This museum celebrates the life and work of Sir Winston S. Churchill (1874-1965), two time British Prime Minister (1940-45, 1951-55). On 5 March 1946, Churchill came to Westminster College to make a speech titled "The Sinews of Peace," after being introduced by US President Harry S. Truman. This address became known as the "Iron Curtain" speech, after a line Churchill used to describe Soviet expansionism in Europe soon after World War II: "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent."
After paying my entrance fee, I began to walk through the museum, which began with a timeline of events involving Churchill, the colleage, and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. The latter was a 17th century church in London that was destroyed by German aerial bombing in World War II, but rebuilt in Fulton in the 1960s. I then walked through a pair of special displays: One of sculptures and busts of Churchill, and a few of Churchill's paintings; the other of some US propaganda posters of World War II.
Then, it was on to the galleries on Churchill's life and times, with many photos, some memorabilia, and a few interactive displays. There were also a few short movies, including ones on Nazi Germany's road to war, Churchill's leadership during World War II, and the "Iron Curtain" speech.
After visiting the museum and shopping in the gift shop, I browsed through the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. This beautiful structure was designed by the great English architect Sir Christopher Wren, whose other works included St. Paul's Cathedral in London. This church is used for services, including weddings.
After my stay in the church, I went outside to look at the church's exterior, a statue of Churchill, and the sculpture "Breakthrough." This 11-foot (3.4 m) high by 32-foot (9.8 m) wide artwork was created by Edwina Sandys--Winston Churchill's granddaughter--from four sections of the Berlin Wall. It was dedicated by former US President Ronald Reagan in 1990--one year after the wall came down.
Then, I walked to the front of Westminster's Gymnasium, where the "Iron Curtain" speech was delivered. I also admired the columns in front of the administration building before walking to my car and driving home to St. Louis. After dodging some stormy weather in mid-Missouri, I arrived home safe and sound.
Later.
