Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced new legislation to designate America’s National Churchill Museum, located on the Westminster College campus in Fulton, Missouri, as a National Historic Landmark.
On March 5, 1946, Churchill spoke at Westminster College and spoke the famous words, “From Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” In the 1960s, Westminster College set out to celebrate what would be the 20th anniversary of Churchill’s visit, and imported a 17th century church from London to Fulton. The church of St. Mary Aldermanbury was moved stone-by-stone to Westminster’s campus. Reconstruction was completed in 1969, and is today’s location of the museum.
“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,”said Senator Hawley.
The America’s National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act would:
- 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 a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. There are currently over 2,600 National Historic Landmarks 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 enacts a law requiring NPS to conduct a Special Resource Study (SRS) of the area, typically to assess its national significance, suitability and feasibility, and management options.
Read the full bill text here.