Our Team

About Us

The development of the Braddock's Battlefield History Center over the past twenty years is a tribute to the passion and the dedication of its founder, Robert T. Messner, who felt that a key event of world military history and the history of southwestern Pennsylvania was fading from memory. Working with the Braddock Carnegie Library Association (formerly the Braddock's Field Historical Society), Mr. Messner sought to preserve and make more vivid - particularly to area school students - the story of the Battle of the Monongahela site. Enlarging on what had been accomplished, in 2018 Messner asked the Fort Ligonier Association to assume stewardship of the museum and its artifacts. A separate Board of Directors, for the BBHC, was created with the goal of making the History Center into a world-class museum and community event space.

Board of Directors

Dr. Charles Jacobina, President

George Washington University

Joanne M. Hanley, Vice President

Retired Exec. Dir., The Gettysburg Foundation

Jack Howell, Secretary

Asst. Principal,
Woodlands Hills School District

Vicki Vargo, Treasurer

Executive Director,
Braddock Carnegie Library

Ralph Kinney Bennett

Retired Asst. Managing Editor, Reader's Digest

Dr. Holly Mayer

Professor Emeritus of History,
Duquesne University

Dr. David Preston

Professor of National Security,
The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina

Cordelia Grabiak

K&L Gates LLP

Staff

Since 2018, under the management of Fort Ligonier's staff, the BBHC has sought to expand its outreach to history scholars, schools, and civic organizations to illuminate this epic event which helped define Western Pennsylvania and influenced military thinking in the American Revolution.

Mary Manges

Shawn MacIntyre

Executive Director

Operations Manager

Matthew Gault

Julie Donovan

Director of Education

Director of Marketing

Volunteer with the BBHC

The BBHC relies on its community of volunteers to keep the museum running and tell its vital stories. Volunteers assist with daily operations, back-of-house administration and historical work, school visits, and events. The BBHC staff is always looking for volunteer help at the museum. Get involved and help keep Pennsylvania history alive - start the application process below!