FULTON, Mo. – In a celebration of heritage and U.S.–U.K. partnership, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1945 into law on Nov. 10, officially designating the America’s National Churchill Museum a National Historic Landmark. The designation, the highest honor for an American historic site, came after unanimous approval from both chambers of Congress.
Local leaders applaud the honor
Donald P. Lofe, Jr., president and chief transformation officer of Westminster College, thanked President Trump, Rep. Bob Onder, Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Eric Schmitt, and the bipartisan congressional supporters who helped pass the bill. “This is a defining and remarkable milestone for Westminster College, the City of Fulton and the State of Missouri,” Lofe said.
What the landmark designation means
The America’s National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act recognizes the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury – the historic stone church that houses the museum on the Westminster College campus. While the designation does not automatically place the museum within the National Park System, it calls for a study to explore additional preservation and interpretive options.
Historic roots of the museum
The church was dismantled in London after World War II, shipped stone by stone to Missouri, and rebuilt in the 1960s. Its architectural lineage dates back to the 12th century, and Sir Christopher Wren redesigned it after the Great Fire of London. Timothy Riley, director and chief curator of the museum, described the reconstruction as “an incredible feat” that brought a war‑torn building back to life in the American heartland.
Why Fulton matters to Winston Churchill
Churchill’s historic “Iron Curtain” speech was delivered at Westminster College on March 5, 1946, marking the beginning of the Cold War. A piece of the Berlin Wall now sits outside the reconstructed church, symbolizing the enduring link between the United Kingdom and the United States. Riley noted that Churchill was proud of his American connections and that the new landmark “is proof positive that that special relationship is alive and well.”
Future celebrations
A ceremony honoring the designation will be held during the Churchill Fellows Weekend, March 19‑20, 2027. The weekend’s theme, “Churchill 2046: Lessons for the Next Century,” will feature speakers, tours, and educational programs highlighting the museum’s role in preserving trans‑Atlantic history.
Context within federal historic preservation
The last National Historic Landmark designated directly by an act of Congress was New Mexico’s Fort Bayard Historic District in 2004, according to a 2018 congressional committee report. President Trump’s action restores a tradition of using federal legislation to recognize sites of profound national significance.
Looking ahead
The mandated study will examine how best to protect the museum’s unique architecture and expand public access to its collections. Local officials and historians see the designation as a catalyst for tourism, education, and community pride in Fulton and the broader region.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
