May 4 Visitors Center

On Monday, May 4, 1970, Kent State University students were protesting the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia. The Ohio National Guard was present on campus and shot into the crowd of unarmed protestors, killing four students and wounding nine.

18 acres of the Kent State campus are designated as a National Historic Landmark Site to preserve the memory of May 4 and the lasting impact of that day. The Visitors Center on the site is made of three permanent exhibit galleries that provide context behind the event and highlight the reactions and repercussions of the shooting. Visitors also see an award-winning film about May 4, 1970, that uses video, photos, and audio from the day.

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Visit our Tours page to learn more about what we offer

Hours & Closures:

Monday-Friday

9 am - 5 pm

Saturday-Sunday

Closed

The Center will be closed:

Memorial Day: Monday May 26th

Juneteenth: Thursday June 19th

Independence Day: Friday July 4th

Historian's New Book Gives 360-Degree View of May 4 Tragedy

Brian VanDeMark, a historian with the United States Naval Academy, has written a new book “Kent State: An American Tragedy.” He will participate in a panel discussion at Kent State on Sept. 27.

‘May 4 Moments’

In her first year as the director of the May 4 Visitor Center, Alison Caplan has enjoyed uniquely wonderful and "magical" experiences in how Kent State's history creates connections and inspiration.

Jeffrey Miller: A Snapshot in Time

An exhibition at the May 4 Visitors Center will highlight the personalities of each of the four students who were killed on May 4.

Personal items of Bill Schroeder, including his Eagle Scout Award and Boy Scout sash showing his merit badges, are on display in a new exhibition at Kent State University’s May 4 Visitors Center called “Bill: An All-American Boy.”

Kent State’s May 4 Visitors Center Celebrates Life With “Bill: An All-American Boy” Exhibition

From April 22 to Aug. 1, Kent State University’s May 4 Visitors Center will honor Bill Schroeder’s life with an exhibition titled “Bill: An All-American Boy.” Mr. Schroeder’s sister, Nancy Tuttle, and nephew, David Tuttle, helped create the exhibition by loaning some of his personal items to the May 4 Visitors Center.

Young woman standing in front of display at May 4 Visitors Center

Exit Interview

Congratulations to May 4 Visitors Center intern Emma McNichols who will graduate in December. She has recently accepted a position at Andersonville National Historic Site, a National Park Site in Georgia dedicated to American Prisoners of War. 

We chatted with Emma about her experience as a student intern here at the May 4 Visitor

May 4 National Historic Landmark Site Updates

A refreshed May 4 National Historic Landmark Site Tour will premiere during the 2024 May 4 commemoration this weekend. The outdoor tour signs, which debuted in 2010 during the 40th commemoration, allow Kent State visitors to trace the steps of history of the events of May 4, 1970, through text, video, image, and narration.

Tram Nguyen was drawn to Kent State after seeing one of the tragic May 4, 1970, and learning the sacrifices the students made.

Vietnamese Student Feels Connection to May 4

Vietnamese student Tram Nguyen made a connection to Kent State when she saw a picture of student Jeffrey Miller after the May 4 shooting. Recently she visited the Prentice Parking Lot Memorial Marker dedicated to Miller.

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May 4 Visitors Center