Fulton, MO – August 29, 2013 – Bringing the timeless lessons of history to a new generation is a key focus of increased educational outreach and a new documentary by the National Churchill Museum (NCM) on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, MO. The documentary, “Winston Churchill’s Epic ‘Iron Curtain Speech’: History Alive Today,” will air on Nine PBS on Sunday, September 1, at 4:30 p.m. and Friday, September 20, at 9:30 p.m. #ChurchillNine,

A screening will be hosted at the St. Louis Public Library’s newly renovated Central Library in downtown St. Louis on September 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public though registration is requested. (Register here: https://churchillstl.eventbrite.com.) Local students are invited to attend.

“Churchill was a man of three centuries - born in the 19^th, active as inspirational war leader in the 20^th but whose action and decisions continue to influence our lives today, in the 21^st. His speech delivered here in Missouri in 1946 is emblematic of how the man could sum up an era in a single delivery in a speech at Westminster College in 1946,” said Rob Havers, executive director of the National Churchill Museum.  “His predictions for the future set him at odds with the majority thinking of the time, but later proved to shape the narrative and realities of the Cold War,” added Havers.

Long time St. Louis business community leader Richard J. Mahoney was inspired to create this documentary to share the important lessons of Churchill with a new generation.  Mahoney is a Churchill Fellow and member of the NCM Board of Governors. The film was brought to life by local producer/director, John Stephens, President, Pulse Productions, Inc. 

“Leadership in any generation requires intuition, courage and excellent communications skills, which is what we want the younger generations to reflect on as they see this film.” said Stephens, who himself was inspired by his late father’s Churchill book collection and the way in which his father shared the lessons of Churchill.

The film provides a history of Churchill’s life and features the museum as well as the art in the surrounding area, including “Breakthrough” created by Edwina Sandys, Churchill’s granddaughter, with eight panels from the Berlin wall, and a bas relief sculpture of Churchill as he delivered the memorable “Iron Curtain” speech created by Don Wiegand, a St. Louis artist of national and international reputation. The timeless Churchill leadership style and quotes are highlighted and discussed in today’s context. 

The documentary will serve as a rallying point for increased educational outreach programming – both in classrooms throughout the state and on-line. A new on-line exhibit will be launched later this year.

The National Churchill Museum offers a variety of activities for both schools and the public. These activities include field trips, lesson plans, outreach presentations, traveling trunks, and more. The museum also offer special programs celebrating important events like Churchill’s birthday, Holiday Honor Tree, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the reconstruction of the Church of St. Mary. For information on school and museum programs, contact Mandy Plybon, Education and Public Programs Coordinator at 573-592-6242 or mandy.plybon@churchillmemorial.org.