plus-size selection of clothes. Apparel ranges from options like the classic tee to the slide-slit maxi-dress. There’s a wide range of clothing sizes and options.
824 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608
At West Ridge Mall, the three anchor stores are Dillard’s, JCPenney, and the Furniture Mall of Kansas, but you’ll find a GNC, Bath and Body Works, and Victoria’s Secret as well. The mall is open until 8:00 p.m. on most days, except for Sunday when it closes at 6:00 p.m.
1801 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, KS 66604
Here, you can order dishes like honey-lime Atlantic salmon or a fried chicken with green chile gravy. Simpler meal options like meatloaf or a Cuban sandwich are also available. It also features some vegan options.
435 S Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603
Outside of adult beverages, The Wheel Barrel specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches. There are also options like soups, salads, and desserts. The restaurant offers several microbrews on tap, and it also serve cocktails and whiskey.
925 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608
From Topeka, head south on S Kansas Avenue toward 10th Avenue. Turn left after the Subway restaurant. Turn right onto Southeast Monroe St, and the destination will be on the right.
1515 SE Monroe St, Topeka, KS 6612
Fee: Entry fee $0
The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site and Preserve is an opportunity for visitors to learn more about an essential part of American history. Monroe Elementary School is presented in such a way as to provide visitors a truly in-depth view of the struggle for equality. When there, you’ll be able to watch videos, view exhibits, and see what life was like for African Americans before the end of segregation. Using an RV to travel to the site is very possible, but for larger RVs like Class A motorhomes, you may have to park and commute to the historic site.
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