The National Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to announce the selection of Adam Foreman as the new Executive Director of the Shadows-on-the-Teche effective June 30, 2025. Foreman succeeds John Warner Smith, who retired in January.
About Foreman:
A native of Delcambre, Louisiana, Foreman brings to the position 22 years of experience in education, administration, interpretation, and strategic planning. He has held leadership roles at multiple historic sites and museums across the country, where he founded DEAI initiatives, developed community and education programs, and guided institutional strategic planning.
As the Senior Manager of Interpretation and Education at The Shadows, Foreman led a transformative shift in how the site tells its history, integrating the stories of enslaved individuals into each aspect of the visitor experience.
An active voice in the museum field, Foreman has served on the AASLH America250 education committee, is a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), and is a certified interpretive guide through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). A two-time graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he was recognized in 2024 as one of Iberia Parish’s top professionals under 40. He recently completed his dissertation at Valdosta State University titled “Overcoming Moonlight and Magnolias: Holistic Strategies for Recovering Enslaved Narratives in Plantation Museums.”
“I look forward to building on the progress we have made in the last two years,” says Foreman. “Despite concerns around federal and state funding, Shadows visitation continues to grow as we reconfirm our commitment to telling a more complete history of the site—one that confronts the legacies of slavery and amplifies the voices of families that shaped Iberia Parish.”
Foreman will be focusing his tenure on ensuring the future of the site by
- establishing financial substantiality through new fundraising strategies,
- building capacity through new volunteer activities, and
- fostering community engagement by continuing innovative public programs.
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