U.S. Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, spoke to attendees of a “Preservation Celebration” Sunday at the Barker House near Newport. The celebration was for the recent transfer of ownership of the Barker house to FJBJ (Friends of Joseph Barker Jr). (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

NEWPORT – People gathered under a tent Sunday at the historic home of Ohio pioneer Joseph Barker Jr. to celebrate the recent transfer of ownership of the Barker house from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to the Friends of Joseph Barker Jr. House (FJBJ) after a four-year preservation effort.

Those in attendance included U.S. Senator Rob Portman, ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, along with representatives of the FJBJ, Washington County Historical Society, Newport Township Trustees and others.

“It will be so awesome to bring this beautiful house back to life,” Portman said. “And not just bring the house back to life, but the important history of Washington County back to life, for our state, the northwest territory, for the United States, back to life for future generations. That’s what this is all about.”

The home, built in 1832, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is one of the few surviving homes built in Washington County by Barker’s father, Colonel Joseph Barker. In 2013, the Newport Township house was being considered for removal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A 2017 public meeting to further discuss possible demolition caught the attention of enough people that an effort began to preserve the building and finally transfer ownership to FJBJ.

“It’s tough to go against the recommendation of your team,” Portman said of R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works who’s advisors were saying it would be easier to demolish the building. “I get that, I get that. It’s just easier. But it’s not the right thing for preserving the history of this community, of our state, and really our country. Given what the northwest territory has meant to the rest of the country.”

People gathered behind the Barker House near Newport on Sunday for a “Preservation Celebration” as transfer of ownership to the the FJBJ (Friends of Joseph Barker Jr) was recently finalized. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Portman said James should be applauded for making the decision to preserve the house.

Johnson echoed what Portman said about James.

“If R.D. (James) had not made the decision he made, we would not be here today,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Col. Jason Putnam, a descendant of Rufus Putnam, should also be commended.

“I love it when lawmakers and officials look at the glass as half full, look at reasons to say yes, instead of trying to find a reason to say no,” Johnson said. “And that’s the way Jason (Putnam) and his team are down in the Huntington district. And I really appreciate that about them.”

U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-OH, spoke with a group Sunday at the Barker House near Newport as part of a “Preservation Celebration” celebrating the recent transfer of ownership of the Barker house to FJBJ (Friends of Joseph Barker Jr). (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Putnam thanked everyone for inviting him and said it was always interesting for him to see those pieces of his ancestry.

ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said he was thankful for being a part of this and it was wonderful to be in the area where some of his ancestors attended church.

“First free territory for African Americans in the country, right here, right here in Ohio, right here in Marietta and Washington County,” Marchbanks said. “I am so thankful to be a part of this.”

Washington County Commissioners Charles Shilling and James Booth presented the FJBJ with a $10,000 check towards future restoration and preservation, along with a $25,000 check from the Marietta Community Foundation.

The future of the Barker House is still in planning but a website has been setup to follow the progression at barkerhouse.org.