Plans have been finalized for the National Churchill Museum to host its first ever Smithsonian Institution exhibition entitled “The Way We Worked.”

Scheduled for display February 11-March 10, 2012, the exhibit shares the stories of how work became a central element in American culture and the many changes affecting the workforce and the work environments over the past 100 years.

“We are excited to have been selected for this magnificent exhibit which will focus on how work has evolved not only in America but in Central Missouri as well,” says Dr. Rob Havers, Executive Director of the National Churchill Museum.  “One of the requirements for being selected to host the exhibit is that the Museum will create components unique to our exhibition that focus on the history of work in Callaway County and the surrounding area.”

A committee of city and chamber officials, local historians and Museum personnel are working on the local exhibit components and additional public activities in relation to the exhibit.

This traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibition is sponsored by the Missouri Humanities Council’s Museum on Main Street program.  Missouri is the first state to receive this exhibit, which will be visiting five additional Missouri cities throughout 2011 and 2012. 

“The Missouri Humanities Council hopes the Fulton residents and those in the surrounding areas will enjoy the exhibition and think a little deeper about the journey of American workers and how that is reflected in the world today, both locally and nationally,” says Geoff Giglierano, Executive Director of the Missouri Humanities Council.

For more details about the “The Way We Worked” exhibition, interested individuals or organizations can contact Liz Murphy at 573-592-5262 or email her at Liz.Murphy@churchillmemorial.org.

Founded in 1971, the Missouri Humanities Council serves to act as a catalyst for cultural organizations, helping them to connect with people and communities in dynamic ways that spark the deep excitement for story and learning that builds character, intellect and understanding.  Their partnerships with cultural organizations include consultative training, mentoring, grants, exhibit tours, literature and other resources.

The National Churchill Museum on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, MO is the only North American institution fully devoted to immortalizing the life and work of Churchill.  The heart of the Museum is the magnificent Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a 17th century Christopher Wren church left in ruin from German bombings during World War II.  This beautiful house of worship was brought stone by stone from England to Westminster and restored on campus in 1969. 

Beneath the Church is a state-of-the-art Museum that combines interactive technology to tell Churchill’s story through sight, sound and touch.  In 2006, Chris Matthews, MSNBC commentator, was present at the opening of this new $4 million exhibition and said its ability to bring history to life in a dynamic, stimulating fashion was incredible and that it rivaled that of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

Adjacent to the National Churchill Museum stands a sculpture by Edwina Sandys, Churchill’s granddaughter, entitled “Breakthrough,” which was constructed from eight sections of the Berlin Wall to commemorate the demise of the “Iron Curtain” that Sir Winston had predicted.  Visitors may also enjoy the historic gymnasium where Churchill delivered his world famous “Iron Curtain Speech” in 1946 on another part of campus.

The National Churchill Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Regular admission prices are Adults-$6, Seniors-$5, College Students and Youth-$4, Children (6-11)-$3, and Children (5 and under)-free.