Melissa Mann, Director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, announced the appointment of Becky LaBarre as the new site administrator at Cornwall Iron Furnace. Ms. LaBarre will begin her appointment on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

In her new role, Ms. LaBarre will oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations and visitor services at Cornwall Iron Furnace. She will be responsible for fostering a welcoming environment, strengthening community partnerships, and upholding the highest standards of interpretation and preservation for this National Historic Landmark.

"We are thrilled to welcome Becky LaBarre to our leadership team and Cornwall Iron Furnace," said Melissa Mann, Director of the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums. "Becky’s twenty-year career in historic preservation, her entrepreneurial approach to museum leadership, and her specific expertise in interpreting 18th and 19th century cultural and industrial history make her uniquely qualified to lead this site. We are confident her vision will ensure Cornwall Iron Furnace resonates with modern audiences while preserving its vital place in American history."

Ms. LaBarre is a seasoned museum professional who has administered National Historic Landmark and National Register designated properties across Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. She specializes in uplifting material culture objects, process, buildings, and landscapes, to encourage conversations about the American experience, and to inspire visitors to make meaningful connections between the past and their own lives through authentic, engaging, and inclusive experiences.

Her professional background includes a deep focus on material culture, architectural heritage, and inclusive scholarship. She has extensive experience interpreting complex narratives, including industrial heritage, labor history, and the history of enslavement—themes that are central to the story of Cornwall Iron Furnace.

Ms. LaBarre holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Adrian College and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For the past nine years, she has resided in Adams County, Pennsylvania, where she lives in a pre-Civil War home with her husband, Steve, and their two rescue cats, Tillie and Mosby. An avid enthusiast of Early American decorative arts and historic foodways, she also volunteers as a living history interpreter.