Historic Landmark Legislation Passes U.S. Senate: Museum One Step Closer to becoming National Historic Landmark

 

 

America’s National Churchill Museum (ANCM) on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, is one step closer to becoming a National Historic Landmark.

The U.S. Senate unanimously voted in support of the designation on Dec. 16.

Senate Bill S. 3490 and the Next Steps

Senate Bill S.3490 — which formally recognizes the significance of one of the oldest buildings in the United States — was formally introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.

“Missouri is home of Winston Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech that marked the beginning of the Cold War,” Hawley said in a press release. “I’m proud to have shepherded this legislation through the Senate to rightfully commemorate Missouri’s friendship with one of the greatest leaders in world history.”

The U.S. House will vote on a companion bill next. If that passes, the legislation will then go to the White House to be signed by President Donald Trump.

Timothy Riley, the Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of ANCM, reflected positively on the recent news.

“Winston Churchill’s legacy continues to inform and inspire new generations about principled leadership, resilience and statesmanship,” Riley said. “It is gratifying to see that our work to preserve and share that legacy received a unanimous vote of approval in the Senate, and we are particularly grateful for Senators Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley for their leadership and support for this legislation.”

Hawley, a Churchill Fellow, is among countless individuals worldwide with a strong interest in ANCM and Churchill’s historic ties to Westminster College. U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt co-sponsored the bill, which received strong bipartisan support. U.S. Congressman Bob Onder of Missouri has introduced a companion bill in the House, recognizing the significance of ANCM as a memorial to Churchill’s prophetic speech, which was famously delivered at Westminster on March 5, 1946.

ANCM’s Ancient History  

ANCM is of high importance not just because of the history it memorializes. The centerpiece of the structure, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, is ancient.

The majority of the church was constructed in 17^th century London, while its stone, spiral belfry staircase dates back to the 1100s.

The story of why St. Mary’s was shipped stone by stone to the United States to be loaded onto train cars and delivered to Fulton so Churchill’s world-famous speech could forever be memorialized is an audacious tale. For more than 50 years, entire books have been written about the daring reconstruction.

ANCM’s Audacious Story

In short, the structure was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt a decade later by Royal Architect Sir Christopher Wren. The church was again partially destroyed in the German Blitz of World War II, laying in ruins until the 1960s. Westminster’s then-president, Dr. Robert L.D. Davidson, learned of St. Mary’s and decided to purchase it from the British Church and State after careful deliberation with numerous authorities, including Westminster’s Board of Trustees.

The memorial to Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech was officially dedicated on May 7, 1969, not long after the London Times referred to it as “perhaps the biggest jigsaw puzzle in the history of architecture.” In 1963, Churchill himself referred to the project as “an imaginative concept,” just one year before former U.S. President Harry Truman ceremonially turned the first shovel for the project, 17 years after traveling with Churchill to campus for “The Sinews of Peace” address, later referred to as the “Iron Curtain” speech.

ANCM Today and the 80^th Anniversary of Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” Speech

Architecturally, ANCM is a marvel in its own right. After a recent $6 million preservation effort completed by Westminster, ANCM is garnering attention from many at the highest levels of international government.

The spotlight is on ANCM just as preparations are being made for the 80^th anniversary of Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, which promises to be a significant celebration. The anniversary event will take place during the 2026 Churchill Fellows Weekend, March 5-7.

The weekend will feature the prestigious Enid and R. Crosby Kemper Lecture featuring Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, who is a renowned expert on Churchill.

“Eight decades after Churchill’s historic address at Westminster College and nearly nine centuries after the church’s first foundation in London, America’s National Churchill Museum is well positioned to become our nation’s newest historic landmark,” Riley noted. “We invite everyone to join us in March to commemorate and celebrate with us.”