FULTON, Mo. – America’s National Churchill Museum (ANCM) on the campus of Westminster College is pleased to announce that Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe will deliver opening remarks during the March 5-7 80th anniversary commemoration of Winston Churchill’s “The Sinews of Peace” address, commonly known as the “Iron Curtain” speech.
The governor’s welcoming address, part of the 2026 Churchill Fellows Weekend, will take place at 10 a.m. on March 6 in ANCM’s historic Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, 501 Westminster Ave. Seating for the public event is limited, with livestreaming available on ANCM’s YouTube account and the College’s Facebook page.
The presence of Missouri’s 58th governor at Westminster signifies the continued global significance of Churchill’s prescient address, which was delivered on campus before an audience of thousands on March 5, 1946.
“We are proud to honor Winston Churchill’s incredibly impactful message delivered 80 years ago in Fulton, Missouri,” said Kehoe. “Churchill’s iconic words made from right here in the heart of America at Westminster College still resonate true today in standing for strength and the principles of democracy, liberty and freedom.”
Eighty years after Churchill warned that “an iron curtain has descended across the continent,” the weekend will examine how his call for democratic unity, level-headed leadership and strength in defense of freedom continue to remain relevant amid renewed global instability, disinformation and strained alliances.
Kehoe’s visit coincides with a national effort to designate ANCM a National Historic Landmark. The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed H.R. 1945 on Feb. 11. That positive news follows the unanimous Senate passage of companion legislation in December 2025. Ultimately, the last step will be to see legislation signed into law by the U.S. president, allowing ANCM to receive formal recognition as a site of national historical and cultural significance.
Meanwhile, ANCM will receive widespread attention in just a few short weeks because of the many planned anniversary activities as well as the continued significance of Churchill’s message.
“A national audience will gather to commemorate and reflect on Winston Churchill’s world-changing words, spoken at Westminster College 80 years ago,” reflected Timothy Riley, Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator at America’s National Churchill Museum. “We are honored that Governor Kehoe has chosen to join us in marking this milestone anniversary and in underscoring the continued relevance of Churchill’s message.”
Other events open to the public during the 2026 Churchill Fellows Weekend include the following:
- The 39th Enid and R. Crosby Kemper Lecture by Larry P. Arnn: “Churchill – A Man of Our Time”
- Former Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Ken Adelman: “A Parley at the Summit – Reagan, Gorbachev and the End of the Cold War”
- An exhibition featuring the original, near-final draft of Churchill’s “The Sinews of Peace”
- Then-and-now guided tours of Churchill’s historic route through Fulton
- A reflection on Churchill’s continued relevance by his great grandson, The Hon. Duncan Sandys
Visit ANCM’s website for a complete list of events.
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 our website.