Churchill Museum Director Appearing on C-Span 

The National Churchill Museum is receiving a great deal of attention around the country, thanks to multiple runs of a C-Span episode featuring a presentation by Timothy Riley, Sandra L. and Monroe Trout Director and Chief Curator of the Museum. 

C-Span3 is currently running segments from the 16th annual Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium, held in Key West, FL. 

This year’s Symposium focused on Russia and the Cold War with panelists discussing the relationship between Truman and Churchill, the U.S. position in Berlin, and the origins of NATO, which Truman considered his signature achievement. 

Timothy discussed the events which led to Churchill delivering his most historic speech, The Sinews of Peace, more commonly known as the “Iron Curtain speech” at Westminster College, details of that momentous day, and the significance of the address.  As a point of reference, he used a copy of the nearly final draft of the oration from the Museum’s collection. 

Interested parties can ready Churchill’s speech at  https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/sinews-of-peace-iron-curtain-speech.html   

“I can argue in some ways that the Cold War began in earnest in a gymnasium at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, on March 5 with the President of the United States and the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, both of whom were honorary degree recipients that day—Westminster’s most proud alumni, I might add,” Timothy told the crowd.  

The Symposium was hosted by the Harry S. Truman Foundation and the Harry S. Truman Little White House.  

The Harry S. Truman Little White House, originally constructed in 1890 as naval officers housing, is the only presidential site in the state of Florida. President Truman spent 175 days of his presidency there, using the building as a winter White House from 1946-1952.  Other presidents who have spent time there include William Howard Taft, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton.   

Interested Churchillians may view Timothy’s remarks at https://www.c-span.org/video/?445517-2/harry-s-truman-russia-cold-war-part-1.