Press Kit: “The Sinews of Peace” at 80 Years
Primary Media Contact:
Sarah Backer
Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer
[email protected]
573-592-5438 (Office)
572-220-9038
Eighty years ago, history was made when Winston Churchill delivered his iconic “The Sinews of Peace” address on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. To honor this landmark anniversary, America’s National Churchill Museum (ANCM) invites you to a series of special events exploring Churchill’s enduring legacy and modern relevance, culminating in our Fellows Weekend and the Enid and R. Crosby Kemper Lecture on March 5-7, 2026.
Media Access
Please check in and pick up your media badge in the main entrance of America’s National Churchill Museum. After doing so, please be sure to contact Sarah Backer, Director of Media Relations, at 573-220-9038.
Interviews with the following, and others, are available upon request:
- Gov. Mike Kehoe
- Churchill Fellow Duncan Sandys, great-grandson of Clementine and Winston Churchill*
- Richard Hyde, Counsel General representing His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom*
- Timothy Riley, Director and Chief Curator of America’s National Churchill Museum
*This individual would be happy to discuss the importance of ANCM’s work and the lasting impact of Churchill's legacy.
About America’s National Churchill Museum
In 1946 it was at Westminster College that Winston Churchill delivered one of the most significant speeches of his long and illustrious career. That address, formally titled "The Sinews of Peace," but best known for that evocative phrase “An Iron Curtain has descended across the Continent,” effectively marked the beginning of the Cold War and linked, forever, Fulton and Westminster College with Winston Churchill.
In the 1960s Westminster College set out to mark what would be the 20th anniversary of Churchill's visit. After due consideration to traditional modes of commemoration, Westminster settled on the rather more ambitious notion of moving a Christopher Wren-designed Church from London. This church, St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury, had stood in London since 1677 when it replaced an earlier structure that had sat on the same site since the 12th century. This magnificent building, badly damaged during the London Blitz, was moved stone by stone to Westminster's campus and rebuilt to Wren's original specifications.
Beneath the church is America's National Churchill Museum itself which, through the imaginative and innovative use of technology, brings to life the story of Winston Churchill and the world he knew. The displays and permanent exhibition, together with a host of associated programs and events that support it, was recognized in 2009 by the U.S. Congress as America's permanent tribute to this great man and formally designated as America's National Churchill Museum.
In 1946, Winston Churchill created a blueprint for national and international security in his “The Sinews of Peace” or “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College. The foundations of U.S. national security policies and institutions, as well as diplomatic norms, were informed and inspired by Churchill's words — words that helped to wage and win the Cold War.
But what of today? The Association of Churchill Fellows at Westminster College invites you to join America's National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, as distinguished experts, Fellows and guests explore the answer to this question and commemorate the 80th anniversary of “The Sinews of Peace.”
ANCM Website: America’s National Churchill Museum | Winston Churchill Museum in Fulton, MO
About Westminster College
Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College is ranked prestigiously by The Princeton Review as one of 151 “Best Colleges in the Midwest” for 2026 and is among is among a select group of full-participation institutions nationwide in the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition, as recognized by the Higher Learning Commission. New graduates experience a more than 90% placement rate within six months of graduation, while Westminster alumni are in the top 16% nationwide for graduate earnings. The only National Liberal Arts college in Missouri, Westminster has long been recognized for its focus on educating and inspiring students to make an impact on the world around them. Find out more about Westminster College by visiting www.wcmo.edu.
About Fulton, Missouri
Fulton, Missouri, is a fascinating, historic small town lined with brick streets and quaint shops. Information on the local area can be found on both the Visit Fulton website and Brick District website.
Several lodging options are available locally, including the Loganberry Inn, which is one block away from ANCM; the Baymont Inn and Suites; as well as the Holiday Inn Express and Suites.
Dining, Shopping and Transportation
On campus, Backer Dining Room within Mueller Leadership Hall offers a variety of fresh entrées, side dishes, salads, soups and other fresh options. Please use a credit or debit card — cash is not accepted. For shopping, the Westminster Book Store boasts a variety of Westminster and Blue Jays merchandise as well as campus décor.
For off-campus dining and shopping experiences, The Brick District offers several restaurants such as Beks and Brooklyn Pizza, as well as different shops that can be explored.
While Fulton does have its own airport, Elton Hensley Memorial Airport, the Columbia Regional Airport is 24 miles away and the St. Louis Lambert International Airport is 92.3 miles away.
Learn More About Callaway County
Learn more about the local area through the Callaway Chamber of Commerce website.
For Even More Information
Please contact Sarah Backer, Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer, at 573-592-5438 (office), 573-220-9038 (mobile) or [email protected].
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