U.S. Senate passes bill to make Churchill Museum a national landmark

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that aims to make the National Churchill Museum in Fulton a national landmark.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) made the announcement of the bill’s passage in a post on X. The museum is located on Westminster College’s campus, which was the site of Churchill’s famous “Iron Curtain” speech on March 5, 1946.

A statement from the museum’s Director and Chief Timothy Riley showed support for the vote.

"The U.S. Senate’s unanimous support for this legislation is extraordinary. We are optimistic the House will agree and make the oldest building in Missouri the nation’s newest historic landmark,” the statement says. “As we approach the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s famous speech at Westminster College, we remain proud to be custodians of Churchill’s legacy."

A press release on Hawley’s website says the legislation will also direct the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study “to consider future potential designations for the site.”