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May 4 Visitors Center

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May 4 Visitors Center

The May 4 Visitors Center on the Kent State campus is located inside Taylor Hall.

The galleries tell the story of the 1970 shooting and explore the history and impact of student activism at Kent State.

09/09/2026

Fall is in the air at Kent State, and that means we're once again welcoming Flashes 101 classes to the May 4 Visitors Center.

As new students begin their Kent State journey, Flashes 101 helps them build connections, find community, and develop a deeper understanding of the university they now call home. An important part of that experience is learning Kent State's history.

This year, students will tour the May 4 Visitors Center, the National Historic Landmark site, and our Still Standing exhibition featuring Dean Kahler's story. All tours are led by Kent State students for Kent State students, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations and a greater understanding of our shared history.

As you look at these photos of students touring the Center, remember that the four students who lost their lives on May 4, 1970, were their age. Their stories continue to resonate with each new generation of Kent State students, reminding us of the importance of remembering the past and carrying its lessons into the future.

08/31/2026

"Every time the song Ohio came on, I'd cry."
— Joe Lewis, wounded student

A band of blood brothers met the band that gave voice to their experience. Tom Grace and Alan Canfora with David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash, 1997.

Credit: Photo by Craig Megyer. Alan Canfora collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

08/24/2026

Back to school season carries special meaning at Kent State.

When students returned to campus in late September 1970, after the university's closure following the May 4 shootings, they came back to a campus forever changed. That fall, wounded student Dean Kahler made his first appearance on campus since May 4, telling a crowd of 5,000 at memorial service, "It has been a long fight, but it's all over now and I'm going to be all right." Kahler also encouraged students to resist violence in all forms.

His message of resilience and nonviolence remains part of Kent State's story as students begin a new academic year today.

Want to learn more about Dean? Our exhibition Still Standing: Dean Kahler and Disability Rights remains on view at the May 4 Visitors Center Reflections Gallery throughout the Fall semester.

08/21/2026

Many current Kent State students have never heard of Columbia House, but for generations of music fans it was a cultural phenomenon. The record club offered members albums for free or just a penny, bringing popular music into homes across the country.

In a letter to his mother, May 4 victim Bill Schroeder shared the records he received through Columbia House, placing stars beside the albums he thought she would enjoy. His list included artists such as Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan, the Doors, and The Four Tops. "Aren't I an A-1 sw***er?" he wrote.

As Columbia House comes to the end of its remarkable run, we're reminded of Bill's enthusiasm for music. Did you ever belong to Columbia House? What albums do you remember ordering, and which became favorites in your collection?

Bill's family shared the letter with the May 4 Visitors Center as part of the Four Fallen Students exhibition. The exhibition can be explored online at Remembering May 4: https://www.rememberingmay4.org/

08/11/2026

Today marks the birthday of Sandy Scheuer, who was born on August 11, 1949 and tragically died on May 4, 1970. Sandy would have turned 77 this year. As we remember her life and legacy, we also think of her sister Audrey, who has spent the last 56 years missing her little sister while keeping her memory alive.

08/07/2026

Happy belated birthday to Joe Lewis, pictured here at a 1985 May 4 Commemoration press conference.

In the aftermath of the May 4 shootings, the injured survivors formed deep and lasting bonds, often referring to themselves as "blood brothers." One of those friendships was between Joe Lewis and Jim Russell. Feeling that Ohio was too hostile, Joe relocated to Oregon and encouraged his friend Jim to move there too. Together, they spoke at high schools and colleges across the state, sharing their May 4 experiences. Through education, reflection, and friendship, they helped others understand May 4 while continuing their own healing journeys.

Image: "1985 Commemoration: Press Conference,” Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

07/28/2026

In 1969, Kent State architecture students constructed an "umbrella" structure outside of Taylor Hall that later became known as the Pagoda. Months later, it would become the infamous location from which Ohio National Guard members fired on Kent State students on May 4, 1970, killing four and wounding nine.

This photograph, taken by Howard Ruffner, appeared in the Daily Kent Stater's October 17, 1969, Homecoming issue. The edition captured the contrasts of campus life that fall, celebrating Homecoming festivities and a Donovan concert, while also reflecting the growing concern over the Vietnam War following the Moratorium march held just days earlier.

Howard Ruffner, Daily Kent Stater, October 17, 1969

07/24/2026

May 4 has never been a stranger to fake news. Incorrect headlines and rumors spread through radio broadcasts, television reports, and word of mouth in the hours and days following the shootings. Today, misinformation continues to evolve, and now artificial intelligence has entered the chat.

This image is not real. The memorial depicted here does not exist. It was generated using AI.

As AI-generated images, videos, and stories become more common, we encourage people to approach unfamiliar May 4 content with a critical eye and to seek out trusted historical sources. Resources such as the Kent State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives, May 4 Collection provide access to primary sources, photographs, oral histories, and documents that help tell the story of May 4 with accuracy and context.

As stewards of the spirit and legacy of May 4, we take pride in being a credible and reliable source of historical information. Whether exploring archival collections, visiting historical sites, or engaging with museums dedicated to preserving the past, we encourage everyone to learn from trusted resources grounded in evidence and historical scholarship. If you'd like to deepen your understanding of May 4, plan a visit to the May 4 Visitors Center, walk the historic grounds, explore archival collections, and engage directly with the people and places that keep this history alive. By supporting these institutions and sources, we can help ensure that the history of May 4 is preserved, understood, and shared accurately for future generations.

07/20/2026

Today, July 20th, marks what would have been the 76th birthday of William Schroeder, one of the four students tragically killed on May 4, 1970. He was only 19 years old. Instead of focusing only on how his life ended, we celebrate the vibrant young man he was - a basketball player, an Eagle Scout, an ROTC cadet, a poet, and a psychology student who deeply loved his family. Rest in peace, Bill. You are remembered. Learn more about Bill on our online exhibition:
https://www.rememberingmay4.org

06/02/2026

Oh deer! We had a special visitor at Taylor Hall this afternoon- We hope she was able to check out our interpretive panels and learn something new ✨🦌

Address

300 Midway Drive, 147 Taylor Hall
Kent, OH
44243

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+13306724660

Website

http://www.kent.edu/may4visitorscenter

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