Kent in Portage County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

May 4 National Historic Landmark Site

— May 4 National Historic Landmark Site Tour —

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 23, 2025

1. May 4 National Historic Landmark Site Marker

Inscription.

May 4 National Historic Landmark Site. . The May 4 Visitors Center is a place to learn and reflect on one of the most challenging episodes in our national history. The gunfire that killed four students and wounded nine others on May 4, 1970 echoed well beyond our campus, deeply affecting our nation and the world. , As you walk through the May 4 Visitors Center and the surrounding National Historic Landmark Site, you will learn about the tragic events that happened here on May 4, 1970. You will learn about the lives of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder. You will see the story of when we were deeply divided in the era of student protests against the Vietnam War. , Our May 4 Visitors Center also tells the story of learning, reflection, and remembrance driven by faculty, students, and family and community members who have worked to preserve the history and legacy of May 4, 1970. , At Kent State University, we are unique because of our history continues to guide and challenge us to better our society. I trust the time you spend here will touch your heart and mind, and will encourage you to learn more about the events of May 4, 1970. It also reminds us of the ongoing need to embrace civility, respect diverse opinions, and encourage the protection of our basic freedoms and democratic ideals. , Todd Diacon, Kent State University President, 2024 , The May 4 National Historic Landmark Site tour allows visitors to trace the steps of history, relaying the events of May 4, 1970, through text, photographs, video, and narration. Go to may4.kent.edu for videos and links that correspond to the trail markers or call 330-672-MAY4 (6294) to access audio narration provided by Civil Rights leader Julian Bond. The tour begins in front of the May 4 Visitors Center. Follow the peace dove waypoint markers, which lead to significant sites in the May 4 story, including the former location of the ROTC building, the Pagoda, and the Prentice Hall parking lot. , Thank You , Kent State University and the May 4 Visitors Center thank the many in the University community, greater community, and donors whose work and generosity created the May 4 National Historic Landmark Site tour. Special thanks to Carole A. Barbato and Laura L. Davis for their work to create the tour.

The May 4 Visitors Center is a place to learn and reflect on one of the most challenging episodes in our national history. The gunfire that killed four students and wounded nine others on May 4, 1970 echoed well beyond our campus, deeply affecting our nation and the world.

As you walk through the May 4 Visitors Center and the surrounding National Historic Landmark Site, you will learn about the tragic events that happened here on May 4, 1970. You will learn about the lives of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder. You will see the story of when we were deeply divided in the era of student protests against the Vietnam War.

Our May 4 Visitors Center also tells the story of learning, reflection, and remembrance driven by faculty, students, and family and community members who have worked to preserve the history and legacy of May 4, 1970.

At Kent State University, we are unique because of our history continues to guide and challenge us to better our society. I trust the time you spend here will touch your heart and mind, and will encourage you to learn more about the events of May 4, 1970.

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It also reminds us of the ongoing need to embrace civility, respect diverse opinions, and encourage the protection of our basic freedoms and democratic ideals.

Todd Diacon, Kent State University President, 2024

The May 4 National Historic Landmark Site tour allows visitors to trace the steps of history, relaying the events of May 4, 1970, through text, photographs, video, and narration. Go to may4.kent.edu for videos and links that correspond to the trail markers or call 330-672-MAY4 (6294) to access audio narration provided by Civil Rights leader Julian Bond. The tour begins in front of the May 4 Visitors Center. Follow the peace dove waypoint markers, which lead to significant sites in the May 4 story, including the former location of the ROTC building, the Pagoda, and the Prentice Hall parking lot.

Thank You
Kent State University and the May 4 Visitors Center thank the many in the University community, greater community, and donors whose work and generosity created the May 4 National Historic Landmark Site tour. Special thanks to Carole A. Barbato and Laura L. Davis for their work to create the tour.

Erected 2024.

Topics.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 23, 2025

2. Taylor Hall

The welcome marker and first stop on the tour are located adjacent to Taylor Hall, the site of the May 4 Visitor Center.

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is May 4, 1970.

Location. 41° 9.037′ N, 81° 20.635′ W. Marker is in Kent, Ohio, in Portage County. It is on Midway Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Midway Drive, Kent OH 44243, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Day the War Came Home (here, next to this marker); Further Tragedy Averted (a few steps from this marker); Kent State Shootings Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 4 Dead and 9 Wounded (within shouting distance of this marker); Kent State University (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Solar Totem #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kent State Shootings Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Shooting of Kent State Students May 4, 1970 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kent.

Also see . . . National Historic Landmark Site Tour Trail Markers.

Trace the steps of history through this documentary in the style of Ken Burns -- based on 500 archival photographs never before brought together and narrated by notable civil rights leader Julian Bond. The chapters of the documentary are keyed to the seven Walking Tour trail markers.

(Submitted on June 9, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.