Show-Me State Times

The United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley to designate America's National Churchill Museum as a National Historic Landmark.

"Nearly 80 years ago, Sir Winston Churchill marked the beginning of the Cold War with his 'Iron Curtain' speech in Fulton, Missouri. I am proud to honor one of the world’s greatest leaders, and one of America’s closest allies, with this legislation," Senator Hawley stated when introducing the bill.

The museum is located on the Westminster College campus in Fulton, Missouri. It was here that Churchill delivered his famous words, "From Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent," on March 5, 1946. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Churchill's visit, Westminster College relocated a 17th-century church from London to Fulton in the 1960s. The Church of St. Mary Aldermanbury was reconstructed stone-by-stone on Westminster's campus and completed in 1969; it now houses today's museum.

The America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act aims to:

- Direct the Secretary of Interior to establish America's National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri as a National Historic Landmark. A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. There are currently over 2,600 NHLs in the United States, including 37 in Missouri.

- Direct the National Park Service to conduct a Special Resource Study to consider future potential designations for the site. Before enacting a law to add a unit, Congress often first requires NPS to conduct a Special Resource Study (SRS) of an area to assess its national significance, suitability and feasibility, and management options.

Senator Hawley originally introduced this legislation in June.