America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton designated a National Historic Landmark

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1945 into law on Tuesday, formally giving a National Historic Landmark designation to America's National Churchill Museum in Fulton.

A news release from Westminster College said the resolution, titled the "America’s National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act," recognizes the architectural significance of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the 17th-century church on campus that houses the Churchill museum.

The designation doesn't make the museum part of the National Park System, according to the release. H.R. 1945 also calls for a study to explore options for preserving the history of the museum.

“This is a defining and remarkable milestone for Westminster College, the City of Fulton and the State of Missouri,” said Westminster College President Donald P. Lofe, Jr. in the release. “We sincerely thank President Trump, Representative Bob Onder, Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt and the bipartisan congressional supporters whose leadership helped secure this recognition, which affirms the College’s significance in the history of international leadership and public service.”

On March 5, 1946, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave his famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College. President Harry S. Truman accompanied Churchill for the occasion.

As a way to honor Churchill's speech, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin was moved stone by stone from London to Fulton in the 1960s and reconstructed on the Westminster campus. At its original location, the church survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, but was severely damaged in World War II.

“When Winston Churchill came to Westminster College, he challenged the world to confront its responsibilities for the future,” museum director and curator Timothy Riley said in the release. “This extraordinary designation honors that historic moment, the enduring ties between Britain and the United States and the generations who have preserved this exceptional place. It also strengthens our commitment to ensuring that Churchill’s lessons on leadership, freedom and peace continue to inspire future generations.”

Westminster will celebrate the National Historic Landmark designation in March 2027 during the school's Churchill Fellows Weekend.