Sumner Elementary School

Infobox_nrhp | name =Sumner Elementary School and Monroe Elementary School
nrhp_type = nhl


caption =
location= Topeka, Kansas
lat_degrees = 39
lat_minutes = 3
lat_seconds = 29
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 95
long_minutes = 40
long_seconds = 56
long_direction = W
locmapin = Kansas
area =
built =1954
architect= Williamson,Thomas W.
architecture= Other, Renaissance, Art Deco
added = May 04, 1987
governing_body = Local
refnum=87001283cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Sumner Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas was involved in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. Linda Brown attempted to enroll in the Sumner School, which was closer to her house than the all black Monroe School to which she was attending. Her enrollment was rejected by the Topeka Board of Education. Oliver Brown, Linda's father, then joined the class action lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education that was eventually heard before the Supreme Court.

The Sumner Elementary School is currently a National Historic Landmark listed with the United States Department of the Interior. The school was designed in the Art Deco style by Thomas W. Williamson and constructed in 1936.

In May, 2008 The National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the building on their list of America's Most Endangered Places. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080521/ap_tr_ge/travel_yesterday_s_places_endangered_places Threats to history seen in budget cuts, bulldozers - Yahoo! News ] ]

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka : Sumner and Monroe Elementary Schools : management alternatives study and environmental assessment. National Park Service, Midwest Region, 1992

References

External links

* [http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/208673 Photo and info on Sumner School]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/121brown/index.htm "Brown v. Board: Five Communities That Changed America," a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan]